November 7th, 43 days old. Collin is doing well today although he is still dropping in heart rate a little. An echo was done on his heart and the pediatric cardiologist said Collin's heart looks fine. As a result, both heart medications were turned off, which is good news. He is also down to 2 antibiotics and sitting about 30% oxygen. The morphine drip has been off for 24 hours now and he only receives it when he needs it. The things we are working on right now are keeping the heart rate steady, tolerate feeds, poop and keep losing the edema. With the edema his weight jumps around the low 3 lb. area.
Collin's doctors and nurses are so nice. They keep us well informed and we really enjoy their company. They are good to us and especially to Collin. Today I am grateful for the Relief Society sisters in my ward. They are so good to me and my little family. They keep us well fed as well. I am grateful for my visiting teaching ladies and for the ladies I teach too. Mommy and Daddy love you so much sweat heart! We are so proud of you. Keep up the good work and keep on fighting. Like Uncle Grant has said before, "No offense to to the comic book Superman but he doesn't have superhuman strength like my nephew!!!" Keep fighting buddy, we love you so much!!!" Thanks Uncle Grant.
November 8th, 44 days old. Collin is having another good day. They upped his feedings to 1 mL every 6 hours and so far, so good. He pooped a little this morning. The doctor is still worried about the fluid in his brain and his ventricles still being enlarged. He is still off his heart medications and his heart looks good. We think the heart rate dropping issue comes from needing suctioning from his lungs and pressure in the brain. But other than that we are having a good day. No matter what we will always love you Collin J always and forever. We are very grateful to have you here with us.
Today I am grateful for my family. They have always been there for me through good and tough times. They have always been very supportive to Robert and I and now Collin. We are a very close family and we always know what's going on with each other. I love my family very much. Thank you everyone for all the love, prayers, support and blessings.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
6 weeks old
November 6th, 6 weeks old. 28 weeks gestation. Collin has a little bradycardia which means his heart rate will drop low on occasion and come back up. An EKG was done this morning but didn't show anything wrong. Stats are good. Oxygen is at 30% which Collin seems to like being there. He is still really sick and his doctor today, Wyc Cheatam, told us he thinks Collin has a 50/50 chance of living at this point. Collin is telling us he still wants to fight so we keep cheering him on.They started feeding him milk again at 1/2 mL every 6 hours and we have our fingers crossed that he will tolerate them this time. I think if Collin tolerates his feedings he will start feeling a whole lot better. I pray everyday for him to live and be healed.
Collin is being a little more active, meaning he is beginning to move his limbs more. He is swollen from the fluids he is getting. He tries and on occasion is able to open his eyes. Today I am grateful for modern technology. Our son wouldn't be here with us today if it wasn't for it. In the last 6 weeks it has been a big part of our lives, it has helped out in so many ways. Thank you modern technology. We love you buddy, keep fighting!
Collin is being a little more active, meaning he is beginning to move his limbs more. He is swollen from the fluids he is getting. He tries and on occasion is able to open his eyes. Today I am grateful for modern technology. Our son wouldn't be here with us today if it wasn't for it. In the last 6 weeks it has been a big part of our lives, it has helped out in so many ways. Thank you modern technology. We love you buddy, keep fighting!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
A Day at the Beach
November 5, 40 days. At least Collin feels like he has been at the beach today. Everyone survived transport and CT scan day yesterday. The scan showed that blood is flowing through the intestine so there isn't any major damage. Yay! Other than that it didn't reveal much that we didn't already know. Collin tolerated the transport just fine but when he came back the next few hours was difficult to keep his blood pressure and heart rate under control. He now knows the world is bigger than the 5th floor so he must have been upset to come back so quickly.
Today Collin has been relaxed and calm. Right now he is enjoying being on his belly. His heart rate ranges from 140's to the 160's bpm and his oxygen is at 35%. His weight today is 1570 grams (3 lbs. 7 oz.) which is 30 grams less than last night. He is still loosing fluid weight. The last positive blood culture was Oct. 26 so we hope this means that Collin is getting over his infection. He will still receive antibiotics for an additional 21 days to fully kill the bacteria. Collin continues to be active and has spent a lot of time with his eyes open.
Stacey has this to say, "I am grateful for the gospel. In the last 6 weeks I have grown closer to Heavenly Father and my sweet husband. I am very grateful that He has sent Collin to Robert and I. Collin is the joy of my life along with Robert. I know the church is true. I know we will be a family FOREVER & ALWAYS!!! Mommy and Daddy love you very much! We are proud of you!"
Today Collin has been relaxed and calm. Right now he is enjoying being on his belly. His heart rate ranges from 140's to the 160's bpm and his oxygen is at 35%. His weight today is 1570 grams (3 lbs. 7 oz.) which is 30 grams less than last night. He is still loosing fluid weight. The last positive blood culture was Oct. 26 so we hope this means that Collin is getting over his infection. He will still receive antibiotics for an additional 21 days to fully kill the bacteria. Collin continues to be active and has spent a lot of time with his eyes open.
Stacey has this to say, "I am grateful for the gospel. In the last 6 weeks I have grown closer to Heavenly Father and my sweet husband. I am very grateful that He has sent Collin to Robert and I. Collin is the joy of my life along with Robert. I know the church is true. I know we will be a family FOREVER & ALWAYS!!! Mommy and Daddy love you very much! We are proud of you!"
