Miss Priss is just chilling out today. She's had a very good day so far and shows no signs of distress. They will do an EKG on her heart this afternoon to make sure all is good and they can resume feedings. We'll get the results when we go see her tonight. Of course, her heart is juuust fine. The nurse says they're surprised she doesn't have a heart murmur because it's very common in babies her age and size. That's God.
Janis/Gunner, she's going as the cutest baby in the world for Halloween. No costume necessary. :laugh:
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Day 6! WOOOO HOOOOO!!
When we got there last night, there was a lot of activity in Sydney’s room. Not good for our nerves! They said her heart rate kept dropping and they couldn’t find any reason for it. The doctor had just ordered an emergency X-Ray when we walked in and they were waiting on the tech to arrive. They wanted to check that she didn’t have any fluid in her lungs, and that her heart was ok. In the meantime, they turned her from her stomach to her back and that seemed to help a little.
I didn’t go with B to see her on Monday night because my doctor put me on bedrest because I had some minor recovery complications. Her nurse Linda, (who’s an angel from heaven) said, “She missed her Mommy. I think you need to give her a good talking to and let her know you’re here.” So, I did and would you believe it, she calmed right down?! :love: Her vital signs started improving immediately and her heart rate stabilized. Her Daddy put his hand on her and her body temp evened out.
They did the X-Ray anyway and got the results in two minutes. The scan looked even better than the one earlier that day. The doctors and nurses concluded that her parents need to squeeze a bed in her room and stay with her 24/7. :laugh: They also suspect that she’s reallllly not a fan of being on her tummy, which is something most other preemies love. She just dares to be different. I wonder who she gets that from.
She also met her Grandy last night. :love:
This morning she’s still doing well. No issues overnight at all and all her blood work, blood gases and ph levels look great. She's also only depending on the oxygen assistance 25% of the time. She’s getting to be a such a big girl!
I didn’t go with B to see her on Monday night because my doctor put me on bedrest because I had some minor recovery complications. Her nurse Linda, (who’s an angel from heaven) said, “She missed her Mommy. I think you need to give her a good talking to and let her know you’re here.” So, I did and would you believe it, she calmed right down?! :love: Her vital signs started improving immediately and her heart rate stabilized. Her Daddy put his hand on her and her body temp evened out.
They did the X-Ray anyway and got the results in two minutes. The scan looked even better than the one earlier that day. The doctors and nurses concluded that her parents need to squeeze a bed in her room and stay with her 24/7. :laugh: They also suspect that she’s reallllly not a fan of being on her tummy, which is something most other preemies love. She just dares to be different. I wonder who she gets that from.
She also met her Grandy last night. :love:
This morning she’s still doing well. No issues overnight at all and all her blood work, blood gases and ph levels look great. She's also only depending on the oxygen assistance 25% of the time. She’s getting to be a such a big girl!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
What a difference a little oxygen makes...
I don't think we have taken a deep breath since we made the first call this morning. Miss Sydney is doing muuuuch better now. They say they've found just the oxygen level she needs to keep her happy and her most recent blood gases came back great! Her vital signs are good and she's looking much more comfortable. She got a little pale overnight but now her colour has returned and she's quite relaxed. Her jaundice is gone and they have turned off her moisture tank so that's two less things that are being done to her.
Her doc suspended feedings for the next 24 hours and she's back on a full IV feeding because he doesn't want her to have to deal with trying to digest anything right now. They're giving her a break from anything that will cause her to work too hard. They also checked her and she had a mucous build up and they were just about to give her some medicine so she could poop it all out but she pooped on her own just before they did it. Yay!!
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. - Psalm 118:17
Her doc suspended feedings for the next 24 hours and she's back on a full IV feeding because he doesn't want her to have to deal with trying to digest anything right now. They're giving her a break from anything that will cause her to work too hard. They also checked her and she had a mucous build up and they were just about to give her some medicine so she could poop it all out but she pooped on her own just before they did it. Yay!!
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. - Psalm 118:17
Just checked on her again...
They haven't done another blood gas test yet because she's resting comfortably now and they want to give her some time because of the night she's had. Her vital signs are stable and she was being given another feeding while I was on the phone.
