On Saturday night Jace McDougal passed away. He was 7 weeks old. Our hearts are broken for his parents JR & Cher McDougal. God will be faithful and give them added grace and mercy just as he has given Steve and I since losing Christopher.
Please pray for JR and Cher during this time. JR and Cher shared this very intimate journey with all of us.
They have information on visitation on Jace's web site. www.jacemcdougal.wordpress.com
I know all of Jace's family that has gone on to heaven before him welcomed him with loving open arms, and I know Christopher probably gave him a high 5 on the way in.
Romans 8:18
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
Praise God.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Say what?
Stevie Stats: Friday June 27
5 lbs 15.9 oz (let's just call it 6lbs!)
Stevie is doing awesome. Praise God. Thank you for the prayers because we have been blessed beyond belief.
The nurse practitioner spoke with me yesterday going over Stevie's progress, and future orders and then told me if Stevie follows everything she needs to do she can come home NEXT WEEK! I thought they were going to have to give me a lunch bag to breathe in. No, I was so excited, and SO nervous.
They started yesterday on 5 bottle feeds per day. They hope by Sunday or Monday she'll be taking all 8 feeds by bottle, and Tuesday or Wednesday night we'll be able to do our parent overnight stay and take her home the following day. Friends, I can't tell you how excited, over-joyed, happy Steve and I are. Just to have our child in our own home will be such an amazing gift!
Stevie still has the following things to do within the next few days:
car seat check: after she eats they will place her in her car seat for over an hour to make sure she is okay and can breathe okay.
hepatitis vaccine: she needs to get her hep B series of vaccines
eye exam: she'll have her 2nd eye exam on Monday to see how her optical vessels are developing
hearing screen: stevie was super fussy during the first hearing screen so they had to re-schedule. I can't wait to see her in the little hearing ear-muffs.
echo cardiogram: they will do another echo cardiogram to check Stevie's PDA valve. At 29 weeks they found that Stevie's valve was open - called PDA - valve that should be closed in newborns as they only need this valve to direct blood flow when they are in utero. They did not detect any murmur after 5 days - HUGE prayer answered, but they want to check before she leaves that indeed it still is not a problem. Please pray that indeed it isn't!
Happy Friday - we'll continue to keep you updated, and please pray for Steve and I over the next few days and weeks as we prepare for her to come home.
Love,
Erin
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thursday June 26
Stevie Stats:
Weight - 5 lbs 14.7 oz
Little Stevie is doing great. She continues to make progress each day. We're so very thankful.
She is still at 4 bottle feeds per day, and yesterday she completed all 4 of her feeds (nothing was left to put through her feeding tube). She completed each bottle in approx 25 minutes. Yesterday morning during her 8am feeding I stared in amazement that she finished so quickly! She even had a good giant burp for me. I know it sounds crazy that I am excited over a burp, but I am!
I'll take some new pictures of her today and load them up tonight.
Have a great Thursday! Please continue to keep Jace McDougal in your prayers. I'm telling you - God is up to something big in that child's life. God is definitely answering our prayers. www.jacemcdougal.wordpress.com
Love,
Erin
Weight - 5 lbs 14.7 oz
Little Stevie is doing great. She continues to make progress each day. We're so very thankful.
She is still at 4 bottle feeds per day, and yesterday she completed all 4 of her feeds (nothing was left to put through her feeding tube). She completed each bottle in approx 25 minutes. Yesterday morning during her 8am feeding I stared in amazement that she finished so quickly! She even had a good giant burp for me. I know it sounds crazy that I am excited over a burp, but I am!
I'll take some new pictures of her today and load them up tonight.
Have a great Thursday! Please continue to keep Jace McDougal in your prayers. I'm telling you - God is up to something big in that child's life. God is definitely answering our prayers. www.jacemcdougal.wordpress.com
Love,
Erin
Monday, June 23, 2008
Monday June 23
Stevie Stats: 5 lbs 11.8 oz
Our baby is getting ginormous.
She's steadily gaining weight. Her ticket out of the NICU is now to get through her feedings. They still have her on 4 bottle feeds per day. Right now she is completing most of them, but they are still giving her the remainder through her feeding tube. Between gaining weight, and working hard on eating from a bottle Stevie is exhausted (like mommy and daddy). I haven't really seen her open her eyes too much over the past 2 days.
