The Bachler Family: October 2009

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Day 14 - Tuesday October 13th

Today was a good day. We are gradually making progress, I prefer to take things slowly instead of having set backs like before. I was told that I should be able to breast feed today, but when I got to the hospital the Dr and I agreed that we should give Zander one more day on 1 1/2 flow before we introduce breast feeding. So tomorrow we will start feeding if everything goes well tonight.

Zander loves to grab his cannula and pull it off.

Looks like we fixed this problem.

He is still trying to to pull it off but his little

gloves make it harder.

Day 13 - Monday October 12th

Today I started back to work part-time. So I didn't get to see Zander until early afternoon. The nurse said Zander was having a great day. He was lowered to 2 on his nasal cannula. The Dr said if he continues to progress we should be able to breast feed tomorrow.

We were able to give Zander his bath tonight. This was the first time we have given him his bath. I don't know how nurses are able to bathe infants alone (it took both Mike and I to bathe Zander). Today Mike and I also made a decision that anyone that wants to visit Zander when he is in the hospital or at home must first shower and change their clothes. I hope we don't offend too many people with this request. We are not asking anyone to do anything that we ourselves don't do. This request is to keep Zander safe and to do all we can to keep him feeling well and from returning to the NICU when we get home.

Z getting a diaper on after his bath.

Sorry couldn't take pic's during the bath.

Z getting his hair done

Z getting his hair done by Daddy

Day 12 - Sunday October 11th

Today when we went to see Zander we were told that they moved him. We no longer have a great window to look out. Now we are in a dark corner. Not to happy with the move but hopefully we will be moving to Nursery B (that is where not so critical babies go). Zander didn't make many changes today he was lowered on the high flow nasal cannula from 4 to 3 so that was good news.

Almost a complete family photo, we sure miss little Moo

Daddy and his little man

Daddy changing Z's diaper.. No shower for Daddy

Day 11 - Saturday October 10th

Today was another frustrating day. Zander is back on the CPAP and is not liking it at all. The only good thing about today was that Mike was able to come with me to the hospital. Mike pulled the Dr aside and asked him to explain why Zanders progress is going so slow. The doctor said that Zander had an infection; the x-rays are showing a problem in the upper right lung; and due to gestational diabetes, his lungs are having a hard time producing their own surfactant.

One good thing that came from the conversation Mike had with the Dr was that Zander was put on a high flow cannula. This meant that Zander was already taken off of CPAP. The one thing that I hated was that Zander had to be started with 4 liters instead of 1.5 liters. The plan now is to changed Zander's flow Q12 (every twelve hours). Zander seems much happier with this decision (by not fighting to take the cannula off as much as the CPAP).

Zander is already feeling better with the high flow nasal cannula

Every diaper change we need to check Z's tempature

Mom's turn to change Z's diaper

Z is definitely a boy. He has sprayed Mommy

every time she changes his diaper.

Day 10 - Friday October 9th

Late, last night I was able to breast feed Zander for the first time, that kind of worked. Zander latched right on but only sucked twice and fell asleep. That was kind of frustrating.

So this morning I was ready to try again. But, Zander had other plans for us. When I got to the hospital this morning I was met by the Dr who told me Zander was having difficulty breathing again, and they were going to do another chest x-ray to see how his lungs were. When the x-ray came back it was a bad sight. His lungs were back to square one. We need to put him back on the CPAP.. I didn't take this news very well.

Pic of Z before the CPAP went back on.

Pic before CPAP went back on

Day 9 - Thursday October 8th

VERY GOOD DAY!!! Zander is having a great day. He was moved to a big boy bed (well baby bed) because he is keeping his own body temperature. He also got his IV taken out because he is up to full feedings, through a feeding tube. He also got his main Artery line taken out of his belly button, so we can hold him now. Today will be the first time Mike has been able to hold Zander and my second time. I am sooooo excited.

Zander in a big boy bed.

Good day for little Z

Day 8 - Wednesday October 7th

We received a phone call last night about 8:30 from Zanders nurse, she said that Zander took off his CPAP again so the Dr. decided to let it be and see what he will do without the CPAP. So you probably can guess we didn't get much sleep last night. Mike called the nurse about 5 am to get an update on Zanders breathing he was told that Zander didn't do so well on room air so they have put a nasal cannula on him and he seems to be tolerating that really well.