They also started her on a small amt of antibiotics as a precaution since her blood cells were a tiny bit off. They want to stop/prevent any possible infections BEFORE they even think of starting.
We can't wait to see her tonight...
They also started her on a small amt of antibiotics as a precaution since her blood cells were a tiny bit off. They want to stop/prevent any possible infections BEFORE they even think of starting.
We can't wait to see her tonight...
Another FYI
Our friend just passed on this info as well:
Also, you can subscribe to this blog using your favorite RSS reader and this URL...http://sydneysjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default. That way you are instantly updated of any new posts.
My RSS reader of choice is my google home page (igoogle) but most popular modern email software have RSS readers built in...as does firefox.
To use igoogle, make google your homepage then just sign up for a personalized Google home page at google.com and add the above url to your customized home page...that way every time you open your browser you get instant updates on your interests/fave things. Little Sydney is in my top left...so I always know what's going on.
Thanks Ryan!
Also, you can subscribe to this blog using your favorite RSS reader and this URL...http://sydneysjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default. That way you are instantly updated of any new posts.
My RSS reader of choice is my google home page (igoogle) but most popular modern email software have RSS readers built in...as does firefox.
To use igoogle, make google your homepage then just sign up for a personalized Google home page at google.com and add the above url to your customized home page...that way every time you open your browser you get instant updates on your interests/fave things. Little Sydney is in my top left...so I always know what's going on.
Thanks Ryan!
Day 5!
Sydney had a rough night but is doing a bit better this morning. She was still struggling to breathe on her own and it started affecting her vital signs. Her blood gases (Carbon Dioxide etc) were still off so they had to intubate (put the breathing tube back in) and they say she looks a lot more comfortable now. While I was on the phone they got the result of the most recent blood gas test and the doc says it looks a little better but they want to see more improvement. They will check her again in 2 hours and see where she's at.
They also gave her some blood to keep her blood count cells up since her red cell count was low. They will see how she responds to that in about 24 hours.
She did poop again during the night so they're happy with that.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm139: 13-16
They also gave her some blood to keep her blood count cells up since her red cell count was low. They will see how she responds to that in about 24 hours.
She did poop again during the night so they're happy with that.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm139: 13-16
Monday, October 29, 2007
Our girly girl is still doing well.
Her nurse says that she didn't digest some of the milk at the last feeding so they will lower the frequency again tonight and reevaluate tomorrow. It was just a little too much for her at this point. She's still breathing without being intubated so her lungs are getting lots of exercise. Heart rate is steady and averages about 142 beats per minute.
They would like to see her poop again during the night but if not they will give her some medicine to make her go. Bring on the poop!
Her nurse says that she didn't digest some of the milk at the last feeding so they will lower the frequency again tonight and reevaluate tomorrow. It was just a little too much for her at this point. She's still breathing without being intubated so her lungs are getting lots of exercise. Heart rate is steady and averages about 142 beats per minute.
They would like to see her poop again during the night but if not they will give her some medicine to make her go. Bring on the poop!
Afternoon Update
They weighed her and she's still the same weight - 1lb 8oz so she hasn't lost any but they figure it will take a few more days to see her back to birth weight because she's pooping. She's still trying to regulate her breathing so they turned the respirator on to help her pace herself but she's still doing most of the work herself. The great thing is that she's still not back on the ventilator, which involves intubating her. They did a chest X-ray this morning and everything looked good and her organs showed no signs of distress. Thank God.
They also increased her feedings from every 6 hours to every 3. Yay!!!! She's getting the same dose each time, just with more frequency.
She's such a little fighter and God's taking good care of her.
They also increased her feedings from every 6 hours to every 3. Yay!!!! She's getting the same dose each time, just with more frequency.
She's such a little fighter and God's taking good care of her.
FYI...
You don't have to be a member of blogspot/blogger.com in order to leave comments if you wish. You can use anonymous and sign your name at the end or click "other" and sign your name.
Thanks again for mentioning that, Dianna!
Thanks again for mentioning that, Dianna!
