Chillin' on CPAP

We apologize for the "pause" in posting. We got some much needed rest.

Daniel is doing well. He was taken off the nasal cannula and put on CPAP on Tuesday because he was struggling with breathing. It is very rare that a baby goes from the vent to the nasal cannula. Daniel gave it his best shot.

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) delievers pressurized to a baby's lungs and assists the baby with breathing but does not breathe for the baby. Daniel is breathing on his own.

Daniel has started "eating". Daniel is being fed one teaspoon of breastmilk every 3 hours through a feeding tube. This is not his only source of nutrients, he is receiving nutrients and lipids (fat) through his IV as well.

Daniel gained 3 ounces. His current weight is 2 pounds, 3 ounces.

Pop-Pop and Nanny

Happy Anniversary!

We love you!

Off the Vent

Daniel has had another big day today.

Daniel's PDA was closed with the medication so he will not have to have surgery.

Daniel's plalette count was low (64,000), 50,000 is critical. Daniel recieved a plalette transfusion.

The doctor tried to start a new centeral line in his arm so the on in his belly button could be removed but it was unsuccessful. It is very common for preemies to centeral lines in their belly buttons but doctors try not to leave these lines in for too long because there is a high risk for infections and blod clots.

The doctor told us this morning that Daniel was ready to be taken off the vent but she was going to wait and do it tomorrow to not stress him out anymore today. We got a phone call around 2:30 p.m. from Daniel's nurse (Carol) telling us that Daniel was off the vent. What a nice surprise.

We got to see Daniel's precious little face without a lot of tubes. Daniel looks a lot like Daddy.

Daniel was weighed again tonight and he is back up to his birth weight...2 pounds.

Daniel's Heart

Daniel has had a pretty big day today.

Daniel is no longer jaundice and the phototherapy lights have been turned off.

The Neonatalogist thought she heard a heart murmur and called in the Cardiologist. The Cardiologist confirmed that Daniel does have a murmur which is very common in preemies.

Daniel has Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). PDA is a heart defect common in preemies. Everyone is born with a large artery (Ductus Arteriosus) that normally closes on it's own right after birth. However some babies, especially preemies need a medicine to close the ductus. Daniel will recieve 3 shots of medication to close the ductus. If the medication does not work the ductus will be closed with surgery.

Daniel oxygen has been turned down to 12%. The doctor said that he should be off the vent by Tuesday.

Big Eyes

Daniel is hanging on. There has not been a lot of changes, he is still being weened from the vent and seems to be tolerating the changes very well.

Granny 2 (Pam) arrived last night to stay with Mommy and to meet Daniel. Thanks for being here Pam!

Daniel opened his eyes today while Mommy and Granny 2 were visiting him. (They cried.)

Daniel was weighed today. He has lost weight. His current weight is 1 pound, 15 ounces.

Mommy was released today. It was hard leaving Daniel but knowing he is in good hands made it a little easier.

Miracle Drug

Daniel bounced back after a rough night, all he needed was a little piece and quiet.

Daniel recieved 4 doses of a medicine called Surfactant (a soapy like substances that coats the lungs and keeps small air sacs in the lungs from collasing). One of Daniel's doctors refered to Surfactant as a miracle drug.

Daniel is slowly being weened of the vent. He is currently on 35% oxygen and doing well.

The First 24 - Holding On

Daniel made it through the first 24 hours which seems to be the most critical time in a preemie's life.

Daniel was put on a respirator to assist with his breathing, he was started out at 60% oxygen and is now down to 40%. Daniel has been breathing above the respirator which is a very good sign.

Daniel's blood sugar was low right after birth but that was elevated and gotten under control quickly.

Daniel has jaudince (a yellow discoloration of teh skin and whites of the eyes) and is being treated with phototherapy.

Mommy was very sick last night and was not able to see Daniel. She woke up this morning ready to see her boy.

Daniel was struggling with his breathing tonight. His nurse (Laura) said the nursery had been busy today and all the activity seemed to stress him out. They moved all the crying babies to another part of the nursery and Laura told everyone that it "Daniel's area" must be kept quiet.

Daniel is only a day old and is already ruling the world.

Thanks Laura for watching out for our little man.

Daniel Jackson Lloyd Arrives (11 weeks early)

Daniel arrived today at 2:55 p.m. weighing in at 2 pounds and measuring 13.5 inches.

Jenny (a.k.a Mommy) developed pre-eclampsia and Daniel had to make his apperance 11 weeks early via an emergency c-section after an ultrasound showed the blood flow through the umblical cord was blocked.

Daniel is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Southern Hills Medical Center in critical but stable condition.

Mommy is at Southern Hills Medical Center recovering from the c-section.

Daddy is at home getting some much needed rest from all the unexpected events that have happened.

Thanks Nanny for staying at the hospital tonight!