The nurse practitioner told me today that in a week or so Stevie will have no problems with her feeds and most likely take all of them.
We're starting to get information on Stevie's departure from the hospital. It is so great to talk about Stevie leaving the hospital soon - I once thought that day wouldn't get here! They are getting everything in order because it will be soon!
Tonight's video feature is of Steve burping Stevie during her 8pm feed. She sounds like a miniature billy goat. It's hysterical (at least to us it is).
Thank you for continuing to pray for Stevie, and pray for us too.
Love, Erin
Our baby is getting ginormous.
She's steadily gaining weight. Her ticket out of the NICU is now to get through her feedings. They still have her on 4 bottle feeds per day. Right now she is completing most of them, but they are still giving her the remainder through her feeding tube. Between gaining weight, and working hard on eating from a bottle Stevie is exhausted (like mommy and daddy). I haven't really seen her open her eyes too much over the past 2 days.
The nurse practitioner told me today that in a week or so Stevie will have no problems with her feeds and most likely take all of them.
We're starting to get information on Stevie's departure from the hospital. It is so great to talk about Stevie leaving the hospital soon - I once thought that day wouldn't get here! They are getting everything in order because it will be soon!
Tonight's video feature is of Steve burping Stevie during her 8pm feed. She sounds like a miniature billy goat. It's hysterical (at least to us it is).
Thank you for continuing to pray for Stevie, and pray for us too.
Love, Erin
Friday, June 20, 2008
Sunday June 22
Stevie Stats:
Weight - 5 lbs 8 oz (a big weight gain)
It's been a big weekend. They have taken Stevie off caffiene, and they removed one of the sensors that monitors the oxygen level in her blood. This sensor is the one that alerted us to when Stevie was having desat's. Since she has been having desats primarily with feedings they removed the monitor - her heart rate was not dropping when she desat'd so they felt confident to remove it. I was nervous because rely on this monitor to know what is happening with her oxygen levels. They still have her hooked up to the monitor to see her heart rate and breathing rate.
Now when we are feeding her we have to pay close attention to her coloring, and if she starts to turn a little blue-ish we know she needs to stop, take a break, and breathe to catch up.
So between taking her oxygen nose tube off last week, and taking the pulse-oxygen monitor off - last week was big in many ways. It's really making us lean on faith knowing she's okay, without a monitor confirming this. We know the nurses are keeping a close eye on her at all times too.
She really is doing amazing and I know it's because God is answering our prayers and getting her through this time. She is now up to 4 bottle feeds a day and up to 50ml per bottle. She is about 75% on these bottle feeds right now. It's exhausting for her to get through these, so now that we're piling them on she's super tired. She can do it though. It won't be long now before she can come home - if she continues to progress and do great she could be home in 2 weeks!!
Thank you again for the prayers, support, and kind notes & emails. It means the world to us.
Much love,
Erin
Thursday, June 19, 2008
June 19 Thursday
Stevie Stats - she turned 35 weeks old today (in gestational age)
Weight - 5 lbs 2.8 oz
We're thankful again for a great day. Stevie did a good job with her bottle at 8am this morning. She started a little slow and the nurse told me that I was distracting her by talking to her while she was eating (was i?). I guess she was right. After I shut my trap Stevie chugged her milk like the rock star eater she is. I was able to talk to her while I burped her, bless her heart. SO, I'll continue to try the "no talking while eating" method tomorrow.
The dr increased her bottle feeds to 3 times a day. It really does feel like there is an end in sight. I asked the dr today if they could give me a tentative timeline of when they think Stevie can come home. The dr replied that Stevie has to be off her caffeine, and not having her apnea and heart-rate drop episodes. This in addition to taking 8 of 8 bottle feeds a day WITHOUT having issues. So this could be 2 weeks or longer. We're not pushing it, we're just taking it a day at a time. The fact that Stevie was taken off oxygen yesterday is a big milestone.
We'll take one step at a time.
Thank you for continuing to pray for her. She is such a cool little thing. We just love her so much. Being a mom is the best.