Day 4!
Just received the first update of the day.
Sydney had a good night and even received another feeding very early this morning. She's still breathing on her own and not back on the ventilator. Her nurse says she "only" had three heart rate drops during the night, which is significantly less than the other two nights that she was breathing on her own. She's tolerated being on her back, sides and tummy and no position seems to affect her vital signs at all and her breathing and heart rate remain steady.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. - Romans 8:18
More later...
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Progress Report
When we got to the hospital today they told us that Sydney's sugar levels were a bit high so they were lowering her glucose dosage to see if it would go back down. By the time we were leaving everything was perfect!
She undergoes blood testing twice daily and the morning test revealed that she is struggling a bit with breathing on her own. Her Carbon Dioxide levels were high, indicating that she wasn't breathing it out fast enough. Their goal is to monitor her and see if she will learn to regulate her breathing on her own soon but if she doesn't she will need to go back on the ventilator. If she needs help, she needs help. They were getting ready to test her again when we were leaving so I'll get the results tomorrow morning.
She also had her first dose of breastmilk this morning and they only gave her a very small amount to see how well she would tolerate it. Her body digested it all. Yay! They gave her a second feeding while we were there and she showed no issues with it at all.
We also had our first poopy diaper today!! They say that the breastmilk probably helped because of all the natural enzymes in it. While we were watching her, her heart rate kept fluctuating and they could not figure out what was going on with her. When she settled back down they did a head to toe check on her and realized that her heart rate was unsteady because she was working so hard to poop! :laugh: Hey, it happens with adults too!
She gets weighed at midnight so I'll check that in the morning as well. Since she pooped it may be slightly skewed but she's still doing well.
Keep on praying for her...she thrives on it.
She undergoes blood testing twice daily and the morning test revealed that she is struggling a bit with breathing on her own. Her Carbon Dioxide levels were high, indicating that she wasn't breathing it out fast enough. Their goal is to monitor her and see if she will learn to regulate her breathing on her own soon but if she doesn't she will need to go back on the ventilator. If she needs help, she needs help. They were getting ready to test her again when we were leaving so I'll get the results tomorrow morning.
She also had her first dose of breastmilk this morning and they only gave her a very small amount to see how well she would tolerate it. Her body digested it all. Yay! They gave her a second feeding while we were there and she showed no issues with it at all.
We also had our first poopy diaper today!! They say that the breastmilk probably helped because of all the natural enzymes in it. While we were watching her, her heart rate kept fluctuating and they could not figure out what was going on with her. When she settled back down they did a head to toe check on her and realized that her heart rate was unsteady because she was working so hard to poop! :laugh: Hey, it happens with adults too!
She gets weighed at midnight so I'll check that in the morning as well. Since she pooped it may be slightly skewed but she's still doing well.
Keep on praying for her...she thrives on it.
PERFECT!!
This song PERFECTLY describes how B and I feel about this whole situation.
Bring The Rain
(Band):MercyMe
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am yours regardless of the clouds that may loom above
because you are much greater than my pain
you who made a way for me suffering your destiny
So tell me, whats a little rain?
[1st Chorus]Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holyis the lord God almightyis the lord God almightyI'm forever singing
Holy holy holyyou are holy you are holy [2nd Chorus 2x]
Listen to the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU
Also check out this link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=OVT2-vXXxME
Bring The Rain
(Band):MercyMe
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am yours regardless of the clouds that may loom above
because you are much greater than my pain
you who made a way for me suffering your destiny
So tell me, whats a little rain?
[1st Chorus]Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holyis the lord God almightyis the lord God almightyI'm forever singing
Holy holy holyyou are holy you are holy [2nd Chorus 2x]
Listen to the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU
Also check out this link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=OVT2-vXXxME
October 28, 2007 12:15p.m.
just found this on the camera. I wasn't there so he must have done it when he went to get a form signed for me. :love:
http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g205/beeshoney/?action=view¤t=Videosto102707002.flv
http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g205/beeshoney/?action=view¤t=Videosto102707002.flv
October 28, 2007 7:37 a.m.
