Saturday, November 7, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
Everett is 28 days old and Zac got to hold him for the first time this afternoon. Zac was so nervous he was turning red and looking very serious, but when they placed Everett onto his chest Zac got teary eyed and so did I. Everett took a big deep breath and then settled in to total comfort and contentment. He occasionally would wake up to pull at Zac's chest hairs (too cute) or pull at his ventilator tube (he really tried to yank it out today), but for the most part he loved just sleeping on his daddy. This week he is feeling so much better that he has become a "wild man." His eyes are open wide and we are becoming familiar with his facial expressions, he picks up his head and moves it around, and he even peed on me earlier this week. At a heavy 2lb. 1oz., he looks so different than he did at birth or even two days ago...we are enjoying watching him grow :-)
The infection is so much improved! The third antibiotic (Claforan for you nurses) turned out to be the right one and his lab values made a huge improvement within 24 hours of starting the medication (and then he became "wild man"). They never did figure out the source, which is common for preemies, but we are thankful we got the right antibiotic for him.
He received an enema on Tuesday which resulted in a HUGE poop...something he hadn't really done yet. Now he is tolerating his feedings of breast milk and is up to 2mls every three hours!
He remains on the ventilator but is on the last setting before being taken off. He breathes completely on his own most of the time, but has the vent as a backup should he forget to take a breath.
This week he has shown huge improvements and as one of his nurses said, "I think he's over the big hump now and from here it should be smooth sailing." We're hoping she's right! But for now, he's growing and stable and that's all we really can ask for :-)
Zac has been back to work for three weeks and is doing well, just very tired. He goes to visit Everett after work every day. I go to see him during the day then again at night with Zac. Our families have been seeing him several times a week too...we're savoring every moment because we don't know if the NICU might close to visitors because of the H1N1 virus this winter. Jack is a sad puppy these days (as I'm not home during the day much anymore) but he's adjusting pretty well and we figure it is good he's getting used to a little less attention now before Everett comes home.
Thank you all for keeping our family in your prayers and good thoughts. They are all working to make Everett well!!! We are thankful everyday for all of you. We are humbled and grateful for your generosity!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
Love,
The Bollinger Family
P.S. Did you know that Everett means "strong as a wild boar?" I guess he's living up to his name!
Everett is 28 days old and Zac got to hold him for the first time this afternoon. Zac was so nervous he was turning red and looking very serious, but when they placed Everett onto his chest Zac got teary eyed and so did I. Everett took a big deep breath and then settled in to total comfort and contentment. He occasionally would wake up to pull at Zac's chest hairs (too cute) or pull at his ventilator tube (he really tried to yank it out today), but for the most part he loved just sleeping on his daddy. This week he is feeling so much better that he has become a "wild man." His eyes are open wide and we are becoming familiar with his facial expressions, he picks up his head and moves it around, and he even peed on me earlier this week. At a heavy 2lb. 1oz., he looks so different than he did at birth or even two days ago...we are enjoying watching him grow :-)
The infection is so much improved! The third antibiotic (Claforan for you nurses) turned out to be the right one and his lab values made a huge improvement within 24 hours of starting the medication (and then he became "wild man"). They never did figure out the source, which is common for preemies, but we are thankful we got the right antibiotic for him.
He received an enema on Tuesday which resulted in a HUGE poop...something he hadn't really done yet. Now he is tolerating his feedings of breast milk and is up to 2mls every three hours!
He remains on the ventilator but is on the last setting before being taken off. He breathes completely on his own most of the time, but has the vent as a backup should he forget to take a breath.
This week he has shown huge improvements and as one of his nurses said, "I think he's over the big hump now and from here it should be smooth sailing." We're hoping she's right! But for now, he's growing and stable and that's all we really can ask for :-)
Zac has been back to work for three weeks and is doing well, just very tired. He goes to visit Everett after work every day. I go to see him during the day then again at night with Zac. Our families have been seeing him several times a week too...we're savoring every moment because we don't know if the NICU might close to visitors because of the H1N1 virus this winter. Jack is a sad puppy these days (as I'm not home during the day much anymore) but he's adjusting pretty well and we figure it is good he's getting used to a little less attention now before Everett comes home.
Thank you all for keeping our family in your prayers and good thoughts. They are all working to make Everett well!!! We are thankful everyday for all of you. We are humbled and grateful for your generosity!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
Love,
The Bollinger Family
P.S. Did you know that Everett means "strong as a wild boar?" I guess he's living up to his name!
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