Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Baby Drew Update!

Hello, everyone! My wonderful sister-in-law Amy offered me her laptop so I can blog and give you all an update. Thank you Tracie, for blogging about the birth of our fabulous boy, and thank you all who have commented and are praying for him. We really appreciate the support through this unexpected time.

Like Tracie said, Andrew was born healthy, but had pooped while in the womb. The doctors are not sure if he got some meconium (baby poop) in his lungs and that is what caused the complication or if it just happened, but he ended up with a hole in his lung which caused an air bubble to escape into his chest wall. The air bubble made his right lung partially collapse, and the lung itself was pushed to the side where it shifted his heart and other lung into the other side of the chest wall. He was put into an oxygen tent and given a concentrated dose of oxygen, hoping that would help break up the air pocket and his body would re-absorb it. He has been getting x-rays a few times a day, and this morning we received the wonderful news that it looks like the air bubble is gone, and his heart and lungs are back in the right position. He is still in the oxygen tent and I have not been able to hold him since he was first born, but we are hoping to remedy that soon. They are slowly decreasing the amount of oxygen that is being pumped into the tent, and so far his oxygen levels are staying up. We went in to see him around 10:30 this morning, hoping to hold him, but his respiration rate was too high to risk it yet. We will try again after lunch. Hopefully we will be able to hold him soon and if all goes well, maybe attempt feeding him this evening. The doctor cautioned us that is anything is going to cause a setback, the feeding will since sucking puts negative pressure on his lungs, so your prayers would be appreciated this evening as we attempt to continue down this road to recovery.

Other than all of this, he is a healthy, relaxed baby. He looks like Marty and has a nice head of dark hair, and big chubby cheeks. He finally opened his eyes for me this morning, and they are blue so far. All the other kids were born with blue eyes and they turned brown within a year, so we will wait and see what happens with his eye color. He is absolutely beautiful and I will post more pictures when I get home. Thankfully, this is something that just happens to some babies, and will have no long term affects on his health. He will go home a healthy boy, and if all goes well, we might get to take him home this weekend. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and pray for baby Andrew's full, quick recovery. Thank you for all of your support, I'll try to update when I can!

5 comments:

JoEll said...

i am glad that you updated today because i have been wondering all day. I am praying that he will be able to be held by you and marty tonight

Love my babes said...

The kids and I are praying. My heart goes out to you. It is so hard to see your child having a struggle w/their health. But we will continue to pray that it is s/thing the Oxygen can shake loose. I will also pray you can stay in the hospital till little Drew gets to come home w/you. I am also a HUGE breastfeeding supporter and can only imagine how hard it is to not be able to do that or hold that little sweetie. But I am trusting God that you will get to take home your healthy little boy VERY soon!
Lots of Love,
Amy & kids

Becca said...

What a beautiful baby boy!
I will keep you all in my prayers.
Hi! My name is Becca and I'm a fellow marysville blogger!
I found you by clicking on feedjits link for marysville blogs.
Take care!
Becca
www.beccasfreshfruit.blogspot.com

barbnwmn said...

Hi Tiffani:

So glad to hear Andrew was born healthy, but sorry to hear about his problems with his lungs. Please be assured of my prayers for his complete healing. I am sure his sister is anxious to see and hold him.

Love & Prayers,
Barbara Williams

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that Andrew is doing better. You all are in my thoughts and prayers! Thanks for keeping us posted on how everything is going!

love,
Tracy