You will have significant experiences.
I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of
them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh
your memory of these meaningful and significant things.
Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you.
Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some
may build upon another until they represent a lifetime of
special experiences.
- Gordon B Hinckley

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Swine Flu...

 Monday, November 30, 2009

Dear Family and Friends...

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family time and good food! 

Everett is starting to improve thanks to the Tamiflu and some good rest.  On Friday he finally started to show signs of feeling better, mainly opening his eyes, throwing his arms all around, and grabbing at his ventilator tube.  So on Saturday morning, he was taken off the vent.  He is doing really, really well breathing on his own.  He is being weaned off the high pressure nasal canula and is barely requiring any pressure support.  His lungs are looking great on the x-rays, although he still requires breathing treatments to help control the inflammation in his lungs caused by being on the vent for his first month of life.  He has not had any periods of apnea, which is pretty great!  We are lucky that the Flu didn't decide to settle in his lungs.  The doctors and nurses tell us yet again that Everett is a miracle.  To have the flu that kills healthy 22 year olds and make it to the recovery stage as a preemie is pretty amazing.  We are counting our blessings and are thankful that he is so strong.  We're not out of the woods yet...but we're getting closer.  Zac and I are breathing a little easier knowing that the worst is over (we hope).  He is our little miracle baby!!!

I was able to hold him yesterday for the first time in 14 days.  He was heavier than I remember...and no wonder as now he weighs a hefty 3 lb!!!  The fact that he's still gaining weight even though he's not receiving breast milk is good.  Hopefully sometime this week he will be able to resume his tube feedings.  His belly is still firm and full, but isn't getting any worse.  As he begins to heal from the Flu, his bowels should follow.  For now, he is still receiving artificial nutrition through his IV.

He has his second eye exam today to monitor for Retinopathy of Prematurity.  This condition can result in improper growth of the blood supply to the eyes from the high levels of oxygen given to preemies in order to sustain life.  He will be monitored closely for this condition until he is two years old.  If the condition does develop, there is a laser surgery that can be done to help correct the problem.  There is the risk of blindness, but only in extreme cases.  We're hoping that his eyes are developing normally. 

Our little man continues to amaze us every day.  He is stronger than most preemies to have made it this far and be doing so well given everything that has happened.  We continue to be thankful for all of you.  You keep us positive!  Please keep up with the prayers and good thoughts.  They help him and us more than you know.

The Bollinger Family

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