Friday, November 4, 2011
Big Day for Collin
November 4, 39 days old. It’s about time Dad contributes to this blog. Today is a big day for Collin. So far the CT scan is still scheduled to happen today. There are significant risks with transporting him but it has high potential of providing answers Collin has been in need of. We have starters from Collin’s All Star team on staff today. Dr. Wyc Cheatam is the neonatologist along with Sue as the RN and Reggie the respiratory therapist. These three will remain with Collin the entire trip to radiology. Stacey and I have a mixture of feelings but overall we feel ready for some answers. A radiologist will read the results with a second opinion tomorrow from the pediatric radiologist. There is also the option of getting an opinion from Primary Children’s hospital. And so we wait and pray.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Halloween - Nov. 3
October 31st, 35 days old 5 weeks old. 28th weeks gestation. HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Its Collin's first Halloween. Yay! Collin is slowly getting better. He is showing signs of improvement which is good. He had a big poop yesterday. It was like a big plug, poor guy. That's is also a good sign. Collin still has a chest tube. They took it out yesterday morning but had to put it back in last night. He wasn't ready for it to come out just yet, silly. They switched his art line to his foot. They did a blood culture on the old art line, then replaced a new art line, and did another blood culture He did need a blood transfusion but its been a few days. He got his first bath & got lotion. He is 3 lbs. 1/2 oz. Last positive blood culture is from the 26th, which is good, so fingers crossed. Collin gained a little more weight tonight, dang. It went up to 3 lbs. 5 1/2 oz. Hopefully it goes back down.
November 1st, 36 days old. Its uncle Grant's Birthday today, Happy Birthday. Today is a good day, still fighting the infection but getting better. They put in a new pic line. His is a little high on oxygen but that's because there was so much mucus in his lungs. He seems better everyday we see him. His blood pressure is being funny, the art line reads one way, and the cuff reads another way... But other than that Collin has been good all day. They have not come back with anything dealing with the blood cultures, so hopefully they stay negative. Collin weighs 1450 grams 3lb 3oz. (1450 grams) yay losing water weight. I am grateful for all our family, friends and, neighbors for their love, prayers and, blessings through this tough time. Thank you everyone.
November 2nd 37 days old. Collin is still really sick but is stable and doing good. We got told by his doctor that she thinks Collin is stable enough to go downstairs and have a CT scan to see what's wrong with our little guy. We are very scared of what the outcome will be, but happy to know what is making our little prince so sick. Its a very emotional ride right now, one big roller coaster. We are very proud of our son Collin and know that everything will be ok. We know no matter what we will always be a family always and forever!!!! We love you Collin you very much! I am very greatful for all the doctors and nurses who is taking great care of my sweet, loving, little precious Collin. Thank you!
November 3rd 38 days old. Collin is still sick, but doing good and stable. Good news its been 5 days now for Collin's blood culture to be negative, yay. The doctor took an ultrasound of Collin's heart and of his head. The head ultrasound was sent to Primary Children's to have it looked over for swelling and if he needs a drain. Tomorrow Collin is going downstairs for a CT scan to see what's happing in his abdomen. Robert and I are very scared of what the test will tell us. Yesterday I was really scared about but when we talked to the doctor today I was a lot calmer. I still feel good about everything. We have not and will never give up hope or faith. Today I am very grateful for the most wonderful husband in the world. I am very grateful for Robert and his faith, hope, love and strength for Collin our love little prince. I am very grateful that Robert holds and honors the priesthood.
Oct. 20-28
October 20th. 25 days, 3 1/2 weeks old.
Collin is doing good. They are going to switch ventilators because he is so low on settings, so depending on which one they switch to we might be able to do skin to skin holding him. They also might do an enema to see if that helps him poop better. He did poop yesterday. I got to hold skin to skin today, it was wonderful, I LOVED it so much, and so did Collin, he LOVES his mommy.
It started great. Stacey got to do skin to skin for the first time. But since then, Collin has struggled. He has an infection. He's on 3 antibiotics and we're praying he gets better.
Collin update: his belly has grown another cm and is now being described as having a "very serious" infection.
We know he’ll be ok; we'll make it through all of this!
We love you Collin & we are very proud of you!
October 21st, 26 days old. It’s a sad/scary day. Yesterday my baby got sick; he has an infection in his abdomen (tummy area). They are monitoring him really closely. He got this infection because he isn't pooping very well. Collin is on 3 antibiotics, fluids, blood pressure medicine, so he is really puffy. Poor little guy. Collin is treading in the right direction is what we are told. They are still watching him very closely. His belly has grown 5.5 cm since yesterday morning, from being sick and because of all the fluids, medicines.
Collin is improving slowly but surely. We are very proud of you and love you. We are more grateful to have you in our lives. We are very blessed to have you here with us; we will make it through all of this. Love you little man, you are our Trooper.
He's better than last night but still sick, he is showing signs of improvement. Dr. Cheatam is pleased of where he is at but still worried. We just need to get over this hump, treading water for a couple days and if Collin improves or stays where he's at the Dr will be happy. We are getting there slow but surely.
Hey Collin's doctor thinks he may have sepsis. So, I told Collin he had a cousin that had had that and now is over 1 year old so we will make it through this. Robert gave Collin a blessing tonight. He told him he would keep fighting so he can become better to where we can hold him. It was a really wonderful blessing. Love you Collin very much and I am very proud of you. Keep going you're doing such a great job.
