It's been awhile. I'm sorry. Thanks so much for wondering about us and our little guy!
This past week was our last with Grandma Rogers here to help out... so we've been super busy trying to get organized and situated. Whew! I think we're in pretty good shape now, thanks to all of her tireless efforts. Words cannot express how grateful we both are for her support the last two months (and for the sacrifice both she and Dad made)!
We love you...
Connor's had another pretty great week!
- His cranial ultrasound on Wednesday showed some improvement with his IVH - on the left, he's progressed to below a level 1, and on the right, he's still between a level 2-3. This will be repeated again in 2 weeks.
- Connor's billirubin levels were high early in the week. He's been on IV nutrition for so long now that the doctors believed it was likely an effect of not being fed normally. A liver ultrasound was performed, and thankfully, showed everything to be normal. They also drew another urine sample for cultures to rule out any infection - also clean. So, the chemicals/nutrients/minerals in his IV nutrition have been adjusted to bring these levels closer to normal.
- His surgeon came on Tuesday to check him out prior to restarting his feedings. Unfortunately his exam didn't go as smoothly as we wanted it to, and it was discovered that Connor likely has a stricture (a narrowing or closure) somewhere in his intestines. On Wednesday, he will receive a barium enema (poor guy!) so that they can attempt to locate where the stricture is located prior to surgery. Then, he will have to be explored and possibly re-sectioned during his reattachment surgery (currently scheduled for February 11th). In the meantime, Connor will remain on IV nutrition and feedings will resume after his surgery in a week and a half.
- Despite not eating since Christmas Day, our little guy is still growing! He's currently 1746 grams (3 lbs, 13 oz) and 15" long.
- Connor's biggest development is that he's graduated to an open crib! Able to maintain his temperature on his own, he's been hanging out in his airy crib for 2 full days now, and is doing really well. We're now able to pick Connor up and hold him whenever we want, without requesting the assistance of a nurse. (Which surprisingly enough has been really huge and so freeing for Brian and me.) Just prior to surgery, Connor will have to return to the isolette and the ventilator, but we're feeling pretty good that with each passing day he gets stronger, and he won't spend long with either.
Much thanks to you all.
Gonna get heavy on the photos here...
Sleepy smiles - January 25, 2009
"Finally! They've given me something to do in here! (But I'm going to need one for both hands...)"
A toy ring to help Connor keep from pulling his tubes out...
which he does at least once a week - January 26, 2009
Teeny-tiny fingers - January 25, 2009
Teeny-tiny toes - January 27, 2009
Just looking cute! - January 28, 2009
Wearing clothes... no more naked Connor! This is preemie-sized...
he's nearly too long for the outfit,
but there's still plenty of room in the belly
- January 28, 2009
He loves being held... especially by Grandma Rogers! - January 29, 2009
Hanging on to Grandma's finger - January 26, 2009
Making faces - January 30, 2009
Working on his third chin - January 29, 2009
Happy to be in an open crib - January 30, 2009
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4 comments:
YAY for progress. He is such a little fighter, so are you guys!
Yeah it's about time for an update! Loving all the pictures. Mom said she was really sad to leave. So have they told you when to expect him to be able to go home with you? I guess if his surgery isn't until the 11th then with recovery maybe it won't be until March? But March will be here before you know it, it's already February!
Awww he is a cutie! I can't get over those cheeks.
Glad he is improving.
Keeping you all in my prayers :)
His chins are the cutest. one month...Yay!
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