Zander is showing his camera shyness!

Zander is finally getting some much needed rest

Day 7 - Tuesday October 6th

Mike went back to work today so I was alone by Zanders bedside for most of the day. Zander was taken off the lights today, but he will be staying on CPAP for another day. He isn't liking the CPAP very much today, he has taken it off his face three times today. Maybe he's ready to fight to breathe on his own.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Day 6 - Monday October 5th

Today was a busy day. Mike had his back appointment this morning at 9:30 am, so we stopped by to visit Zander before we went to Mike's appointment. We were told that Zander's Bilirubin was too high, so he will have to go under the lights. He also will be staying on the CPAP for another day.

Zander doesn't like the new head gear very much.

Way cool dude.

Now he's styling with the head gear and a binky

Zander is starting early with fake baking.

Day 5-Sunday, October 4th (Daddy's Birthday)

Today is Mike's B-day. We went to see Zander, before we went down to his parents to celebrate his b-day. When we walked into the NICU to see Z, this is what was hanging from his little bed.

Look everyone in the NICU remembered Mike's b-day!!!

Look!!! He has eyes, well at least one so far!!!

This is the first time, since we've been transported to UVRMC, that we are able to see Z's eyes.

Lyssa wanted Mike to get a picture of both Zander and the sign!!!

She didn't like this one very much, so she made Mike take another one.

Much, much better!

Day 4-Saturday, October 3rd

We have been sitting by Zander's bedside all day long. He seems to be having respiratory problems, and his sats are staying too low. His doctor just came and said that we need to put him on CPAP.

Well, at least we got to see what Zander looks like without any of his face or head gear (even if it was only for a few hours). Zander's doctor just informed us that Zander needs to go back on the Oscillator. This is a bad day for Lyssa; she is taking the news of backsliding very hard. They are going to administer their third dose of surfactant.

Zander is now back on the Oscillator. Check out his little tongue!!!

Just before we decided to head home, we took his last picture. At least Z is asleep.

Still Day 3-October 2nd

Zander has been making such wonderful progress. We finally get to take him off the Oscillator. he does not even need a nasal cannula. Now that he has his breathing down, all that is left is to get him to nurse.

Look you can finally see Z's face!!!

Bad news!!!

Zander is not doing well on just room air. He needs some help. We need to put him on a cannula.

Zander is now on a nasal cannula!!!

Look how small Z is!!!

Day 3- Friday, October 2nd

The real fun began late Thursday night. The pediatrician came into our room and told us that the surfactant was not working. They administered another dose around 10:00 p.m. He told us that they were going to give it an hour before they decided what needed to be done. At 12:00 a.m. we received a phone call informing us that Z was going to need to be transported down to UVRMC and that they needed to put him on an oscillating ventilator. We tried to get some sleep to prepare for the transfer. At 4:00 a.m. they brought Z into our room, Lyssa said goodbye, and Mike got in the car and followed them over.

Mike stayed by Z at UVRMC and Lyssa arrived (just two days after delivery) at about 6:00 a.m. Mike had to go to work, and Lyssa and her mother stayed with Z for the rest of the day. Here are pictures of Zander on the ventilator...

Zander sleeping peacefully on the Oscillator

Z is doing what boys do best (taking care of an itch)!

Z is sleeping peacefully still

We were just informed that Zander is making progress!!!

Lyssa is giving Z his first feeding!!!

Day 2 - October 1st

Zanders breathing is not getting any better, but it's not getting any worse. We may be out of the woods with the breathing issue. Zander was given his first dose of Surfactant today. This will help his lungs develop. Because I had gestational diabetes, Zander is not producing his own Surfactant at this time. Hopefully he will start producing Surfactant soon. Sorry no pictures on this day. We were just too lazy!!!

Poking and Prodding

Zander was given an IV right off the bat, and later that first night he received a UAC (Umbillical Arterial Catheter) this is used to get the most accurate blood gas reading from Zander. Pricking his heal wasn't giving very accurate readings.