Struthers is doing quite well the past couple of days, and I know that it’s because God has heard all of your cries and answered them. And this time, the answer was as we would all prefer. So here’s a quick overview of the last few days:
- Daddy got himself better and has been here all weekend for some much-needed bonding time with me AND Struthers. He’s still an absolute pro at changing tiny little diapers through two holes in an isolette. The nurses said he should teach Daddy Diapering classes!
- Struthers turned a corner with the infection, and after only 12 hours of antibiotics, seemed to be kicking the nasty bacteria (double whammy gram-positive cocci and gram-negative rods). His original blood culture had come back within only 5 hours indicating these two infections. And only a day later, the next blood culture has yet to grow any bacteria in the last 48 hours. This is truly amazing that we caught the infection this early, and that it wasn’t as advanced as a 5-hour positive generally indicates.
- The THIRD spinal tap was also unsuccessful, so we still don’t know if the bacteria crossed the bloodbrain barrier. But they are treating him as if it indeed did, and he’s receiving the antibiotic levels to eliminate meningitis.
- Struthers is now OFF THE VENTILATOR! He still requires the CPAP for breathing, but this removal of the ventilator was a HUGE step forward for our little man.
- The PDA (a small hole in the heart common in premies/newborns) closed up considerably, going from Moderate-Large and causing some respiratory distress to Small and allowing extubation in just 2 days on Indomethacine!
- THE BEST NEWS YET: On his one-week birthday, I got to hold my sweet Struthers for the first time. I don’t think I can upload the 6-minute video to this site, but I did post it on facebook. Providers here encourage “Kangaroo Care”, which basically involves getting babies skin-to-skin with parents as soon as possible. It’s been shown to improve outcomes for preemies, and the theory behind it is that when baby is chest-to-chest with a parent, they are learning to regulate their own breathing and heartbeat by listening/feeling ours. So after holding him for about 45 minutes Friday night, I got about an hour Saturday night, and then Sunday brought a new milestone when I fell asleep (and stayed that way for two hours!) with Struthers cuddling up against me.
Apologies that this is just a brief overview, but I’ll try to write more about the emotional journey for you tomorrow. Blessed beyond measure–Cami, Eli and Struthers
Comments imported from Caring Bridge (14 comments):
SO thankful for all the good news!! TIme as your new family!!! Struthers kicking that blood infection!!! and Kangaroo time – the BEST!! Praise GOD from whom all blessings flow!!!
—Laurie Bossert, November 25, 2014
Thank you God! Thanks, Cami, for the update. Can’t wait to meet the little guy, but I’ll be patient:)
—Tamsey Bremer, November 24, 2014
That update is just perfect! Blessings abound and may they continue!
—Kathy Holmes, November 24, 2014
Such good news! Will continue to pray for you both. Thankful!
—billie mitchell, November 24, 2014
This update shows that God is answering our prayers, and we continue to lift y’all up in prayer. Love you.
—David Summerall, November 24, 2014
So glad for the good news… continuing to pray for y’all!
—Roya Seymore, November 24, 2014
So grateful for the positive update. We are all still praying. Love you.
—Joy Breeden, November 24, 2014
So many reasons to be thankful! GOD IS GOOD! What a way to start Thanksgiving week! Love to the 3 of you,
Allison, Craig, MC & Jack
—Allison Yeomans, November 24, 2014
I am a numbers person, odds, percentages, etc. y’all have obviously beaten the odds by a long shot. And doctors are right in their percentages, etc. that’s a good starting point. Me? I will take God’s numbers every time…..and those ‘numbers’ are definitely on your side. So very grateful for His control.
—Deborah Reinke, November 24, 2014
Thank you God for all the blessings!
—Theresa Myers, November 24, 2014
My heart is full of praise for our Heavenly Father and happiness for you.
—Marie Grebel, November 24, 2014
Praise God!!! I will continue to pray for y’all. What you are going through makes me realize just how very blessed we are. It makes me realize how we take life for granted.
—Deanna O’NEAL, November 24, 2014
Praise God! What wonderful news!
—Delynn Roberts, November 24, 2014
Cami, such wonderful news. GOD IS GOOD!!! What an amazing thing for you to snuggle with struthers. I remember those days holding my little one on the chest and finally getting some much needed sleep. So happy y’all had this experience. Continued prayers for your sweet little one!
—corrie rooks, November 24, 2014