Also - thanks so much for keeping Jace McDougal in your prayers. He had such a good day yesterday, prayers were answered.
Love,
Erin
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wednesday June 18
Stevie Stats: Weight - 5 lbs 1.1 oz
She's broken the 5lb barrier!
Now - we're on to 6lbs!
Stevie had a good day today. Praise God. I'm thankful for every good day, and I'm thankful for the awesome nurses and doctors that take such good care of her. I know she is in good hands. Stevie had a good bottle feed at 11am today. She only took 25ml of 45 - it's still great that she took over half her bottle. She can't be a bottle feed rock-star all the time. We'll see how she does during her 8pm feed. We don't want to push her too much, she will get there in good time.
They also removed her oxygen tube from her nose today. They are testing her to see how she'll do, and if she passes then no more oxygen tube. Her big hurdle will be getting through her feeds without having breathing problems.
Please pray she'll continue to make amazing progress and for God's favor to cover her. I'm putting a video below so you can see more of her sweet little face. Happy Wednesday.
Love, Erin
She's broken the 5lb barrier!
Now - we're on to 6lbs!
Stevie had a good day today. Praise God. I'm thankful for every good day, and I'm thankful for the awesome nurses and doctors that take such good care of her. I know she is in good hands. Stevie had a good bottle feed at 11am today. She only took 25ml of 45 - it's still great that she took over half her bottle. She can't be a bottle feed rock-star all the time. We'll see how she does during her 8pm feed. We don't want to push her too much, she will get there in good time.
They also removed her oxygen tube from her nose today. They are testing her to see how she'll do, and if she passes then no more oxygen tube. Her big hurdle will be getting through her feeds without having breathing problems.
Please pray she'll continue to make amazing progress and for God's favor to cover her. I'm putting a video below so you can see more of her sweet little face. Happy Wednesday.
Love, Erin
Pray for Jace
Good morning. For anyone who is reading Stevie's blog this morning I want to ask that you will please pray for little Jace McDougal at this very moment. Please pray for his mom and dad too (JR and Cher). This is such a precious family.
JR updated Jace's web page this morning - please vist and pray as you feel led. I'm praying that GOD will breathe renewed energy and strength into Jace's little body today, and that HE will provide a miracle today. All things are possible.
www.jacemcdougal.wordpress.com
JR updated Jace's web page this morning - please vist and pray as you feel led. I'm praying that GOD will breathe renewed energy and strength into Jace's little body today, and that HE will provide a miracle today. All things are possible.
www.jacemcdougal.wordpress.com
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday June 17
Stevie Stats:
Weight - 4lbs 15.8oz (almost 5lbs! only .2 oz to go!)
Stevie had a great day. She did a good job with her bottle feed at 8am this morning. I did a better job burping her today (she didn't throw up on me or the dr today). They will do her 2nd bottle feed at 8pm tonight.
Before her 8am feed she pulled her feeding tube out of her nose. She grabs her nasal tube and feeding tubes like it's a handlebar. Let me tell you - when the nurse put her feeding tube back in Stevie was NOT a happy camper. She was so upset, which made me upset, but we both got over it as quick as it started. The above picture shows how much Stevie likes to touch her face, and is evidence that she likes to grab her nasal tube.
The dr also ordered her oxygen flow setting to be decreased today, and he increased her feeds to 42ml (up from 40ml). Her Apnea spells (which cause the desats) - seemed to be better today - please keep praying she'll grow out of these soon. We have faith in good time she will.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday June 16
Stevie Stats:
Weight - 4lbs 15.6oz (WOO HOO - we almost have a 5lb baby!)
Today was a great day. I was able to really help with her bath. We weren't able to help with her last bath due to timing. Stevie is going to be a spa girl I just know it. She was so chilled and relaxed.
She is still having her apnea and desat moments (when she plays the "let's not breathe" game. They seem to be getting better BUT it still freaks us out. Again we're assured she will grow out of this. She is was on a lower oxygen amount today - each day gets a little better.
Stevie did an excellent job with her 8am bottle feed, and not so great during her 2nd bottle feed at 5pm. They said since she got a bath in the middle of the day it tired her out too much. She is still at 40ml of food. During her 5pm she took about 17ml, and then the nurse had to put the rest through her feeding tube.
