Back on Canula!
CURRENT WEIGHT: 2 LBS, 12.9 OUNCES
CURRENT LENGTH: 14.75 INCHES
As of 6 a.m. this morning, Truman is back on nasal canula! He's had one Apnea/Brady episode since he was upgraded, but there is discussion this time about upping his caffeine dosage to aid with the canula. Although we're not quite sure he's big enough for canula, he definitely is tired of the nose prongs. In recent days, he has spent an increasing amount of time fighting them, pulling them out, and being generally agitated. Let's hope the graduation up to canula lasts longer this time!
Truman is handling the work of maintaining his own temperature quite well, although being dressed and undressed is no easy feat. NICU-designed clothing makes it a lot easier, i.e. nothing gets pulled over his head and everything opens up flat for ease of access, but he still does a lot of wriggling during the process. Thanks again to the folks at places like Chicken Little Preemie who actually make clothes for babies this small.
We continue to be frustrated with the pace of his growth. He is up to 2lbs, 13 ounces (almost). But, we looked back at our journal and realized that he has only grown 12 ounces this month. He also grew 12 ounces during his first month of life, but most of that growth was compressed into a couple of weeks because he didn't grow during his gut issues. The idea of a Thanksgiving homecoming is no longer viable unless he gets some miracle growth spurt. Now, we are hoping for Christmas, which is actually three weeks after his due date.
We discovered this weekend that Truman is not a born Longhorn as Mom would hope. On Sunday afternoon, we brought up the new Halloween receiving blanket that Grandmomy made for the top of his isolette. When we removed the blue one and replaced it with orange, Truman looked around at it for a few seconds and took it all in before beginning to scream. So, we put a white blanket under it to temper the orange and that seemed to please him. Maybe he was just telling us that it needs to be burnt orange (rather than bright, Halloween orange) to be his true color.
posted by Kara @ 1:14 PM
5 Comments:
Hooray for Truman!!! Being on the canula is great news!
He'll start growing faster soon. Just remember that the due date homecoming is just a guideline - it's not absolute. The important thing is that Truman will come home when HE is ready! (That's how I felt with Sarah).
Grow Truman Grow!!!!
Maggie (IV Preemies)
Come on Truman...grow quicker please!!!
It will still be a Christmas blessing to have him home with you then. He was so tiny when he was born, and such a little fighter. He will grow....he's just taking his time.
Way to go Truman! Sorry to hear about the orange blanket causing trouble. I should have told you sooner that MAROON is the way to go! Gig 'Em!
Julie (Halle's mom)
Ben and Kara - you don't know me, but I'm the lady from PHPC who called shortly after you had Truman. We had a little guy who was born at Baylor 3 months early (27 weeks) on May 30. As of August 23, we're home and have a new set of challenges with that! Our little guy had different issues than Truman --pneumothoraxes (3) and sepsis. He came home on a canula and a monitor. However, those are very manageable.
One of the other nicu families that befriended us while we were up there has a blog www.kellarreid.com Kellar had some of the same issues as Truman -- brain bleeds and the intestinal challenges. It might be encouraging to see how that little guy and his family fought through some similar situations.
If we can do anything to help you, please let us know. I have some great preemie clothes that do well in the Nicu that you're more than welcome to use. Elizabeth or Fran can put you in touch. We'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
By the way, there are some great UT clothes for newborns. Our little guy gears up on Saturdays! Melinda and Chris
I have to say that my whole family got a kick out of the orange thing!Virginia will barely wear orange for Halloween either. The kids are afraid Truman will refuse to wear his pumpkin costume for Halloween, but we decided maybe couldn't see the orange very well if he's actually wearing it.
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