3.1.16

“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”
Dr. Seuss

Dear Ethan,
Thank you for being my first friend.
Thank you for always letting me know you were in the room by my side with a faint machine ding.
Thank you for helping me through the first scary times.
Thank you for running distractions on the nurses when it was time for my heel stick.
Thank you for setting a great example of strength and fortitude.
Thank you for allowing our parents to meet and share each other’s fears and dreams inside and out of our nursery.
Thank you for showing me how to grow big and strong.
Thank you for leading the way out of here.
I’ll see you on the other side my friend.
Love,
Jack

This week we celebrate our buddy Ethan as he graduates from the NICU. He was born a month before Jack at the same time of their pregnancy (24 weeks) and were both the exact same birth weight – 770 grams (1 lbs 11 oz).  They’ve been through similar battlefields during their time together and have proved to everyone their determination. There is a memory we have from our first parents support group of Ethan’s parents that we will hold in our hearts forever. It’s private but our wish is to see them at both our children’s college graduations and tell them ‘see? they did it!’
A journey in the NICU is one we wouldn’t wish on anyone, regardless of length. When you’re on this journey for as long as some of us have been- you find each other in the dark. You help each other find your way. You laugh as hard as possible in between the scary moments to drown out the fears. And when you happen to be placed in the isolette next to a wonderful family – you cheer so loud for their milestones, you cry just as hard for their burdens and when you hear the words ‘discharge date’ you get the wind back in your sails. Today is a celebration for all of us that have loved Ethan and his family from day one.
Ethan- This is just the beginning of your wonderful life. Oh, the places you will go!

 

18 weeks old (actual age) | 2 weeks old (adjusted) 

weight: 4,310 (9 lb 8 oz)| height: 21.5 inches

Respiratory–Jack is slowly weaning down his nasal cannula Oxygen requirements.  Last week he required 28-30%, this week he is at 24-27%.  He needs to get down to 21% and then lose the 1 liter flow of Oxygen that also assists.

Brain Bleed (Grade IV) – Head ultrasound has been stable for a little while now so will continue to monitor every other week.

Eyes– ROP Plus disease after the laser treatment has been regressing. Jack might need a touch up laser treatment down the road but as of now, not necessary!

Feeds– Jack has been doing great with his PO (by mouth) feeds this week! The Doctors are now allowing (as of this morning) to bottle and breastfeed all his feeds as tolerated.  This is a lot of work for Jack, since he is used to getting all 8 feeds through his tube down to his belly.  Now he needs to stay awake, remember how to suck, swallow and breathe without forgetting one of those crucial elements and having a bradycardia episode.  We will build up his stamina for this over the next few weeks but we have hope this child will figure out the way to keep the food down successfully.  You don’t get to 9+ pounds by accident.  This boy is here to chow!

Happy 18th week/2nd week corrected Jack Attack! We love ya man!

 

 

 

 

 

I know you are awake down there!