Lord Uncle B's Hand

Day 48 of Life - August 5th

I don't have a detailed update on the boy right now, as Ma and Pa are taking a much deserved break, at a friend's cottage. They are away for the day and NICU staff will not give me detailed information. However, Lord Uncle B and I came to visit the little one and I can report that he is behaving and doing well.

He is still saturating well on the Aladdin and is bundled up in a cute little sleeper. He is quite content, with his soother in his mouth, and is eagerly awaiting his next feed! Big surprise, there. Lord Uncle B hadn't seen Sha in awhile and was quite surprised by his progress. However, Lord Uncle B's hand is still about the size of the little one's entire body!!!

Day 47 of Life - August 4th

Sha has been diagnosed with stage I retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Basically, this affects the eyes and can cause blindness or poor vision, in extreme cases (stage III or higher). The stages of this disease start at stage I and range to stage V, with stage I being the least serious. If it stays at a stage I, then it will resolve itself and treatment will not be needed. However, it can progress and sometimes, especially in the higher stages, laser surgery is required. The surgery will usually stop the progression of the disease and avoid blindness.

Sha will be seen by the eye specialist in a week, to check on the progression of the ROP. It is not really surprising that he has developed this, as many premature infants develop ROP, and all we can do is hope that it does not progress. They will monitor him regularly, as the disease can progress quickly, and will treat it if that becomes necessary.

The piglet is also now receiving 16-17 cc of breastmilk every 2 hours and, knowing him as I do, I'm sure that he's enjoying this a lot!

Day 46 of Life - August 3rd

The little one is now up to 1260 g (2.77 lbs). Go, piggy, go! He's still receiving 16 cc of breastmilk every 2 hours. Other than that, not too much is new. Ma reports that he prefers being on his tummy, rather than his back and she spent a lot of the night wiping "goopies" out of his mouth. (Since he's on the Aladdin, he gets a lot of "goopies"!!!)

He seems fairly happy on the Aladdin and had his eyes wide open tonight... For the last few days, he hasn't been doing that much, but he's really looking around more and stares at the "box" on his nose a lot!

Grandma McF came to visit him today and Pa is working late, so it was just Ma tonight. His blood is staying saturated and it isn't dropping as often. However, when he is touched, he desaturates...which he did when Ma changed his diaper tonight. Little Turkey!

Day 45 of Life - August 2nd

I'm happy to report that it's been a slow news day for the little one! He's still on the Aladdin and is still adjusting, but each day gets better. When Ma and Pa left tonight, he was at approximately 50% oxygen and is still receiving 16 cc of breastmilk every 2 hours. His blood oxygen saturation levels seems to be stabilizing and he is desaturating less often.

Ma had a counselling session today. The good news is that she hasn't been institionalized...and she spent a lot of time crying in anger and the counsellor did comment that Ma seems like a very angry person...but that session is over. She has another one in a week, so we'll see how that one goes!

Last night, Ma received an early birthday present from Pa and Sha...an electronic keyboard. For those of you who don't know, Ma spent many many years in piano lessons and has missed playing. So, Pa, being an incredibly thoughtful and sweet person, bought Ma a keyboard and sheet music for lullabies, so that she can play for Sha when he comes home. (Although, now I believe that Pa might be regretting this purchase, since he says his favourite feature is the volume button!!!)

Day 44 of Life - August 1st

Well, Little Sha has now reached 32 weeks and 1 day gestational age and he decided to celebrate with something that he loves...more food. The piglet is now up to 16 cc of breastmilk every 2 hours...and lovin' it! He is slowly growing accustomed to the Aladdin and is now at approximately 50% oxygen...little baby steps.

Despite the fact that hell is cooler than the NICU today, Sha is enjoying every minute. Although, I think Ma found it a little uncomfortable when she got to kangaroo him today! She said that when it was time for him to go back to bed, he was stuck to her...but she wouldn't have traded those moments for the world.

Ma finally got some sick pay today...but it was messed up. Although, something is better than nothing, I guess! Anyway, they promise that they are going to fix the error. So, that battle may be almost over...but we're not being too optimistic at this point. The next battle will be over the maternity leave issue...but I have faith that Ma will prevail! They don't know how stubborn she is...but I'm sure they'll learn!!!

Ma, Grandma Cush and I are moving some big stuff for Uncle Kabooblah tonight. Our little brother is leaving the nest...but maybe he could have picked a warmer day!!! (Considering it's still over 30 degrees outside!!!) Is there anything that you wouldn't do for family?!?!?!?

This Little Piggy Went to Town

The little one got his footprint done... so friggin' cute!

Day 43 of Life - July 31st

Another quiet day for Sha. He is still on the Aladdin and going quite strong, although he still desaturates during his many temper tantrums! But a soother and a pat on the bum will usually get him back in line!

I stopped by to say a quick "hello" and the little Turkey decided to show me how strong he has become in the last few days. He was lying on his stomach and he opened one eye and peeked at me, as if to check and make sure it was me...then he closed his eye and arched his back, lifting both his head and his feet of the mattress at the same time! What a strong little monkey!!! One of these days, I expect to go in and find him hanging from the inside of his incubator!!!

As of yesterday, the little monster weighed in at 1130 g (or 1.13 kg or 2.49 lb). His love of food (which he gets from Ma and me!) is certainly helping him out right now. Keep up the good work, Turkey!

Turkey Gets Re-Extubated

Grandma Cush in Love...and who can blame her?

Day 42 of Life - July 30th

Auntie is now back in town. Thanks to Ma for keeping everyone up-to-date. It was an odd feeling for me today when I got home, as Ma and Pa were visiting the little one and I needed an update on the boy. So, logically, I got on the blog and was able to catch up on what I had missed! But, enough about me!

Sha was extubated again today and is now back on the Aladdin. So far, he seems to be quite happy, at least compared to last week! He's still throwing his temper tantrums and then his oxygen requirements go up, but they always decrease after he calms down. Turkey! There are some techniques to calm him down, which everyone is getting to know well. Dr. B held his soother in for an hour today and Grandma and Grandpa Cush took over the job. Later on, the little man was throwing yet another tantrum and despite all of the efforts, he wasn't calming down. Then Ma, who has managed to develop motherly instincts despite the fact that she's not around 100% of the time, came in and immediately decided to check his diaper. No wonder the little one was so angry!!! Sometimes it just takes a mother to know what is wrong. Go "Ma of the Year"!!!

Otherwise, our little Turkey is doing well and now just needs to learn to control his mighty temper!!!