Home!

After getting news last Sunday that we could bring our precious boy home this week, we scrambled to clean house and get things ready! We also spent most of the day Monday getting various in-services on equipment and CPR classes. We "roomed in" on Tuesday night at the hospital to make sure we were comfortable using the oxygen and apnea monitor, as well as the feeding pump. After a long 104 day stay in the NICU, we were able to bring Noah home on Wednesday.

We have had a few hiccups the past couple nights, but things are getting better. Night 1 was sleepless as we were getting used to the apnea monitor and trying to establish a routine. Our dog, Wilson, is unsure about having a new friend in the house, but he has behaved well. Thursday morning was not so great due to Wilson having to make an emergency trip to the vet. He got a puncture wound when we let him out. Perhaps a run-in with a neighborhood possum? Wilson is currently having a weekend sleepover at the vet while he heals...

Our first family outing was to Dr. Craft yesterday. Boy was that a challenge! Juggling 3 people's morning routines is tough! We did make it successfully to the doctor's office only a few minutes late. Noah loves a car ride! The report is that Noah looks good, and weighs 7 pounds! What a little chunky man!

I think we have finally gotten into a decent home routine, and it seems that Noah is beginning to settle in nicely. Each night gets progressively better, and we actually got a little bit of sleep last night! (We aren't holding our breath.)

While we are excited to introduce Noah to all of our friends and family, we do need to delay introductions until after flu season is over. Even a little cold could put Noah back in the hospital on a ventilator, and I don't think anyone wants that! We will try to post updates and pictures when time and energy allows. :)

Hello again!

It has taken a couple weeks for Noah to overcome the stridor (swelling of the airway) from his hernia surgery. He is now breathing and growing well! Noah is up to 5 pounds 13.3 ounces today. His oxygen flow rate has been turned down to .5 liters, and he is taking bottles like a champ! He has had some difficulty with acid reflux, but we seem to have gotten it under control with Prevacid. Noah received his immunizations last night and is preparing for a circumcision at some point this week. We are hopeful that we will be able to have our little boy home for Thanksgiving.

On the Mend

 Last week was a challenge for Noah. Following surgery, Noah started being very stridorous (his upper airway was very swollen). As the past week progressed, his swelling reduced and he started to be the baby that we have become accustomed to. He took a bottle today and took all 15 ml with minimal difficulty. His oxygen requirement is decreased and by tomorrow or the next day he should be free from his need for oxygen. The IV is gone, Noah's choice. That's right Noah removed his own IV the other day. Noah's feedings are now entirely breast milk and his acid reflux has decreased significantly. The medication for gut motility has been decreased and he slept through the night last night. We are optimistic that he will come home soon, we hope in another two to three weeks.

A tough night

The night following surgery provided some challenges for Noah. It has become apparent that Noah does not respond the greatest to sedation and or intubations. The doctors during the night removed the endotracheal tube and Noah did well for a while. He then started to have difficulty moving air and the decision was then made to re-intubate this morning, indicating that he is not quite ready to be weened off of breathing support. Today will be a tougher day due to the unknown time frame of when Noah will be back to his Nasal Cannula.

Keep the Prayers coming

An impressive two weeks and Surgery!!

      Noah has had an impressive two weeks. He continues to eat and grow. Noah's food intake has started to increase and he has had a noticeable decrease in spells so much so that he has not had any apnea and bradycardia spells since last Thursday. Noah did have a small set back last Friday, the physicians decided that they needed an upper GI study. That showed slight acid reflux resulting in the breast milk being thickened with rice cereal and Noah being put on Zantac. Noah's breast milk volume has been increased to 2/3 of his feedings, and they are attempting 4 bottle feeds per day. Noah has also learned how to nurse! He has broken the 4 pound mark and continues to grow and gain weight.
      Today Noah had surgery to repair his bilateral hernias. Noah had an excellent physician and the outcome was the best that we could have hoped for. His recovery this afternoon was a little on the sluggish side, but after surgery he deserved a rest. He is currently on a ventilator, with plans to remove that sometime tonight or tomorrow. Feedings should resume tonight as well. Tomorrow should be better and Noah should be more active. Updates will be more regular I hope. Things sure are busy as we are trying to get ready for his homecoming sometime towards the end of the month or early November!

progress

This past week and a half has been real interesting for Noah. The setbacks have become fewer and fewer apart and the progress has been very steady. While Noah continues to have a feeding tube in-place the volumes of food continue to grow with his weight. Noah is currently on what they consider full feeds. For his size and weight that is 10.5 milieters an hour, since he is on continuous feeds that’s about 1.2ounces in 4 hours. Noah’s weight is now 3 pounds, 9.6 ounces by next weekend we should have a 4-pound baby.

            Noah’s color is good and his apnea and bradycardia spells have reduces significantly his longest period without a spell has been 48 hours. Last night he decided to have one spell. Some of these spells seem to be related to his on going battle with acid reflux, which is completely normal at this stage of the game. I have had to remind myself several times that” he is not supposed to even be here yet” so anything done or gained is a bonus. His doctors seem to believe that the reflux is something that he will grow out of in time.

            Noah continues to be Mr. Popularity, he now has a team of neonatal gastroenterologist following his digestion and they have placed him on antibiotics for gut motility (erythromycin) if anyone is interested. Pediatric surgery continues to follow Noah related to his inguinal hernia. Noah is fortunate to be in Roanoke, there are two excellent pediatric surgeons both have made appearances to bedside.

            Noah successfully took his first bottle at the beginning of last week and has been working with speech therapy to learn hoe to nurse and latch on. His interest level fluctuates from day to day with the bottle but he is picking up that skill. Physical therapy is also working with Noah to strengthen his muscle movements and adapt him to Newtonian physics; apparently gravity is a foreign concept for premature babies.  

Katie and I are continuously blessed to have two excellent nurses provide the vast majority of Noah’s care. Noah would not be where he is today without the diligence of Lisa Bararra, of Sherry Elmore.

There will be another post tonight that will have few words and numerous pictures.

Apologies to ALL of our loved friends and family who have supported the Flynn family and continue to do so

Cautiously Optimistic

Noah continues to make good progress this week. We have been coasting along pretty well since our last update. Noah's oxygen flow rate has been weaned down from 2.75 to 2 with minimal spells. He is still on continuous feeds, but has gotten up to 10.5 ml's an hour, which is the maximum dose for his weight. The formula calorie count has also been increased from 20 to 22. Current weight is 3 pounds 9.4 ounces! We are hoping to get to the 4 pound mark by the beginning of next week. Noah has been experiencing some reflux issues with all the formula he is getting. NICU staff say this is very common with all babies, and do not seem to be worried.

Happy Boy

I like to Kangaroo with my Daddy!

It's been a long day. I'm exhausted!

First clothes! "Handsome Little Boy"

Outfit change. Newborn sized wrap shirt looks like a huge robe! Notice the rolled up sleeves.

My new bed!

My favorite nurse, Lisa, feeding me my 2nd bottle.

Snoozin'

Mommy's two favorite boys.