Please keep us in your prayers for a very speedy recovery for Stevie, and that she'll grow stronger each day. Also pray her bottle feedings continue to be successful. Please also continue to pray for the McDougals. Jace is stable. Please visit his blog www.jacemcdougal.wordpress.com - they have set up a credit system for blood donations with Carter.
Love,
Erin
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sunday June 15 - 1st Bottle Feed
Stevie's Stats: Weight - 4lbs 14.3oz (2219 grams)
Stevie had her very first bottle today and she did amazing. She is now eating 40ml of milk, and today on her very first bottle she was able to eat 32ml! We were all so excited - including the nurse. I will go back to the hospital for her 5pm feeding and we'll try again. We're attaching the video of Steve bottle feeding her for the first time!
For now we will try to feed her by mouth 2x a day. The other 6 feedings will go through her feeding tube. She isn't strong enough yet to do all 8 feedings by mouth, and even when we bottle feed or breastfeed she may not take her entire 40ml feeding so they will put the balance of her feed through her tube.
The dr increased her caffiene today to help her breathing. She seems to be having a better day today with her apnea spells. Most of the day on Friday her alarms were going off because she kept desat'ng (means the oxygen level in her body goes low since she doesn't have an oxygen store yet). I think Steve and I were at our wits end by the time we left on Friday night. For every improvement we are THRILLED and THANKFUL!
Stevie had her very first bottle today and she did amazing. She is now eating 40ml of milk, and today on her very first bottle she was able to eat 32ml! We were all so excited - including the nurse. I will go back to the hospital for her 5pm feeding and we'll try again. We're attaching the video of Steve bottle feeding her for the first time!
For now we will try to feed her by mouth 2x a day. The other 6 feedings will go through her feeding tube. She isn't strong enough yet to do all 8 feedings by mouth, and even when we bottle feed or breastfeed she may not take her entire 40ml feeding so they will put the balance of her feed through her tube.
The dr increased her caffiene today to help her breathing. She seems to be having a better day today with her apnea spells. Most of the day on Friday her alarms were going off because she kept desat'ng (means the oxygen level in her body goes low since she doesn't have an oxygen store yet). I think Steve and I were at our wits end by the time we left on Friday night. For every improvement we are THRILLED and THANKFUL!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Friday June 13th - Stevie's Photo Shoot Day
Stevie's Stats for today:
Weight 4lbs 11.1oz (2130 grams)
**Only 5.9oz to go and we'll have a 5lb baby!**
We are starting to work with Stevie on her feedings - whether we decide to breastfeed or bottle feed. We tried yesterday at 2pm and she did pretty well, and we'll try again today at her 5pm feeding. Everyone has different opinions on the breastfeeding vs bottle feeding. Seriously - each person I have spoken with at the hospital has varying opinions. We're going to let Stevie decide what works best for her at this point. Her oxygen settings are still between 21% - 28%. The past few days she has been ranging between 25% - 28% - the dr said it is reflux from her feedings. Stevie still has a feeding tube, but they have moved it back to her nose so her mouth is free and clear for "feeding training". They put her feeds in a large syringe and hook it up to a timed pump. Her feedings were given over the time of 2hrs, and now just within a few days she is down to a 60 minute feed.
We're still praying for her daily that she will grow out of her apnea (desat) and brady spells soon. Lord willing this will be soon.
Today was a really special day because Stevie had her first professional pictures taken in the comfort of her little section in the NICU (the photo above is not Patti's). Patti Brown who is one of my sorority sisters from East Texas State is an AWESOME photographer. She is in town from Virginia and offered to take Stevie's pictures while she was here. We had a really great time with Stevie, and I think Stevie enjoyed herself being naked for a while. I can't wait to see how they turn out. Patti's website is www.pattibrownphotography.com - really amazing stuff. THANK YOU PATTI!!
Happy Father's Day to all you dad's. To my DAD - thanks for taking such good care of us. To my brothers who are now dad's - you are both amazing fathers and it's been a blessing to watch you raise your children. To Grand Pa Pair - your a super father in law. To my sweet husband - so thankful to have you, and you are an amazing husband and new dad!