October 22nd, 27 days old. It’s another rough day. Collin is still really sick, but he's still fighting. It’s a bacterial infection; he may have two, hopefully not. One bacterium is Robs. (?) He's pooped twice today only a little, but we'll take anything. They took out his cat heritor because he is peeing on his own. He is our big fighter and seems to be headed in the right direction. They said he had sepsis but then tonight when I was there they said it was robs not Septicemia. So, we will ask for sure what it is tomorrow when we go in. Collin is showing signs of improvement like peeping, pooping a little, and he’s been wiggling, and his blood work coming back as being good. It’s still a long process of healing but we will get through this. We are so proud of you Collin we will get through this. I know it’s rough and hard but we will make it. We love you as well as well as everyone else. Everyone is also proud of you and is praying for you.
October 23rd, 4 weeks old today wow... Collin is having a better day. We're having a better day YAY! We know those prayers are working so please keep them coming. We also know that our faith, prayers, and trust in the Lord are helping. As our sister-in-law Mindy has told me the "Lord knew Robert & you could handle it." I have come to trust in the Lord more and more. We've come to know and love the Lord so much. We're even closer to him now than ever. Today in church we had an interesting sacrament meeting. Our speakers cancelled at the last minute, so our bishop decided to have whoever wanted to, get up and tell their favorite hymn and we sang one verse from it. I love all of the hymns, but the one I really love is "A Poor Way Faring Man" but right now I love "Because I have Been Given Much." I truly have been Given Much, with a healthy boy. I was a really good sacrament meeting.
October 24, 29 days old. 27 weeks gestation.
Collin is doing better still today, still really sick but we are getting better. They turned off one of the blood pressure medications. WE ARE headed in the right direction. Collin has what is called an Enterobacter infection; they are calling sepsis because it’s in the blood but no fungil infection. Yes, it’s treatable. As the doctor told me, we have Collin on the right medication and its working because he wouldn't be getting better. Keep up all the prayers, and thank you very much.
October 25th, 30 days old, 1 month old already oh our boy is getting so big. Collin is stable and getting better slowly but surely. Last night they took an x ray and his right lung. It was all cloudy, but they took two today and the one this morning looked better, then they took one around 4 and that one looked even better, way good. Collin's blood work came back, it looked good. Three different doctors today have told us that Collin is looking better and is headed in the right direction. His doctor tonight says he has turned the corner he is getting better. Tonight we could see his little personality returning. Go Collin you are doing great. Mommy and daddy are very proud of you. Keep up the good work. We love you!!! We are more than grateful to everyone for everything they have done and for all the prayers.
October 26th, 31 days old. Collin is still getting better. The doctors are proud of him. His blood work and x rays look good. Collin's goals for now are to continue to get better of course, and to urinate so he can lose more of that fluid weight. Even though he is chubby/swollen from all the products he has gotten he is still way cute. You can tell Collin is getting better because he is getting his cute little personality back. We are still more than grateful for everyone's prayers and support.
Today my sister, Kimberly had her son by c-section. Alexander is 6lb 4oz and 18 & 3 quarters long. He is 5lbs 6in bigger than Collin, born 1month & 1day after Collin, & 14hours before Collin. They will be teasing each other forever along with Daryk. Silly boys :-)
October 27th, 32 days old. Collin is still really sick. They had to put in a chest tube to help his lungs and it is helping to release fluids.
They just weighed Collin. Last night he was 1905 grams (4lb 3oz) now 1770 (3lb 14oz). Girth measurement from earlier 30 cm, and now it’s 28.5. It is still a long wait for him to get completely better, but we still feel good about things. We are not giving up. We know all the blessings, prayers, support is working. Please, please keep them coming. We are very proud of you Collin.
October 28th 33 days old. Collin is more stable today, than yesterday. Collin is still really sick but his nurse Ashlee and his repertory therapist Janalyn said that he was stable enough to put him on his belly. Since the chest tube Collin has been more stable and we know it’s a blessing for to be here.
Collin is doing good. They are going to switch ventilators because he is so low on settings, so depending on which one they switch to we might be able to do skin to skin holding him. They also might do an enema to see if that helps him poop better. He did poop yesterday. I got to hold skin to skin today, it was wonderful, I LOVED it so much, and so did Collin, he LOVES his mommy.
It started great. Stacey got to do skin to skin for the first time. But since then, Collin has struggled. He has an infection. He's on 3 antibiotics and we're praying he gets better.
Collin update: his belly has grown another cm and is now being described as having a "very serious" infection.
We know he’ll be ok; we'll make it through all of this!
We love you Collin & we are very proud of you!
October 21st, 26 days old. It’s a sad/scary day. Yesterday my baby got sick; he has an infection in his abdomen (tummy area). They are monitoring him really closely. He got this infection because he isn't pooping very well. Collin is on 3 antibiotics, fluids, blood pressure medicine, so he is really puffy. Poor little guy. Collin is treading in the right direction is what we are told. They are still watching him very closely. His belly has grown 5.5 cm since yesterday morning, from being sick and because of all the fluids, medicines.
Collin is improving slowly but surely. We are very proud of you and love you. We are more grateful to have you in our lives. We are very blessed to have you here with us; we will make it through all of this. Love you little man, you are our Trooper.
He's better than last night but still sick, he is showing signs of improvement. Dr. Cheatam is pleased of where he is at but still worried. We just need to get over this hump, treading water for a couple days and if Collin improves or stays where he's at the Dr will be happy. We are getting there slow but surely.
