Micah update

We are on our way to another eye exam for Micah. These are not her favorite things, to say the least. She didn't mind them so much at first, but I suppose they were mild compared to what else she had going on. As she gets used to being loved and protected all day every day, having her eyes poked at has definitely become less tolerable. We are praying for another great report and a long break until her next visit.

Last week we saw Micah's lung doctor. She seems to be doing well, but we had to change our approach to weaning her off of the oxygen. We are waiting on a new machine to measure the level of O2 in her blood over a long period of time before we can proceed any further. The good news is there is no danger for Micah in being on her current level of support for an extended level of time. It's just logistically harder to get through each day while dragging around a big machine or a tank of O2.

Our little Ahava also received her first shot last week. We still aren't planning on doing any vaccinations (at least not many and not soon), but one shot her doctor did strongly recommend was to help with RSV (respiratory syncytial [sin-sish-uhl] virus), which could be exceptionally hazardous for Micah as she outgrows her Chronic Lung Disease (from prematurity) over the next couple of years. It (Synagis) is not a vaccine, and it does not pretend to create any sort of immunity. Rather, it is a transfusion of antibodies. Nothing toxic or harmful touches Micah. I even called the lab that makes Synagis to learn how this "humanized" product is made, and to be sure no moral lines (like fetal stem-cells) were employed. Most children develop RSV before they are two, and for former preemie's like Micah it can be very serious, even deadly. Synagis prepares her ahead of time, so that when the virus attacks, she is already prepared for it. Otherwise, the antibodies do nothing, unlike a vaccine. The shot only lasts a month, because the antibodies die, so she has to get a shot every four weeks all winter. Additionally, she won't be fully dosed until next visit, and she will require a larger dose (eventually meaning multiple shots) as she gains weight (which she is slowly but steadily). Except for not appreciating the needle and needing her daddy to comfort her, she did great!

So, if you think about it, pray for safety as we travel. Pray for a good report. Pray for protection from germs. Pray for Micah to eat well. Also pray for rest, peace, and energy for Mama and Papa. While you're at it, pray for me to find the right job. They had to fill my position at the hospital and I wasn't able to find another one. Thanks. God bless. Remember: God is in the business of doing miracles! I have proof!

@     @
*
\___/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Caption Contest!

Image
Today Micah reached 2 lbs, 0.5 ounces. In order to celebrate, Olivia (and Micah) suggested a competition. So, here's the deal: Think of a caption for this picture and contribute it in the Comments below by clicking on the underlined word "comments". The winner will get a guest appearance on a popular sitcom, a cash prize of $2000.00, and a special gift from Micah. (Well, maybe just a special gift from Micah!) Micah also asked me to tell you that she is progressing on her ventilator and her lungs have cleared very well because her lungs are growing. Praise God! She did have to have a transfusion to get her red blood cells up where they need to be, because she is making less blood than she uses. (But, hey! She's only 5 weeks and 1 day old [gestationally 28 weeks, 5 days] and is amazingly making making her own blood, how much more do you expect?) So, think of your caption, enter it in Comments below, and keep praying! Add Your Caption Here {click b...
Read more

Gone

We saw her born. I cut her cord. We waited. We loved and thanked her birth-parents. We visited with them, ate with them, rejoiced with them. We took her from the hospital. We watched her all night. We hardly slept. We set up stations for changing and sleeping. We fed her. We changed her. We worried about germs. We held her. We prayed over her. We sang to her. We talked to her. We cleaned the stub of her umbilical cord. We memorized her changing little face: her nose, her ears, her blue eyes, her soft dark hair. She was perfect and we fell in love right away. She squeaked. She sighed. She looked at us. She snuggled. She held our fingers. She ate passionately, liked noise better than quiet, and learned to anticipate a camera's flash by the "1 - 2 - 3" that preceded it. Never had either of us been so happy. Yesterday, we packed her things in the car. We started driving back home. I drove. Olivia sat in the back with her. We sang praises to Jesus. Every mile was joy. We stopp...
Read more

100 Days of Micah!

Image
Here are my girls! Today is Micah Ahava Elise's 100th day!     So, what are some of our favorite things about Micah?   1. She is alive! 2. All her labs are normal 3. She is 5 1/2 pounds 4. She is awake a lot 5. She is breastfeeding 3 times a day 6. She is 14 weeks, 1 day (37 weeks, 5 days gestation) 7. Her steroids have stopped (really this time) with no signs of stress 8. She smiles 9. She makes sounds while she is eating 10. She burps! 11. Her eyes look good and healthy 12. She has a strong heart 13. She had a good echo-cardiogram 14. She squeaks 15. She follows you with her eyes 16. She likes to "nuggle" 17. She is progressing on her O2 support 18. She is strong 19. She is really cute! 20. She has done everything they have asked her to do 21. She already has lots of friends (including you!) 22. God has amazing plans for her life 23. She has 10 toes 24. She has daddy's hairline (temporarily) 25. She is an answer to prayer 26. She...
Read more