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/ Update On Andy... |
Robb
Super Moderator
Posts: 423
Registered: Sep 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 06:30 PM
Some of you may know that my DW and I had a Son, Andy, in June. He was born at 26 weeks gestation, at 1 pound, 4 ounces. I am a stay-at-home-dad and writer. He will be 6 months old on Sunday, and has just hit 9 pounds.
Here is the skinny on the chubby kid as of now. After being released from the NICU, he had two additional hospital stays. One was for hernia surgery on November 5th, which we ended up getting the hemangioma (a big, mean birthmark) removed from his hip as a “bonus”. When we were there, and while Andy was still “under”, the ophthalmologist came to do a regular eye exam to follow-up on Andy’s ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) laser surgeries done before he left the NICU. It was good they could do the exam while he was “sleeping”, because they are akin to something from A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick, Warner Brothers, 1971). (Someone let me know how obscure I get in my references, please.)
While I really didn’t need to paint that picture for you, DW and I have had to stand by during his weekly post-surgical visits while he is having it done while he is awake. Some post NICU things are really more difficult than what we experienced in the NICU, and a screaming child with clips holding his eyelids open has topped the list so far. What the doctor saw during the hospital exam was not good. Both of Andy’s eyes progressed into more severe levels of ROP, with his left eye being worse than his right. Since we were already there, I suggested we try and get the eye surgeries done while he was still admitted. Sure enough two days later, Renae and I found ourselves warming the seats in the surgical waiting room again. If you are keeping count, Andy has had 7 separate surgeries on 4 occasions.
So, we take Andy home after 4 nights and continue with all of the things we have been told to do (oxygen, medications, monitoring), hoping things start getting better. About 10 days after our second stay, our third hospital stay begins. The incision from his hemangioma surgery opened, and proceeded to “self-drain” (okay, ooze) and we were quickly back at the same hospital we were at for the original surgery for another 2 days. After some IV antibiotics, and a surgeon opening up the incision, we are sent home again. There was a chance of another eye surgery, but more on that in a minute. Total hospital days to date: 112
When it comes right down to it, the end result of what we have gone through is that we are parents of a tough little kid. We are going through what every set of parents deals with in terms of a newborn. Yes, we have added challenges with Andy, but I do have to say, with each day, he is more and more “just a baby.” As of now, Andy is off oxygen, off the monitor, and off all of his medications. He really is, now, just a baby. I might regret mentioning our new nickname for Andy in the future, especially if it is used against him. We call him “cheeks” for the two whopping food storage areas on either side of his mouth, not because of his butt (or lack thereof – there is one thing he inherited from me). He is progressing well, and the follow-up appointment with the Neonatologist went very well. The Occupational Therapist was very impressed with his strength and movements, commenting he was ahead of schedule.
We still have to worry about the long term effects of the brain bleeds and all of the many things that could cause in the years to come. Yet, for now, we are worried about his eyes. He might need more surgery on his right eye, but the surgeon does think it is his strongest eye, and after his last exam he stated the eyes were stable. The retinas are both somewhat detached in each eye, so we will have to wait (a long time) before we really know how this will play out. The surgeon believes Andy has a 50% chance of “perfect” or “20/20” vision in the right eye, and 30% chance in his left. At the same time he warned us we are not out of the woods yet, with blindness being possible, and anymore surgery in the left eye would be very risky (more than eye surgery is to begin with?).
We thank everyone for the prayers said for our family this year, but if you have the time please pray for his sight.
Dad Extraordinaire
DCL Board Moderator
VISIT THE DCL BOARD TODAY!
Andy's Dad
Krispy Kreme Addict
Dog Named Walt
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Karma
Cast Member
Posts: 344
Registered: Dec 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 06:37 PM
Oh you got it!
What an interesting story on that little man's life history!
May I add him (and his mom and dad too) to a prayer
chain I belong to? I subscribe to the more the merrier
train of thought. 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Peace to all ducks
Don't forget to read my Poop Report...er...I mean my Trip Report
I poke ducks.
Ducks LIKE to be poked.
I am an expert duck poker.
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Lunarlady
Cast Member
Posts: 1629
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 06:49 PM
Robb....
Andy is a perfectly healthy, chubby little boy with poopy diapers and all. I'm glad I wasn't aware of all the things that were happening with him because that's what I'm seeing in my mind's eye at this very instant: a chubby-cheeked, drooling, smiling little 9 lb handful of mischief in the making.