Hey Collin's doctor thinks he may have sepsis. So, I told Collin he had a cousin that had had that and now is over 1 year old so we will make it through this. Robert gave Collin a blessing tonight. He told him he would keep fighting so he can become better to where we can hold him. It was a really wonderful blessing. Love you Collin very much and I am very proud of you. Keep going you're doing such a great job.
October 22nd, 27 days old. It’s another rough day. Collin is still really sick, but he's still fighting. It’s a bacterial infection; he may have two, hopefully not. One bacterium is Robs. (?) He's pooped twice today only a little, but we'll take anything. They took out his cat heritor because he is peeing on his own. He is our big fighter and seems to be headed in the right direction. They said he had sepsis but then tonight when I was there they said it was robs not Septicemia. So, we will ask for sure what it is tomorrow when we go in. Collin is showing signs of improvement like peeping, pooping a little, and he’s been wiggling, and his blood work coming back as being good. It’s still a long process of healing but we will get through this. We are so proud of you Collin we will get through this. I know it’s rough and hard but we will make it. We love you as well as well as everyone else. Everyone is also proud of you and is praying for you.
October 23rd, 4 weeks old today wow... Collin is having a better day. We're having a better day YAY! We know those prayers are working so please keep them coming. We also know that our faith, prayers, and trust in the Lord are helping. As our sister-in-law Mindy has told me the "Lord knew Robert & you could handle it." I have come to trust in the Lord more and more. We've come to know and love the Lord so much. We're even closer to him now than ever. Today in church we had an interesting sacrament meeting. Our speakers cancelled at the last minute, so our bishop decided to have whoever wanted to, get up and tell their favorite hymn and we sang one verse from it. I love all of the hymns, but the one I really love is "A Poor Way Faring Man" but right now I love "Because I have Been Given Much." I truly have been Given Much, with a healthy boy. I was a really good sacrament meeting.
October 24, 29 days old. 27 weeks gestation.
Collin is doing better still today, still really sick but we are getting better. They turned off one of the blood pressure medications. WE ARE headed in the right direction. Collin has what is called an Enterobacter infection; they are calling sepsis because it’s in the blood but no fungil infection. Yes, it’s treatable. As the doctor told me, we have Collin on the right medication and its working because he wouldn't be getting better. Keep up all the prayers, and thank you very much.
October 25th, 30 days old, 1 month old already oh our boy is getting so big. Collin is stable and getting better slowly but surely. Last night they took an x ray and his right lung. It was all cloudy, but they took two today and the one this morning looked better, then they took one around 4 and that one looked even better, way good. Collin's blood work came back, it looked good. Three different doctors today have told us that Collin is looking better and is headed in the right direction. His doctor tonight says he has turned the corner he is getting better. Tonight we could see his little personality returning. Go Collin you are doing great. Mommy and daddy are very proud of you. Keep up the good work. We love you!!! We are more than grateful to everyone for everything they have done and for all the prayers.
October 26th, 31 days old. Collin is still getting better. The doctors are proud of him. His blood work and x rays look good. Collin's goals for now are to continue to get better of course, and to urinate so he can lose more of that fluid weight. Even though he is chubby/swollen from all the products he has gotten he is still way cute. You can tell Collin is getting better because he is getting his cute little personality back. We are still more than grateful for everyone's prayers and support.
Today my sister, Kimberly had her son by c-section. Alexander is 6lb 4oz and 18 & 3 quarters long. He is 5lbs 6in bigger than Collin, born 1month & 1day after Collin, & 14hours before Collin. They will be teasing each other forever along with Daryk. Silly boys :-)
October 27th, 32 days old. Collin is still really sick. They had to put in a chest tube to help his lungs and it is helping to release fluids.
They just weighed Collin. Last night he was 1905 grams (4lb 3oz) now 1770 (3lb 14oz). Girth measurement from earlier 30 cm, and now it’s 28.5. It is still a long wait for him to get completely better, but we still feel good about things. We are not giving up. We know all the blessings, prayers, support is working. Please, please keep them coming. We are very proud of you Collin.
October 28th 33 days old. Collin is more stable today, than yesterday. Collin is still really sick but his nurse Ashlee and his repertory therapist Janalyn said that he was stable enough to put him on his belly. Since the chest tube Collin has been more stable and we know it’s a blessing for to be here.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Our sweet little Superman
October 11th, 16 days old. Collin is doing good. He pooped again for the second time. Yea! The doctor was telling us that Collin has a small tear in his right lung, which is common in preemies. What they are doing to prevent it from getting bigger is they turned the ventilator down and the oxygen up so it kind of collapses his lung to help the tear close up. It hasn't gotten any bigger since this morning so that is a good sign. If it gets bigger or gives any problems they will have to put a chest tube in to help him, but so far it is just small. Other than that Collin is doing great. It’s been 1 week since his PDA surgery and he's doing great. He is still off the lights for jaundice; it’s been about 4 to 5 days now. He looks really good; skin is looking good, pink color to him now. He is a big tease which is cute, it shows his little personality. I just love sitting next to the bed Collin is in and watch him. If his hat is off you can watch his facial expressions which is very cute. Good news for Collin. That small tear is gone, but they are keeping the ventilator down for now. Collin has been doing well today, he has been anywhere from 40% to 90% for oxygen. Robert and I are more than great from all the support, all the blessings, and all the prayers from family friends, and neighbors. We love you Collin and very proud of you. Keep up the good work.