Continue to pray for little Jace McDougal. He's doing well at MCD and is stable. www.jacemcdougal.wordpress.com
Have a great weekend - we'll catch up on Monday.
Love,
Erin
Thursday, June 12, 2008
June 12th Stevie Stats - She's 34 weeks today!!
Our little baby is starting to be a big little baby! Today Stevie weighs 4lbs 9.6oz (2090 grams) She is still almost 18" long. The nurse assured me that some babies don't get taller over a week's time - I just said as long as our baby doesn't end up being a basketball we're okay.
I thought I'd share Stevie's bathtime video from last week. They will let Steve and I give her bath on Friday night. We're very excited. It's really nice to be more hands on with your child. Not sure where on this blog it will attach. I admire people who are so computer savvy, it has taken me a lot of time to figure out how this works!
Today Stevie is 34 weeks!! WOW! It's amazing to think that she might be able to come home within the next month or so - depending on how she progresses. She is still on her oxygen, but her desat spells have been getting better. I can totally tell when she is holding her breath now so I'm catching on to her game. They bumped up her caffiene a bit to help her "remember" to breathe. This has also helped. We're so thankful each day for her. She's just pure joy.
Thank you so much for the prayers and support! Please also keep Jace McDougal in your prayers - he is still at Medical City Dallas - and Praise God he has been stable. He hasn't had any surgery yet. Please visit his site at www.jacemcdougal.wordpress.com
Love, Erin & Steve
I thought I'd share Stevie's bathtime video from last week. They will let Steve and I give her bath on Friday night. We're very excited. It's really nice to be more hands on with your child. Not sure where on this blog it will attach. I admire people who are so computer savvy, it has taken me a lot of time to figure out how this works!
Today Stevie is 34 weeks!! WOW! It's amazing to think that she might be able to come home within the next month or so - depending on how she progresses. She is still on her oxygen, but her desat spells have been getting better. I can totally tell when she is holding her breath now so I'm catching on to her game. They bumped up her caffiene a bit to help her "remember" to breathe. This has also helped. We're so thankful each day for her. She's just pure joy.
Thank you so much for the prayers and support! Please also keep Jace McDougal in your prayers - he is still at Medical City Dallas - and Praise God he has been stable. He hasn't had any surgery yet. Please visit his site at www.jacemcdougal.wordpress.com
Love, Erin & Steve
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The ROOM project is a go!
We had a great meeting this morning with Doug Anderson at Presby Plano. We were able to tour the pediatric floor and take a closer look at all the amazing murals, colors, fabrics, etc. For anyone who is just now following our story I'd like to let you know a goal we hope to accomplish with the support of our family, friends, and anyone who would like to participate.
On March 24 I was 22 weeks 4 days pregnant. I went to my doctor for a routine visit only to discover I had grossly ruptured. A sonogram determined it was Christopher's sac that ruptured, Stevie Dee's sac was still okay. Dr. Herzog immediately sent me to labor and delivery down the hall from his office. I was terrified. I was so afraid I was going to lose my babies. For so long Steve and I tried to start a family and in a single moment I thought that dream was gone. We prayed for our children long before we ever knew we were pregant, and we did find out early November we were both over the moon, and when they later told us we were having two we were both ecstatic.
I was laying just about flat in a hospital bed from March 24th to May 11th. We had made it 7 weeks. This is something the dr's didn't expect. It was truly a miracle because most people who rupture deliver within 24-48 hrs I was told. I'm not a medical expert, but I'm telling you it was a miracle those babies stayed put for 7 weeks. We had daily visits from Dr. Herzog, and weekly visits from Dr. Albert who was our perinatologist. Each sonogram report was good. Each report showed a little fluid left around Christopher and that he was continuing to grow normally despite being in a small amount of fluid. What no one would have been able to tell us is that Christopher's lungs never developed. Almost a day after he was born he passed away in our arms.