Does he have hair? Do you have a pic of him smiling? My mental image of him is as a sweet but devilish little critter with twinkling eyes. I suspect he's probably wondering right now if he can hold off spitting up long enough until Uncle Kyle (every family has one) decides to do a little "Whoops a baby" tossing of Andy in the air so Andy can throw up all over Uncle Kyle and make mommy and daddy look horrified.
I KNOW Andy is going to be healthy and happy. I didn't hear too much about the happy part in your post. So I guess you'll just have to post back about what he's doing, what he's giggling about, how he smells (baby smells are wonderful and I don't mean poopy smells - you KNOW what I mean), what his favorite toys seem to be...all that jazz.
Hang in there Robb. Everything's going to work out
wonderfully.
A whole week of peaceful bliss, beginning with a giggle
and ending with a kiss. |
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Francine
Super Moderator
Posts: 1309
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 07:04 PM
I have been keeping Andy in my prayers, Robb. He sounds like a tough little guy.
Being the mom of a preemie, I have walked down the road you are on. Mine was not quite so bumpy as yours, though. We went through a surgery, along with blood problems, and stomach problems. Mari had one heck of a tough start. She is now 14, in every sense of the word. Somtimes I look at her, and I still see the same face of the tiny little baby. Her eyes still have the same gleam in them.
Francine
Come and visit my other home on the internet Our Laughing Place
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Coastalwader
Cast Member
Posts: 935
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 07:08 PM
Wow Robb...what a journey. I'll be thinking about you guys.
hang in there!
King Unca Bubba Lord DisneyTex
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Crank
Administrator
Posts: 1957
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 07:11 PM
We're all pulling for you Andy!!
And Mom and Dad too!
I like persons better than principles, and I like persons with no principles better than anything else in the world.
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891
BOYCOTT FRENCH TOAST, GERMAN SAUSAGE AND BELGIAN CHOCOLATES
Crank-->
All Content is © the Poster and is to be considered Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. Though Brilliant, Breathtaking and Extrememly Well Written the Content contained herein is Opinion and Opinion only.
ib4cruzn at charter dot net
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Robb
Super Moderator
Posts: 423
Registered: Sep 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 07:14 PM
Okay, I hope I did this right. Yes, Karma, please pray for him. Thanks to all. Yup, LL, he has hair (it's there, trust me). This was taken on 12/23.
[Edited by Robb]
Dad Extraordinaire
DCL Board Moderator
VISIT THE DCL BOARD TODAY!
Andy's Dad
Krispy Kreme Addict
Dog Named Walt
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Francine
Super Moderator
Posts: 1309
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 07:19 PM
Robb, I just did a little looking, and found there are a couple of patron saints for eyesight.
One is St. Herve. Here is his story:
quote:
St. Herve
d. 575 Feastday: June 17
Welsh bard who was is a popular patron in Brittany, France. Herve, sometimes called Harvey or Hervues, was the son of the bard Hyvarnion, and was born blind. Raised by his uncles because his mother was a hermitess, he was taken to Brittany. There he built an abbey at Lanhourneau, and he was venerated as a miracle worker and bard. He is invoked against eye trouble, and he is depicted with a wolf. Tales and legends associated Herve with a wolf.
Then there is the Archangel St.Raphael. Here is his story:
quote:
St. Raphael
Feastday: September 29 Patron of Travelers
St. Raphael is one of seven Archangels who stand before the throne of the Lord. He was sent by God to help Tobit, Tobiah and Sarah. At the time, Tobit was blind and Tobiah's betrothed, Sarah, had had seven bridegrooms perish on the night of their weddings. Raphael accompanied Tobiah into Media disguised as a man named Azariah. Raphael helped him through his difficulties and taught him how to safely enter marriage with Sarah. Tobiah said that Raphael caused him to have his wife and that he gave joy to Sarah's parents for driving out the evil spirit in her. He also gave Raphael credit for his father's seeing the light of heaven and for receiving all good things through his intercession. Besides Raphael, Michael and Gabriel are the only Archangels mentioned by name in the bible. Raphael's name means "God heals." This identity came about because of the biblical story which claims that he "healed" the earth when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels in the apocryphal book of Enoch. Raphael is also identified as the angel who moved the waters of the healing sheep pool. He is also the patron of the blind, of happy meetings, of nurses, of physicians and of travelers. His feast day is celebrated on September 29th.