October 12th 17 days old :-)
When we saw Collin last night, the tear in his lung has closed and repaired itself which is good. They kept him down on the ventilator and up on oxygen to make sure the tear is repaired for sure. Collin has been doing great with his oxygen he's been swinging between 40% and about 90% so that's good. He's doing good, no changes. They took out his art line (blood pressure line) because it wasn't reading right because it’s been there for over a week, no problem with that though, so they are going to leave it out for a little while, he has good blood pressure for now. Other than that he is doing great. Dr. Cheatham says they are going to give Collin a "holiday" tomorrow, meaning they are not going to draw any labs, yeah! We love this little boy! So, proud of you Collin keep up the good work son. Can't wait till we get to bring him home. He is growing & getting smarter by the day. Too sweet!
October 13th 18 days old. Last night Collin weighed 780 gram which is 1lb about 11 1/2oz, he is getting bigger. Collin's eyes are still fused shut. Last night as I was helping change Collin's diaper he was trying so hard to open them. It was way cute. His left eye is just about to open. There is a baby girl by Collin who likes to cry and a couple times he got a look on his face like he wants to cry, it’s cute.
They switch sedation meds, which makes him twitchy, but he is ok still. I need to pump, I've got my hand on him and every time I go to move he starts twitching again, it’s cute.
They took an x-ray and it looks better and Carmon, his nurse turned him a little on his left side now he's not so twitchy. Collin's doing a lot better now. He is down just below 60% oxygen. He's not twitchy just a little wiggle here and there. He is our good little angel boy. :-) He loves his mommy and daddy and knows whenever we are with him. He also knows that mommy, and daddy loves him very much and knows everyone else loves him too.
October 14th 19 days old. He is really close to opening his eyes.
Collin is doing much better since about 10 last night. It was a little scary but everything is ok. They are monitoring him to see if he was having seizures, so far so good. We will find out more later when they check it. I know everything is ok. He is our Superman, our little trooper. Collin's nurse told us last night that they found a little plastic thing that holds on the probe right above his bum, no wonder our little guy was so uncomfortable :'-( poor little guy.) We hope that is all that it was, just being uncomfortable. Made mommy sad.
No seizure activity so it must have been that little plastic thing I told you about, he is much better today. Relaxing & calm, down as low as 30% oxygen.
Dr. Cheatham even said he came in every so often yesterday to just look & watch him and he said he didn't think it looked like seizure activity. So, he thinks it had something to do with that plastic thing and just being uncomfortable.
October 15th 20 days old. Collin is doing great. He opened his eyes today, so freaking cute. His doctor, Wende says he is doing great, a lot better than two days ago. They are feeding him now, 1/2mL every 3 hours. His doctor is going to put him on a feeding schedule. Meaning up the amount according to his weight.
October 16th 3 weeks old. 25 weeks & 6 days Collin has been stable all day, he's been as low as 30% oxygen, & they up his feeding to 1mL every 3 hours. It got crazy in the NICU because they had twins born and they weren't expecting them, so Collin is no longer the smallest.
October 17th, 22 days olds. 26 weeks gestation. Collin weighs 830 grams 1lb 13 1/2oz. Collin has changed so much since he was first born, he is getting so big. Collin has been doing well with his oxygen, he has been around 40% and as low as 30%. His eyes are opened; he is on 1mL of feedings every 3 hours.
Collin is still doing good. Robert and I are going to be pros by the time Collin comes home. Collin got two tummy times today, which he loves. From what we hear, he does better with oxygen so he gets a least one tummy time a day.
There is a nurse that takes pictures for the NICU and does little posters for the 1 month 2 months and so forth. So, she was here last night taking pictures she got good ones, and is going to give us a DVD of the pictures she takes.
October 18th 23 days old. Collin is doing well today. He is being a good boy like always. He has been stable all day. He has been doing well on oxygen, between 30% and 40%. He is on his tummy. I love helping with his cares, his cares consists of changing his diaper, feeding, and oral care wiping out his mouth with water (making sure it’s not dry.) I am very proud of Collin he is doing so well. I got to give Collin a "bath" again. I gave him a bath last week. Collin is weighing at 850 grams 1lb 14oz almost 2 lbs, length, 13 1\4 in long.
October 19th 24 days. When I took Robert in last night to see Collin his, repertory therapist and nurse let us kiss Collin on the forehead. It was so sweet, he seemed to like it :-) we got to "hold" him in our hands.
Just got to the hospital to see Collin he is doing good. Doctor hasn't gotten in to do his exam yet, but he will be soon. His nurse Ashlee said he pooped this morning, that's 3 times now Yeah!
Collin has been a little stinker on oxygen but nothing to worry some. It is normal for them to be swinging on oxygen, so I'm not too worried. Other than that he is being good.
He's doing good. He needed another transfusion because he's hema globins are a little low, but we've been told that is normal.
It's been about 10 days since his last one and that's the longest they've ever gone between transfusions, the doctor said that was good.
October 12th 17 days old :-)
When we saw Collin last night, the tear in his lung has closed and repaired itself which is good. They kept him down on the ventilator and up on oxygen to make sure the tear is repaired for sure. Collin has been doing great with his oxygen he's been swinging between 40% and about 90% so that's good. He's doing good, no changes. They took out his art line (blood pressure line) because it wasn't reading right because it’s been there for over a week, no problem with that though, so they are going to leave it out for a little while, he has good blood pressure for now. Other than that he is doing great. Dr. Cheatham says they are going to give Collin a "holiday" tomorrow, meaning they are not going to draw any labs, yeah! We love this little boy! So, proud of you Collin keep up the good work son. Can't wait till we get to bring him home. He is growing & getting smarter by the day. Too sweet!