Rewinding back to my time on bedrest I was able to be put on a stretcher while Steve rolled me around the Presby Plano campus. We took several strolls through the 4th floor pediatric section because you couldn't help but smile seeing all those intricate, detailed murals on the wall. I also noticed there were still lots of rooms left un-painted. Wouldn't that be the pits to be the kid that comes to the hospital and had to be a plain room because all the other cool rooms were taken?
After Christopher passed away we wanted to find a way for his memory to live on. We thought a room on the pediatric floor with a lakehouse / fishing theme would be perfect. This would be great for kids of all ages. The hospital can be an intimidating experience for children and their parents. Staying in an interesting room certainly helps. I'm an adult and I would have loved to have had a room like that during my 7 week stay in bed.
There is a need for these decorated painted rooms in the soon to be Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). We feel this will be a perfect spot for a lakehouse room. We need to raise $25K for the room to be completed. Our goal is for the room to be completed by Christopher and Stevie's birthday - May 11, 2009. There are so many other needs we hope to meet through the Christopher & Stevie Hickman Fund at Plano Presby. The first goal is completing a room.
If you have any questions please email me at ehickman@manueldesigns.com, and/or I can mail an information package including pictures.
Donations can be sent via CHECK, CASH, or CREDIT CARD to:
Make checks payable to:Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation; The Christopher & Stevie Hickman Fund
Mail to:
Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation
Attn: Doug Anderson
6200 W. Parker Road
Plano, TX 75093
You can also call Doug with credit card information at 972-981-8387
I know this was a super long blog today, but we're so excited to be moving forward on this project!
Much love,
Erin
On March 24 I was 22 weeks 4 days pregnant. I went to my doctor for a routine visit only to discover I had grossly ruptured. A sonogram determined it was Christopher's sac that ruptured, Stevie Dee's sac was still okay. Dr. Herzog immediately sent me to labor and delivery down the hall from his office. I was terrified. I was so afraid I was going to lose my babies. For so long Steve and I tried to start a family and in a single moment I thought that dream was gone. We prayed for our children long before we ever knew we were pregant, and we did find out early November we were both over the moon, and when they later told us we were having two we were both ecstatic.
I was laying just about flat in a hospital bed from March 24th to May 11th. We had made it 7 weeks. This is something the dr's didn't expect. It was truly a miracle because most people who rupture deliver within 24-48 hrs I was told. I'm not a medical expert, but I'm telling you it was a miracle those babies stayed put for 7 weeks. We had daily visits from Dr. Herzog, and weekly visits from Dr. Albert who was our perinatologist. Each sonogram report was good. Each report showed a little fluid left around Christopher and that he was continuing to grow normally despite being in a small amount of fluid. What no one would have been able to tell us is that Christopher's lungs never developed. Almost a day after he was born he passed away in our arms.
Rewinding back to my time on bedrest I was able to be put on a stretcher while Steve rolled me around the Presby Plano campus. We took several strolls through the 4th floor pediatric section because you couldn't help but smile seeing all those intricate, detailed murals on the wall. I also noticed there were still lots of rooms left un-painted. Wouldn't that be the pits to be the kid that comes to the hospital and had to be a plain room because all the other cool rooms were taken?
After Christopher passed away we wanted to find a way for his memory to live on. We thought a room on the pediatric floor with a lakehouse / fishing theme would be perfect. This would be great for kids of all ages. The hospital can be an intimidating experience for children and their parents. Staying in an interesting room certainly helps. I'm an adult and I would have loved to have had a room like that during my 7 week stay in bed.
There is a need for these decorated painted rooms in the soon to be Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). We feel this will be a perfect spot for a lakehouse room. We need to raise $25K for the room to be completed. Our goal is for the room to be completed by Christopher and Stevie's birthday - May 11, 2009. There are so many other needs we hope to meet through the Christopher & Stevie Hickman Fund at Plano Presby. The first goal is completing a room.
If you have any questions please email me at ehickman@manueldesigns.com, and/or I can mail an information package including pictures.
Donations can be sent via CHECK, CASH, or CREDIT CARD to:
Make checks payable to:Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation; The Christopher & Stevie Hickman Fund
Mail to:
Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation
Attn: Doug Anderson
6200 W. Parker Road
Plano, TX 75093
You can also call Doug with credit card information at 972-981-8387
I know this was a super long blog today, but we're so excited to be moving forward on this project!
