Now let's catch up!

3 day summary- let’s catch up

During our dellema with triage and delivery, Our parents traveled in from 4 hours North and 13 hours east to support us and their most prized possession, their grandchild.

Since Vanessa experienced pre-eclampsia prior to the C-section she was on a 24 hour post-partem magnesium drip to highly decrease the chances of adverse effects of high blood pressure.  That took a lot out of her, limiting the opportunities for Vanessa to see our little man, Channing.  

Thursday

The most Thankful Thanksgiving on record!

Channing got a Kidney ultrasound and a chest X-ray.  Kidney ultrasounds displayed how large the kidneys were and the chest x-ray showed a pneumothorax.  To follow up, an ultrasound of the kidneys was ordered for 2 days in the future and a chest tube was placed at bedside to treat the pneumothorax.  Being an X-ray tech and currently a computed tomography (CT) technologist, I understand that dangers of a pneumothorax- it can potentially collapse a lung.  Rumors of a nephrectomy followed to no avail, it’s a holiday and it was not SUPER emergent.  Though it is evident that one or both kidneys will have to come out to help with his breathing and give room in his abdomen for future dialysis.  Vanessa’s magnesium drip conclude approximately at 8:00 pm on Thanksgiving night, and as she quickly rebounded, she requested to see Channing.  One floor down we traveled up to see him.  A milestone was created a long duration of skin to skin contact.  OH MY GOODNESS!  What an emotional moment for us.  It become more of a reality check that Channing was our little boy, a gift from an ultimate power above for us to cherish. Wow what a moment!  These are the moments you live for when you start off in the NICU.

Friday

Channing become very “puffy” because of the maintenance fluids they were giving him, his lack of kidney function lead him to this.  His sugar became low as well which led the care to decrease his fluids and increase his sugar—dextrose.  He rebounded dramatically.  After some time he became less puffy and his sugar increased.  A Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) was placed to keep the sugar up and limited fluids going.  A diuretic was given for a hopeful presentation of kidney function, after some hours past, smidge of urine output was seen in his Foley catheter.  Another milestone followed this night, chest to chest with dad!  It was suggested by a respiratory

 Therapist that I see from this floor (8 West) in radiology where I work and the sweetest nurse taking care of Channing.  Stumbling in my thoughts I took care of myself and sat down in the chair patiently waiting for the moment to old MY BABY BOY!  What and amazing experience, I was able to hold him for over an hour! Under the unfortunate circumstance he is in these are the moments we live for as parents. I will never forget that moment.

Today

Vanessa has nearly recovered from the magnesium drip and has been hungry as a bear.  Not an insult, this is what happens when a wonderful woman gives birth, feeds him (as much as we can), and spends a lot of energy ordering her husband around.  I take the orders in stride as she has gone through so much the last 48 hours, I know I need to be there to be her rock.  Back to Chan the Man… an ultrasound was performed this morning and it showed that due to the genetic disease, the kidneys are growing at a rapid rate and a possible nephrectomy was bound to occur in the near future.  Vanessa, a new mom, was able to hold him for skin to skin tonight, another amazing experience.  Another milestone of during this time was his first poop, it was a doosey.  Such a wonderful experience for a mother and father to experience together. J

I knew I needed my own bed tonight, so I rode home to with my mom to the house.  We chatted flippantly and seriously about the past few challenging days—some tears were shed.  Arriving home our wonderful dog Shandy Mae greeted me with the sloppiest welcoming!  She was soo happy to see me!  I felt like I was home, and I was.  A receiving blanket from Channing’s bassinet was given to her to sniff and to love on.  Curious at first, shortly after her curiosity faded her tail began to wag in happiness and a peck, a kiss) from her was given to me.  I have the video to prove it J.

My replacement for the night.  Does it look like me?

We are thankful for our parents RUSHING to the occasion!  The staff taking care of Vanessa and Channing respectively as well as you family and friends near and far supporting us as you read this blog.

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