October 13th 18 days old. Last night Collin weighed 780 gram which is 1lb about 11 1/2oz, he is getting bigger. Collin's eyes are still fused shut. Last night as I was helping change Collin's diaper he was trying so hard to open them. It was way cute. His left eye is just about to open. There is a baby girl by Collin who likes to cry and a couple times he got a look on his face like he wants to cry, it’s cute.
They switch sedation meds, which makes him twitchy, but he is ok still. I need to pump, I've got my hand on him and every time I go to move he starts twitching again, it’s cute.
They took an x-ray and it looks better and Carmon, his nurse turned him a little on his left side now he's not so twitchy. Collin's doing a lot better now. He is down just below 60% oxygen. He's not twitchy just a little wiggle here and there. He is our good little angel boy. :-) He loves his mommy and daddy and knows whenever we are with him. He also knows that mommy, and daddy loves him very much and knows everyone else loves him too.
October 14th 19 days old. He is really close to opening his eyes.
Collin is doing much better since about 10 last night. It was a little scary but everything is ok. They are monitoring him to see if he was having seizures, so far so good. We will find out more later when they check it. I know everything is ok. He is our Superman, our little trooper. Collin's nurse told us last night that they found a little plastic thing that holds on the probe right above his bum, no wonder our little guy was so uncomfortable :'-( poor little guy.) We hope that is all that it was, just being uncomfortable. Made mommy sad.
No seizure activity so it must have been that little plastic thing I told you about, he is much better today. Relaxing & calm, down as low as 30% oxygen.
Dr. Cheatham even said he came in every so often yesterday to just look & watch him and he said he didn't think it looked like seizure activity. So, he thinks it had something to do with that plastic thing and just being uncomfortable.
October 15th 20 days old. Collin is doing great. He opened his eyes today, so freaking cute. His doctor, Wende says he is doing great, a lot better than two days ago. They are feeding him now, 1/2mL every 3 hours. His doctor is going to put him on a feeding schedule. Meaning up the amount according to his weight.
October 16th 3 weeks old. 25 weeks & 6 days Collin has been stable all day, he's been as low as 30% oxygen, & they up his feeding to 1mL every 3 hours. It got crazy in the NICU because they had twins born and they weren't expecting them, so Collin is no longer the smallest.
October 17th, 22 days olds. 26 weeks gestation. Collin weighs 830 grams 1lb 13 1/2oz. Collin has changed so much since he was first born, he is getting so big. Collin has been doing well with his oxygen, he has been around 40% and as low as 30%. His eyes are opened; he is on 1mL of feedings every 3 hours.
Collin is still doing good. Robert and I are going to be pros by the time Collin comes home. Collin got two tummy times today, which he loves. From what we hear, he does better with oxygen so he gets a least one tummy time a day.
There is a nurse that takes pictures for the NICU and does little posters for the 1 month 2 months and so forth. So, she was here last night taking pictures she got good ones, and is going to give us a DVD of the pictures she takes.
October 18th 23 days old. Collin is doing well today. He is being a good boy like always. He has been stable all day. He has been doing well on oxygen, between 30% and 40%. He is on his tummy. I love helping with his cares, his cares consists of changing his diaper, feeding, and oral care wiping out his mouth with water (making sure it’s not dry.) I am very proud of Collin he is doing so well. I got to give Collin a "bath" again. I gave him a bath last week. Collin is weighing at 850 grams 1lb 14oz almost 2 lbs, length, 13 1\4 in long.
October 19th 24 days. When I took Robert in last night to see Collin his, repertory therapist and nurse let us kiss Collin on the forehead. It was so sweet, he seemed to like it :-) we got to "hold" him in our hands.
Just got to the hospital to see Collin he is doing good. Doctor hasn't gotten in to do his exam yet, but he will be soon. His nurse Ashlee said he pooped this morning, that's 3 times now Yeah!
Collin has been a little stinker on oxygen but nothing to worry some. It is normal for them to be swinging on oxygen, so I'm not too worried. Other than that he is being good.
He's doing good. He needed another transfusion because he's hema globins are a little low, but we've been told that is normal.
It's been about 10 days since his last one and that's the longest they've ever gone between transfusions, the doctor said that was good.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
CJ
Collin J VanBibber
Robert and Stacey are proud parents of a cute, sweet 1 lb 4 oz, 12 in long baby boy. Collin J VanBibber was born September 25th, 2011 at 9:59pm. He was born very unexpectedly after mom, Stacey, followed her feelings and went to the hospital because ‘things just didn’t seem right’. Even the doctor wanted to know what made her come. The spirit speaks in many different ways. We attribute the healthiness of our young son to that spirit and to our Heavenly Father for bringing us to the hospital where there were many doctors and nurses that could help Collin in his earliest minutes, and days.
Mom got to change Collin’s diaper on the 26th of September. Can you believe it, so tiny; his diaper is the size of a cell phone. Mom and Dad have great hope and faith for their little prince. Collin is doing very well for where he is at. Collin has a PDA in his heart. That is the artery that bypasses the lungs while babies are in the womb but closes at birth. Collin is so small that his didn’t close. They are going to try medicine to see if this helps. We hope.