Come and visit my other home on the internet Our Laughing Place
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Coastalwader
Cast Member
Posts: 935
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 07:50 PM
What a cutie! His nick fits!
King Unca Bubba Lord DisneyTex
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Crank
Administrator
Posts: 1957
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 07:59 PM
Boy howdy have a look at those cheeks!!
What a cutie! Takes after Mom?
I like persons better than principles, and I like persons with no principles better than anything else in the world.
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891
BOYCOTT FRENCH TOAST, GERMAN SAUSAGE AND BELGIAN CHOCOLATES
Crank-->
All Content is © the Poster and is to be considered Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. Though Brilliant, Breathtaking and Extrememly Well Written the Content contained herein is Opinion and Opinion only.
ib4cruzn at charter dot net
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Lunarlady
Cast Member
Posts: 1629
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 09:54 PM
LOL!!!! MUCH BETTER!!! LOVE IT!!!
HOLY CRAP!! IS THAT MY DAD?!?!?
What a little cutie! Yup...I see mischief in those eyes so you'd better watch out because he'll be mobile before you know it. Got yer runnin' shoes on, dad?
I KNOW he's going to be just fine. He's made it THIS far hasn't he? His body knows EXACTLY what to do and how to heal itself.
The only downside to his life is that he might have
aunts like me who would just LOVE playing with those
little cheekeys.
(I adore chubby cheeked babies)
A whole week of peaceful bliss, beginning with a giggle
and ending with a kiss. |
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Peggo
Cast Member
Posts: 623
Registered: Sep 2002
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Posted 12-27-02 10:43 PM
I like your line of thinking here, LL.
Picture "Cheeks" robust and happy and he will be. He's a tough little guy, and yeah, I see determination in those eyes. Robb, your family is learning some hard lessons right now, but do keep positive. (PS I get the Clockwork Orange reference. Yikes!)
...Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily...life is but a dream
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BethK
Cast Member
Posts: 100
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-28-02 01:22 PM
What a sweet guy!!!
Hugs to you all.
Two of our daughters work in NICU and thier little ones make me feel so blessed to have had 12 healthy babes.
And now 24+ healthy grand babes.
What a wonderful thing that Andy is such a strong little kid.
And that he has such strong and wonderful parents.
We'll be keeping you all in our prayers as I know he still has some challenges ahead.
*Beth*
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fantayzya
Cast Member
Posts: 586
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-28-02 05:26 PM
Ummm Robb?
After looking at that adorable pic I have one thing to say...
You guys are on TROUBLE!!!!
Prayers continue, but your survival when he's a teen is added to the list.
"One small drop of water raises the sea" Marian in Dinotopia
"One who grows does not grow old"-Texas Bix Bender, writer
"Look Mommy," he whispered. "The butterflies are dancing!" At that moment, inside my soul somewhere, all the tumblers fell into place."-Kathy Storfer, "A Dig in the Dirt," Green Prints Spring 1997
Visit WDW with my son Nate and I at Fantayzya and Nate See the World
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Belle
Cast Member
Posts: 319
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-28-02 08:20 PM
Oh, what a sweet
little angel
He is adorable! It is obvious your little man a strong
spirit - this little guy is definitely one tough cookie!
He will be in my thoughts and prayers.
{hugs}
Belle
The red cowboy hat chick
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Dab
Cast Member
Posts: 536
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-28-02 08:35 PM
Wishing Andy the best and mom and dad strength also!!!!
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annie
Cast Member
Posts: 321
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-28-02 08:52 PM
What a cutie!
I'm sending postive vibes over there +++~~~~~!
annie
"Are the fires of Hell a-glowing? Is the grisly reaper mowing? Who can provide the world with the answer to these pressing questions?"
"The candy man can," Rumsfeld added grimly.
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VanBrujah
Cast Member
Posts: 421
Registered: Sep 2002
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Posted 12-30-02 12:02 AM
Holy Crap, that is one of the cutest babies I have ever seen!
Sending good thoughts in your direction as well
VB
I wouldn't F*@k RiRi with HOWIE'S Di@k!
and now, name that quote:
"What the F*@k?
You mean you found out I did it?
You can't post that!
I'M TELLING!!"
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TrpltJanie
Cast Member
Posts: 1661
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 12-30-02 02:37 PM
Andy got FIRE in his eyes and you'll be whipped when he plays video games with you! WHIPPED I say! What a sweetie!
Janie
The Curb Kicker
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Common
Ground / Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
/ Update On Andy... |
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