Apologies for not updating the blog more often, I know many of you are anxious for any piece of news. Collin does GREAT with his feedings, he drains his bottles in no time flat. He is receiving 8 mL of feeds an hour now (but translated into 16 mL via bottle every two hours). The surgeon has decided to decrease the amount of breast milk and supplement it with a predigested formula. The reasoning is the predigested formula goes through the system slower (it's harder for the body to digest) so he will not have so many bowel movements and it will help him retain the wonderful nutrients in his mother's milk.
He is now wearing cast number three (cast number two is being saved for posterity!) and you can really see a difference when the casts first come off. The foot looks really straight and "normal", after awhile it slowly relaxes back into the "club" position. We're hopeful that the cast therapy will be all that he needs to correct the foot.
Dad's pcs to Omaha is in the works. Mom and dad are currently waiting for one piece of paperwork to be finished (hopefully today) so they can fax/email the entire EFMP package to Randall AFB for consideration. Once Dad gets the ok, UNMC can register Collin within 24 hours. We are praying for this to happen quickly as the waiting gets to be draining, emotionally. Once Collin arrives in Omaha, he will be evaluated for two weeks and then the medical team will present their care plan to his parents. Dad went back to work yesterday, (he works three days on and then has three days off) so they have had another transition to go through.
Today the NICU was bustling with activity; as one Physician's Assistant quipped, "When it rains, it pours!" Collin's nurse approached to apologize for not being around to "help out" then said, "It's so great to have him mom here, she is so capable and has his cares under control." It really is amazing; not only is she doing the feeding and diaper changes, but cleaning out his mic-key tube, taking his temperature every hour and all of the cares the nurses do. The one thing I haven't seen her do is updates on the computer system, but I am sure she would do a great job at that, as well.
I will update with pictures, soon. You will be amazed at how much he grows every day!
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12 comments:
Every single comment, no matter how short or even if it feels "redundant" to you, means so much to us. Just knowing that YOU are here reading and caring helps Collin's family feel secure.
Thank you all!!
I loved reading the update today! Baby Collin is growing and doing all things he should be doing! He's a champ!
I love the photo of him lying on the blue cuddly soft blanket (with balls). It's from 8 of Lora's friends...
and is one of the gifts we gave her at the Cyber (on-line) Mini-Grandma Baby Shower for her and Collin's Aunties S and A.
It was planned when we ALL were sitting on pins and needles, toes and fingers crossed, waiting for news on Baby Collin's condition and prognosis.
By the time "The Mini-Baby Shower" arrived at Lora's, we had been given good news and Baby Collin was outta the woods... and SMILING that precious smile of his!
As always, Thank-You for the news today. I love reading every detail. Looking at every adorable photo. Everyday. Over and over and over!!!
xoxoxox
I'm glad things are steadily moving along. I am glad he's enjoying his bottles so much. I can't wait to see the new pictures!!
What Deanna said!
:O
Way to go Collin!!!
When does Offutt come into the picture? Granny N. in Omaha wants to know. Love to all.
What great news to come home from KC to!! Erin, Jennifer says to say "hi" and send you hugs! She can't believe that someone younger than her is going through such a trying experience and sends you love and prayers for all three of you.
((()))
Tammy
It looks like we may be goning to Omaha around the 7th of May but no latter than the 21st! Collin's doing great! Hope to see you all soon! Love matty and erin
Correction...
The predigested formula(Neocate)Collin is on is not harder to digest, it is actually the easiest. Breast milk and other formulas may be too harsh for Collin to handle, meaning it goes in and flies right out. Neocate is specifically manufactured for infants with short bowel and reflux problems too slow down the digestive process.
Wonderful news about UNMC! Sending good vibes and best wishes that Collin continues to improve every day and that one day soon he will be home in his own crib with his mommy and daddy.
Erin Darling ~
Regarding your comments about breast milk being too harsh for Baby Collin's digestive system right now.....
.... AND how it flies right through him:
I was/am a very strong advocate of breast feeding... and even introduced myself at times, as Deanna-La-De-Leche.
I'm not sure if, at first, it was cuz I was lazy and it was easier than mixing, boiling, measuring formula, or because I worked in the New Born ICU at the time I was pregnant with my first son (of 3 sons, 30+ yrs ago, so don't ask ME nuttin'... LOL ) and part of my job was to encourage and teach mothers to breast feed, if they could.
BUT, despite how wonderful breast feeding can be for both mother and baby, I will never, ever, ever forget the projectile, runny poops my sons had, from breast milk... shooting across the grocery story, all over other people in line behind me, in front of me... and even the next line over!
... on the floor, on people's antique Persian rugs, on the walls, I think one of them even hit the ceiling once, on my very best dress, on others' best dresses, on their furniture.
Anyway, please don't ever feel guilty for Baby Collin not being able to tolerate your breast milk. The Docs and the Nurses (almost) always know what they're doing.
(BUT, as you'll learn, and you prolly already do know... there will be other times, that ONLY YOU, Collin's Darling Mommy, being the only one who knows what's going on with him and what's best for him!)
I've said it before and I'll say it again, because it's just too darn amazing...
Just when I think Baby Collin is the cutest baby I've ever seen, he goes and gets even more cuter!!!
Sending XOXOXO to you, Sweetheart and to Matt....
... and to the rest of your family .... and friends.
And especially, to Sweet Precious Baby Collin!
xoxoxox
Great news, Erin and Matt. I hope your move to Nebraska will go smoothly and Collin's health will continue to improve.
Keep up the progress, Collin, your aunties are all praying for you.
Auntie Marsha
Dear Family,
It is simply astounding how much Collin has grown and is changing! I cannot believe he is already on a bottle. Whatever it takes to not make his little tummy work too hard is a good thing -- and he's still getting terrific benefit from breast milk. Erin, my hat's off to you for sticking with the pumping. I know that's not easy. I'm proud that you are such a natural at caring for your baby and it must give you great satisfaction to do so much of his "cares" (that's a sweet word). Good luck with the remaining paperwork, and I hope the rest of the waiting goes by wicked fast!
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