Brian practically had to pry me away from the hospital last night. They discharged me at 7 p.m. but I kept finding things to do to hang around there. Finally when I started getting light headed at about 10:00 he dragged me out of there kicking and screaming. Of course, on the way home he was all, "I can't stop thinking about her. It's like she's right here and I have to remind myself that I'm driving."
I don't have my personal rented breast pump yet so I've had to use the manual pump since we've been home. It's a lot more efficient than I thought it would be and I'm still getting the same amount of milk as when I used the electric one. It's just way more time consuming and labour intensive. I'm going to make use of the Pumping Room at the hospital today so that my boobies don't slack off and start decreasing supply.
When we were leaving last night they had just removed her breathing tube and she was breathing on her own again. It doesn't mean she's just laying there with her mouth and nose open because they keep her on a backup respirator juuuust in case her lungs decide to take a break. I'm so amazed at the technology that's available to care for these tiny miracles. Her vitals are being monitored every second of every day and at the very slightest hint of distress an alarm sounds and someone comes running. I've seen the alarm go crazy the instant she pulled off her temp probe and as soon as the water in her moisture tank hit .25 inches. Amazing.
I just called and checked on her and she did have a few moments overnight when her lungs got tired but her heartrate never dropped at all. She's doing well now and the nurse said she's sleeping but moving around. She did lose some weight (as all babies do after birth) and she weighs 1lb 8oz now. That's 1.5lbs! I'm praying she gets back up near birth weight by the end of week 1. She's definitely thriving because of all the love and prayers of so many people, some who have never even met us in person. We are just overwhelmed by all the support around us because it has been above and beyond anything we EVER expected.
Ephesians 3:20-21
I don't have my personal rented breast pump yet so I've had to use the manual pump since we've been home. It's a lot more efficient than I thought it would be and I'm still getting the same amount of milk as when I used the electric one. It's just way more time consuming and labour intensive. I'm going to make use of the Pumping Room at the hospital today so that my boobies don't slack off and start decreasing supply.
When we were leaving last night they had just removed her breathing tube and she was breathing on her own again. It doesn't mean she's just laying there with her mouth and nose open because they keep her on a backup respirator juuuust in case her lungs decide to take a break. I'm so amazed at the technology that's available to care for these tiny miracles. Her vitals are being monitored every second of every day and at the very slightest hint of distress an alarm sounds and someone comes running. I've seen the alarm go crazy the instant she pulled off her temp probe and as soon as the water in her moisture tank hit .25 inches. Amazing.
I just called and checked on her and she did have a few moments overnight when her lungs got tired but her heartrate never dropped at all. She's doing well now and the nurse said she's sleeping but moving around. She did lose some weight (as all babies do after birth) and she weighs 1lb 8oz now. That's 1.5lbs! I'm praying she gets back up near birth weight by the end of week 1. She's definitely thriving because of all the love and prayers of so many people, some who have never even met us in person. We are just overwhelmed by all the support around us because it has been above and beyond anything we EVER expected.
Ephesians 3:20-21
October 27, 2007 5:09 p.m.
This is what a preemie diaper looks like. And these were kinda big on her too
Folded, they are about the size of a RAZR phone.
Folded, they are about the size of a RAZR phone.
Just got back from another visit. She has a touch of neonatal (preemie) jaundice so they have her under the blue lights to get it corrected. She's wearing an eye patch to protect her eyes and she does.not.like.it. She was trying to pull it off the whole time we were there.
The most awesome nurse ever, allowed me to take her temp (scary!) and we changed her diaper! They're sooo tiny and I was so afraid of breaking her. She's peeing like a champ so that's good. They weigh every changed diaper to make sure that she's also peeing enough.
October 27, 2007 12:29 p.m.
WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Her heart valve is CLOSED!!
That is all.
She's a feisty little booger too. I'm not sure where she got that from. The nurses say she gets all :taebo: whenever they check on her wires and IV and it's especially worse if she's sleeping. Her mother may be quite the cranky butt when her sleep is disturbed too.
Her heart valve is CLOSED!!
That is all.