On September 27th, Collin was having a little problem with his blood pressure but with the doctors and nurses help he is doing well, and they are keeping it under control. This is what they are concentrating on today. They made a name tag for Collin today. He is no longer Baby boy VanBibber. He is Collin. What a proud moment, kidding. But it really is exciting. An ultrasound was done today on Collin’s brain to check for fluids. He has a small grade 1 brain bleed. Doctors not too concerned. Robert gave Collin a name and a blessing tonight before we left the hospital. It was wonderful. It calmed me even more because of what Robert said in the blessing. He started the blessing with ‘If it be Thy will, please bless…’. I think it also calmed the two of us for his surgery even though we didn't know that Collin was going to have surgery at the time. I love both my husband and my little guy Collin, and I am very proud of both of them.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011, Collin is three days old now. Seems like forever….not really but…really. Dad got to hold Collin up for a minute while they weighed him and changed his diaper and then he grabbed mom’s finger. Awesome! The hospital said that he is stable and doing well, they are weaning him off the blood pressure medicine to see what happens. The doctor is very pleased with how he is doing. Thank you everyone for all your support and prayers. Keep them up please. We love you.
Collin is still stable and doing good today, September 29th. Today we find out about his heart, to see if the medicine help close the PDA. The medication didn’t work. The PDA is still open. What a letdown….but he is still a fighter and doing very well.
September 30th, Collin is our big fighter and will continue to fight and we know he will come home with us. We love him very much and are so proud of his progress. They found a small grade 4 brain bleed today. They doctor says it might cause brain damage, or it may not. There is no sign of anything like that. Collin is very responsive. I got a calm feeling as the doctor was explaining things to us. The doctors are keeping a close eye on it, but they are very pleased with how he is doing. It is hard on mom because even though I know everything will be alright. I just can’t hold him or even touch him right now because I might have a cold or something. I am being very cautious.
October 1st, Collin is doing great. He is looking a lot better. They have lowered his oxygen and he is not on any antibiotics and there is no sign of infections. He has been on and off blood pressure medicine, but he is doing a lot better than before, which is good. Thank you everyone…..Thanks, thanks, thanks. Another first, they started to feed him today. Just a little, but go Collin.
October 2nd, Collin is still doing good today. He is very stable. We had a scare tonight. At about 11pm Collin’s blood pressure started dropping into the teens. It’s supposed to be between 25 and 30. They turned up his blood pressure medicine and gave him another one and were finally able to stabilize him. Wow, real scary, awful. We and some of our family fasted today for Collin, that his heart might repair itself, that his brain bleeds will decrease. Thank you Heavenly Father for all we have received already. We have a very long road ahead of us, but we will make it through with the Lords help. Collin, mommy and daddy love you so very much.
October 3rd, Collin has been stable since last night, this is good. They did another ultra sound on his brain today. The doctor thinks maybe the bleeds are shrinking. Wouldn’t that be a miracle. Of course this whole week, everything, has been one continual miracle. The Lord really is in control. Collin has a 2.5 brain bleed, but the grade 4 is gone. They don’t think it was ever there. Right…but his PDA is still there. Collin is scheduled for surgery tomorrow midmorning. It’s amazing how Collin seems more calm and stable whenever I and/or Robert are with him. He really knows we are here.
October 4th, Collin’s heart operation didn’t happen until around 2 o’clock. He did very well. The clamp that they used was so very tiny. They gave me one to put in his baby book. They had him off one of his blood pressure medicines before we were even allowed back to see him and the 2nd one they took off when we went in. His heart is working…..yea. He will be sleeping mostly for the next 24 to 48 hours but he is doing awesome.
October 6th, they put Collin on his tummy today. He is doing very well. He is stable and down on his oxygen. They only have one light on him, and his incision looks good. Can you believe the blessings… They put him on his tummy and he seems to love it. The doctor says there is no change, Collin seems to be doing really well.
October 7, Collin is doing good, just got a call from the doctor, Collin is doing well off the lights, they may have to him back on but he is off them for now, he is down a little on the ventilator also. His oxygen is down. They may start feeding him today, and Collin is very active. Collin looks so good today. He is less swollen and his skin looks so good. He looks tinier. Collin's nurse said that his swelling went down a little today. With the fluids Collin gets, he kind of ballooned up but he is only a swollen around his neck and it went down a lot! I think Collin is looking more and more like a baby and not so fragile. Every time I see him I think he looks great, his skin looks good, he is looking more like a baby. He has always looked like a baby, but not real somehow. More like a doll or something. Collin is getting so smart. When Robert and I got to the hospital last night Collin didn’t have his hat on. We asked the nurse and she promised that it was just on him. She rushed over and fixed it. While Robert and I were sitting there watching him and talking, Collin lifted up his hand and pushed his hat off again, it was really cute. We are so proud of you Collin…. keep up the great work. We love you so much! Wow, we received Collins social security card in the mail today…talk about fast work.
October 7, Collin is doing good, just got a call from the doctor, Collin is doing well off the lights, they may have to him back on but he is off them for now, he is down a little on the ventilator also. His oxygen is down. They may start feeding him today, and Collin is very active. Collin looks so good today. He is less swollen and his skin looks so good. He looks tinier. Collin's nurse said that his swelling went down a little today. With the fluids Collin gets, he kind of ballooned up but he is only a swollen around his neck and it went down a lot! I think Collin is looking more and more like a baby and not so fragile. Every time I see him I think he looks great, his skin looks good, he is looking more like a baby. He has always looked like a baby, but not real somehow. More like a doll or something. Collin is getting so smart. When Robert and I got to the hospital last night Collin didn’t have his hat on. We asked the nurse and she promised that it was just on him. She rushed over and fixed it. While Robert and I were sitting there watching him and talking, Collin lifted up his hand and pushed his hat off again, it was really cute. We are so proud of you Collin…. keep up the great work. We love you so much! Wow, we received Collins social security card in the mail today…talk about fast work.