Much love,
Erin
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
June 10th Update
update on Stevie Dee:
Today she weighs a whopping 4lbs 6.6oz (2002 grams).
On Monday she had her eye exam which is standard - her eyes are "normally immature" - she's is only 33 wks 5 days so of course her little eyeballs are immature. However they did tell me that the major blood vessels coming off her optic nerve are almost developed (which is exceptional for someone her age). She still only sees black and white - I didn't know that new babies don't see color for a while (this is why they tell you to put black & white objects in front of them - and they can only see about 12 inches in front of them).
She is still on oxygen and they are continuing to wean her down on the settings. She is on a lower flow of oxygen and she stays between 23% and 28% level - this isn't much. We all breathe 21% oxygen. She is still have desats and a few low heart rate spells, but the dr told me this is probably due to reflux, and he was happy with her progress to date. It still scares us because alarms sound, but we're learning more and more what is normal preemie behavior.
On Thursday or Friday we will begin training her on bottle feeding. Everyone has told me this is the most frustrating part, but I'm praying she'll pick it up quickly like the super preemie baby she is. This can take a few weeks I've been told.
We're hoping that we can bring Stevie home within 4 weeks. Criteria to bring her home is:
1) consistently gaining weight
2) maintaining her own body temperature
3) eating 8 feeds a day via bottle or breast feeds without having any bradycardia spells (drop in heart rate)
4) No apnea or bradycardia spells for 5 days - if we are getting ready to take her home and she has a heart rate drop they will keep her there for another 5 days.
Thank you for continuing to pray for us and Stevie. She is so much fun even though we haven't really gotten to be with her 24/7. That will be a great day for Steve and I.
Please continue to pray for Jace McDougal www.jacemcdougal.wordpress.com
He was born a day before Stevie and Christopher at 24 weeks. He and Stevie were neighbors in the NICU for 2 weeks. His parents are amazing. Jace is now at Medical City Dallas due to his heart problems. Praise God Jace seems to be stable right now. You can read his latest updates on the link above. He's a fighter.
Praying for complete healing for Stevie,
Erin & Steve
Today she weighs a whopping 4lbs 6.6oz (2002 grams).
On Monday she had her eye exam which is standard - her eyes are "normally immature" - she's is only 33 wks 5 days so of course her little eyeballs are immature. However they did tell me that the major blood vessels coming off her optic nerve are almost developed (which is exceptional for someone her age). She still only sees black and white - I didn't know that new babies don't see color for a while (this is why they tell you to put black & white objects in front of them - and they can only see about 12 inches in front of them).
She is still on oxygen and they are continuing to wean her down on the settings. She is on a lower flow of oxygen and she stays between 23% and 28% level - this isn't much. We all breathe 21% oxygen. She is still have desats and a few low heart rate spells, but the dr told me this is probably due to reflux, and he was happy with her progress to date. It still scares us because alarms sound, but we're learning more and more what is normal preemie behavior.
On Thursday or Friday we will begin training her on bottle feeding. Everyone has told me this is the most frustrating part, but I'm praying she'll pick it up quickly like the super preemie baby she is. This can take a few weeks I've been told.
We're hoping that we can bring Stevie home within 4 weeks. Criteria to bring her home is:
1) consistently gaining weight
2) maintaining her own body temperature
3) eating 8 feeds a day via bottle or breast feeds without having any bradycardia spells (drop in heart rate)
4) No apnea or bradycardia spells for 5 days - if we are getting ready to take her home and she has a heart rate drop they will keep her there for another 5 days.
Thank you for continuing to pray for us and Stevie. She is so much fun even though we haven't really gotten to be with her 24/7. That will be a great day for Steve and I.
Please continue to pray for Jace McDougal www.jacemcdougal.wordpress.com
He was born a day before Stevie and Christopher at 24 weeks. He and Stevie were neighbors in the NICU for 2 weeks. His parents are amazing. Jace is now at Medical City Dallas due to his heart problems. Praise God Jace seems to be stable right now. You can read his latest updates on the link above. He's a fighter.
Praying for complete healing for Stevie,
Erin & Steve
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