(Mom holding Charissa & Dad holding Chase on Saturday, June 7: 30 weeks 6 days gestation)
June 14, 10PM
Sorry about the 10 day delay since the last post. Over the past week and a half I have been busy helping to organize & run our presbytery's youth conference. Sleeping only 3-4 hours/day during this period left me no time to blog...
Update...
Chase took a step back on his respiration. After being on the high-flow nasal cannula for 2-3 days, the doctors placed him back on the Bubble CPAP. My wife watched with her parents as he would de-saturate (sudden drop in oxygen saturation level) & have sudden drops in his heart rate (from 180 down to 70 in a matter of seconds). But just today, the doctors said that he has stabilized. They will try him again on the high-flow nasal cannula.
Chase will be completely drug free by 4 am this morning! After his final dose of hydrocortisone, the strongest meds he will be on will be caffeine! Chase's latest head ultrasound showed that that the clot had almost completely drained. The doctor said that no more ultrasounds will be needed! Also, after testing his thyroid, the doctors declared that his thyroid levels are normal.
Weight you ask? 3 lbs. 11.26 oz (1.68Kg). He's growing well and actually has some body fat on him. He's so warm, in fact, that they don't even use the heater in his isolette. Feedings? Up to 9cc/hour
Charissa has had a hard 10 days. With lots of desaturations and bradycardias (sudden drop of heartrate), my wife and I had been very concerned. But again, just like with Chase, the doctors keep telling us not to worry. They keep saying that they are having an acceptable amount of bradycardias for their age and that they are actually doing well. Intellectually we know this is true, but emotionally it's difficult watching your kids stop breathing. She's doing well on the high flow nasal cannula. They lowered the pressure from 5 litres to 4 litres. Next step? Well, a simply nasal cannual without any pressure... How long? That's up to her!
Weight? 3lbs. .67 oz. (1.38 Kg). Feedings? 7cc/hour.
Part Deux
So what's part deux? Well... they just have to keep growing. The doctors say that they're respiratory issues will most likely resolve themselves, so not to worry.
They still have two other major exams: 1. Eye Exams (every 2 weeks) 2. Ear Exams.
Tomorrow will be their first eye exam! Preemies are susceptible to a type of retinal damage associated with premature birth. Doctors will examine her every 2 weeks until 40 weeks gestation when they will no longer be at risk. Ear exam? We don't know when they will have their first examination, so we wait...
God has been tremendously merciful to our family.... Please continue to pray for our two kids, especially for their first eye exam!
Blessings,
Choi Family