October 9th, Collin is 2 weeks old today. I just called Vicki, Collins nurse. She said Collin is doing well, and looks really good, not so puffy anymore from all the fluids. We are so proud of Collin, in just 2 weeks our little boy has come so far. He is starting to look like a little baby and not so fragile. He is so cute and tiny. He is still off the lights that were for jaundice. He has been off them for 3 days now.
October 9th, I am more grateful than ever for my little family and the gospel. I know the church is true, and that President Monson is a true prophet. I am very close to our Heavenly Father and look forward to getting closer. I know how powerful priesthood blessings are and I know that blessings really work. The day Collin was born, Robert gave me a blessing telling me I would give birth to a healthy baby boy, and I believed what he said. It was true and is coming true. Robert also got a blessing. Our blessing helped us out so much. They calmed us both. When Collin was 3 days old Robert was able to give him a name and a blessing and it was so powerful that it also calmed me down and after both mine and Collin's blessings I knew everything was/is going to be fine. I love my husband very much and am very grateful for him. I am so grateful that we have our little son Collin and am grateful that he is a part of our lives; I wouldn't have it any other way. I am grateful for Collin and how far he has come in just 2 weeks. I love him very much. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Stacey Dawn VanBibberOctober 10th, Collin is getting so smart, and you can see his little personality coming. He is smart because he pushes his hat off all the time, he loves pushing he's hat off. He has pulled one of his probes off his tummy. Collin's personality is so cute, he was on his tummy and I was changing his diaper and (he had his first poop) anyway while I was changing him, he kept going onto his knees, then stretching them out. He is getting cuter and cuter. He is getting smarter and smarter. We are still very proud of him and love Collin very much.
We talked with Dr. Cheatham and he showed me the head ultrasound and it is looking a lot better than last weeks, the brain bleed looks like it’s a smaller, it’s still there, but it kind of looks like it may be getting smaller. It looks way good. Keep up the good work sweetie. Love you!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
September 25th, 2011
Sunday September 25th, 2011 9:59pm
Robert J & Stacey Dawn VanBibber are very proud parents of a cute, sweet, loveable little preemie 1lb 4oz 12in long boy! Collin J VanBibber!
Sunday afternoon we headed to American Fork hospital to get checked for some cramping and light spotting. When we arrived there they admitted me and monitored me and was about to send me home to just really take it easy. The nurse had a feeling to check me and as she did she got this weird look on her face and decided to call my doctor, my membero sack was hourglassing. My dad showed up and help my sweet husband with a blessing. The doctor arrived and did an ultrasound and saw that I was dilated to a 2 and a very thin cervics. What I have is a incompetent cervics, which runs in my family. My doctor decided to transport me to Utah Valley Hospital for the best NICU. We arrived at the hospital and they admitted me there and put me in a labor and deliver room, tilted me so that my head was lower then my feet to see if gravity would help push back up my membero sack and they could sew me to help me keep in Collin.
I started to go into labor and was in so much pain that made Robert really scared so I thought he should get a blessing, so his dad and my dad gave him a blessing before I had Collin. Since Robert and I got our blessings we feel calm and know everything will turn out just right. When we got into the room where they delivered me Robert turned to me and said are we going to name him Collin J right, I said yes.
We are very proud to say we have a 1 week old son named Collin J VanBibber. We WOULD NEVER change a thing. Because as we go through this hard time we have a stronger and healthier little boy, everyday he gets stronger and healthier. We would like to Thank everyone for the Blessings and Prayers. We know they are helping our little family out. So, keep them coming.
Robert J & Stacey Dawn VanBibber are very proud parents of a cute, sweet, loveable little preemie 1lb 4oz 12in long boy! Collin J VanBibber!
Sunday afternoon we headed to American Fork hospital to get checked for some cramping and light spotting. When we arrived there they admitted me and monitored me and was about to send me home to just really take it easy. The nurse had a feeling to check me and as she did she got this weird look on her face and decided to call my doctor, my membero sack was hourglassing. My dad showed up and help my sweet husband with a blessing. The doctor arrived and did an ultrasound and saw that I was dilated to a 2 and a very thin cervics. What I have is a incompetent cervics, which runs in my family. My doctor decided to transport me to Utah Valley Hospital for the best NICU. We arrived at the hospital and they admitted me there and put me in a labor and deliver room, tilted me so that my head was lower then my feet to see if gravity would help push back up my membero sack and they could sew me to help me keep in Collin.
I started to go into labor and was in so much pain that made Robert really scared so I thought he should get a blessing, so his dad and my dad gave him a blessing before I had Collin. Since Robert and I got our blessings we feel calm and know everything will turn out just right. When we got into the room where they delivered me Robert turned to me and said are we going to name him Collin J right, I said yes.
We are very proud to say we have a 1 week old son named Collin J VanBibber. We WOULD NEVER change a thing. Because as we go through this hard time we have a stronger and healthier little boy, everyday he gets stronger and healthier. We would like to Thank everyone for the Blessings and Prayers. We know they are helping our little family out. So, keep them coming.
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