We love to share the good news, so that comes first. We were taken a little off-guard yesterday when a doctor pulled Duquesa aside and told her that from 3 to 5 today they would disconnect the tube from Jerome's IV so that we could walk around with him. It didn't seem to make much sense though, so later we called a pow-wow with the doctors to get up to speed. Turns out the primary reason for unhooking him now daily for two hours is to give his liver a break because such constant IV nutrition can be hard on it. We are happy beneficiaries for those two hours, and Duquesa took Jerome for his first stroll through the hall and back. He was as curious as ever, straining his neck to see everything he could. Then I got my first opportunity to start his rigorous training as he played the role of the football while I showed him how to shake a defender. I'm just glad my little football didn't spit up on me during the spin moves.
The doctors also called us into a room today to tell us that they found Jerome has a low hemoglobin count after doing a blood test. They explained that this is somewhat normal for babies in these positions who can't eat as much as they should. They want to give him a blood transfusion to raise that hemoglobin count, which will in turn enable him to grow as much as he needs to. The least pleasant part about all of this is that we had to sign release papers to authorize the procedure because there is the obvious risk of infection coming from the new blood. They insured us that they test the blood thoroughly, but that they can never be 100%. One doctor said he is 99.9% sure that its safe. I said that's good, because then he can be 99.9% sure that I won't have to come hunt him down. I don't think he understood.
They have increased the amount of milk he takes little by little. He now drinks about one ounce seven times a day. This has inspired me to start a new dieting fad. If you can consume less than a pop can's worth of breast milk a day, I guarantee you will loose weight!!! I think I'll call it the Wet Nurse Diet. Anyone interested?
9 comments:
Jon, you have such a gift in the way you write. Thank you for bringing out our smiles!!!
Duquesa, you look even more beautiful as a mommy in the rocking chair!!!
Jerome is in God's hands...
Our love...
Duquesa, Jon, and Jerome...
(God must be proud of one of His newest little families!)
My thought was with you just now and I said a little prayer..
We love you bunches!
Jon, Jon, Jon,
The picture and commentary are just proof that I need to get that baby from you and keep him for myself. And no, it has nothing to do with the fact that I am a baby freak and want to take everyone's babies.LOL I guess it might be hard to get through you and Duquesa to get my hands on him though. It was nice to hear how things are going from Honey the other day. Congrats on the Nursing, I know that is a huge milestone to have reached. Tita, you have my greatest admiration. You have done incredible with this pumping for so long, just to keep things going for the days and nights that you and that little boy get to just snuggle and nurse all ya'll want. I know the rewards of the sacrifice will be great. May you always remember these days so that when he is 11 and causing you torment you can remind him of all the sacrafices you made for him. MAYBE this technique will work for you. I have not found it to be useful as of yet, but with each child I have hope!!! LOL
Love and Prayers,
Hunt Bunch
I can feel your pride & joy just beaming off the page!!! The scary thing is you guys are making me want another baby! Although Avery is giving me dirty looks so I guess he's not ready to share me with another sibling yet:) Jon you certainly have a way with words and everytime I log on I feel like I am visiting your beautiful family in person! And Jerome is really starting to get that round rosy "baby" look...his newborn-ness is wearing off....it must be those milkshakes from Super-mom!! Congrats on the 7oz a day!!! -I will remind you of that when he is a 170lb football player eating you out of house and home....(I bet you'll still call him "Mouse")
(On a side note, Jon, you look smashing in that NICU wardrobe- so matronly;)
Jerome looks more and more beautiful every day!!! you know you have soo many people praying for your family! i hope things keep looking up for you! love you so much!
sorry, that was from me, emma, by the way. love you all and God bless! hi rachelle if one of you gets this!
The pictures and commentary are wonderful. 27 years ago I had a daughter going through much of what you are experiencing. It was a challenging time for a few months but things all worked out well. God has been good to us since she how has two children herself. You all remain in our prayers.
u can have a lokk on my blog (gribouille on the road again... ) i have foto of u and jerome...
if u want more... valloireland@gmail.com
kiss for jerome
u can be pride of your son u know!
+++love
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