She's a feisty little booger too. I'm not sure where she got that from. The nurses say she gets all :taebo: whenever they check on her wires and IV and it's especially worse if she's sleeping. Her mother may be quite the cranky butt when her sleep is disturbed too.
October 27, 2007 10:42 a.m.
I can do Kangaroo Care here. If she is well enough we can start as early as 28 weeks. Yes!!
http://www.prematurity.org/baby/kangaroo.html
http://www.prematurity.org/baby/kangaroo.html
October 27, 2007
Lactation Consultants rock my world!!
When I think about how great the entire staff of this hospital is, I feel sooo blessed! As soon as I gave birth they asked me if I planned to breastfeed and within an hour a LC was in my room with a pump and she stayed with me for over an hour and explained EVERYTHING in detail. I was pumping less than 3 hours after giving birth. :love: I've also passed colostrum stage and I'm getting actual milk now too. They came to check on me twice yesterday and they have already been in here once this morning and it wasn't even 9:00 yet! LCs are my superheroes today but everyone in the healthcare industry is a superhero.
I was supposed to be discharged at 10 a.m but my doc instructed them to keep me here until 7 p.m. so I could get some more time with my angel. :love: She had a good night and she was sleeping when we went to check on her earlier. We're just waiting on them to do the ultrasound on her heart today and make sure she's ok.
Oh! Her middle name is Elizabeth. We decided to give her a middle name that starts with E in honour of both her grandmothers whose middle names both start with E. Elizabeth means God is my oath and that's what we believe. Sydney Elizabeth is meant to be here. God chose us to be her parents and she will fulfill her purpose on earth.
When I think about how great the entire staff of this hospital is, I feel sooo blessed! As soon as I gave birth they asked me if I planned to breastfeed and within an hour a LC was in my room with a pump and she stayed with me for over an hour and explained EVERYTHING in detail. I was pumping less than 3 hours after giving birth. :love: I've also passed colostrum stage and I'm getting actual milk now too. They came to check on me twice yesterday and they have already been in here once this morning and it wasn't even 9:00 yet! LCs are my superheroes today but everyone in the healthcare industry is a superhero.
I was supposed to be discharged at 10 a.m but my doc instructed them to keep me here until 7 p.m. so I could get some more time with my angel. :love: She had a good night and she was sleeping when we went to check on her earlier. We're just waiting on them to do the ultrasound on her heart today and make sure she's ok.
Oh! Her middle name is Elizabeth. We decided to give her a middle name that starts with E in honour of both her grandmothers whose middle names both start with E. Elizabeth means God is my oath and that's what we believe. Sydney Elizabeth is meant to be here. God chose us to be her parents and she will fulfill her purpose on earth.
October 26, 2007
Our baby girl is 1 day old today! So far she's doing really well and we're just being optimistic that it will continue. She is meant to be here and she will be healthy. I get heartsick when I think about leaving her in the hospital for 3 months but B and I have decided that in the grand scheme of things, 3 months is a really short time. Whatever it takes to make and keep her healthy.
We're going to take pics of her weekly to track her progress and see how she's improving. We'll be at the hospital twice per day to see her, hoping to spend about 7 hours per day with her. She still sleeps a lot so we don't want to interrupt that either and I want to make sure she keeps warm and protected for now. Tomorrow she has a heart ultrasound to check that a valve in her heart closed. Typically, newborns do it on their own but some preemies need a little help. We're praying and believing that it already closed and that she will continue to thrive. The doctors and nurses know all three of us by name already and we're confident that she is in the best hands.
Today's pic will be her first and then we'll do another one next week.
We're going to take pics of her weekly to track her progress and see how she's improving. We'll be at the hospital twice per day to see her, hoping to spend about 7 hours per day with her. She still sleeps a lot so we don't want to interrupt that either and I want to make sure she keeps warm and protected for now. Tomorrow she has a heart ultrasound to check that a valve in her heart closed. Typically, newborns do it on their own but some preemies need a little help. We're praying and believing that it already closed and that she will continue to thrive. The doctors and nurses know all three of us by name already and we're confident that she is in the best hands.
Today's pic will be her first and then we'll do another one next week.
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