Thursday, July 23

Excited Yet Equally Terrified

I just received some very exciting news from our NP today - the plan for tomorrow morning is to extubate Bryce. Yes, that's right - extubate. And not by mistake, not just for a second but as in let baby Bryce try his hand at breathing without a ventilator.

This step to CPAP is commonly the same dance back and forth as from the oscillatory to conventional ventilator. He may go to CPAP tomorrow and be back on the vent tomorrow night or he might last a week and then have a set back. He may go several weeks but then need the vent for another shunt surgery and have to be weaned off it again.

Hence, we are so excited to see baby Bryce without a tube down his throat but equally terrified that something could go wrong or that it won't last long.

More good news to report too. Bryce is finally getting some more mommy milk today. They are using my colostrum from back on 6/12 to "prime" his gut and see how he responds to the feedings. I hope and pray that he doesn't ever have to truly experience NEC as I'm so exhausted by hearing how horrible it is.

Last but not least, Dr. George himself, Bryce's nuerosurgeon, came by to check on him. He said he looks good and hopes this shunt will last several weeks until we have to make a decicion about what he needs - "or whether he needs anything at all." That's about as good of a rosy outlook as you can ever expect to get from a brain surgeon!

All in all, Bryce continues to amaze us with how proud we are of him. It's funny - most parents want Ivy Leaguers, Doctors or Olympians to be proud of. We just want him to breath well on his own, to look up at us and smile, to giggle a little baby belly laugh when we take him home to meet his four legged siblings.

15 comments :

  1. That's great news! I'll keep amazing Bryce and of course you and Caleb in my prayers and hope that he keeps having these leaps forward toward being able to go home and to meet the rest of the family!

    Mandy

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  2. What great news! I am so excited for you all. That kiddo of yours is something else! Congratulations on the progression. He's in wonderful hands.

    Hugs and Prayers,
    Weslea

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  3. Such wonderful news, I 'm so happy for you all!! Always praying for Y'all!

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  4. This is such amazing news! And I completey understand being equally terrified. I have been there. Our first attempt was not successful, but a few weeks later he was ready and stayed off for good! Maybe Bryce will get it on his first shot! I sure hope so! But try not to be discouraged if he still needs a little help....I will be praying that the little man can breathe for himself (essentially). Its amazing the things we are proud of as preemie moms. BREATHING is one of the biggest!! Good luck!!

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  5. Mr Mojo moving on up!! Very exciting and welcome news...We'll will be seeing you tomorrow no doubt!
    xx G2

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  6. I will keep you'll in my prayers. With both wonderful parents by his side at all times will even make him stronger. Don't worry things will work out. God will be by his side and help him thru everything until its time to go home...

    Melissa

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  7. This is great news! Bryce is obviously much stronger than he was 3 weeks ago. To have had surgery yesterday and looking forward to breathing on his own tomorrow. I'm in awe! What a blessing that he is doing well enough to try. As always, we will be praying. Hang in there mom and dad. We love you guys!

    Love,
    The Dieringers

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  8. Good night sweet Bryce,I hope you get a good nights rest.They have big things planned for you tomorrow.I know that between you and God you will pass the test with flying colors.Kinda like "One giant step for man kind"It will bring joy and awe to lots of folks.Me being your biggest cheerleader.I know you can do this.So I'll go to sleep with hope in my heart and a prayer on my lips for the special little man with the spirit of a fighter.Good night and God bless.I''ll be checking on you first thing in the morning.
    Hus and prayers
    Granny Spriggs

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  9. Yay! What exciting news for you guys and for ALL of us! This is one of those milestones we've been praying for all along. Stay calm and take deep breaths Mom and Dad and especially Baby Bryce! You guys have come a LONG way and we look forward to more great reports very soon!

    Bristelle and Joel

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  10. How wonderful!! I'm so happy that Bryce is going to be able to try out the CPAP. It can be a dance though, back and forth. Our son wasn't nearly as early as yours...only a month. But he did the CPAP/Vent dance twice and then the CPAP/Canula dance several more times. But eventually they get the hang of it. I will be praying for your little man tomorrow that all goes well with the extubation and he just keeps being the little rockstar that impresses all his doctors, NPs and nurses!!

    Lisa

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  11. Reading this post has really brightened my day. It's a restoration in faith for me. It shows us just how great the little and simple things in life truly are. Things that most of us have taken for granted because we've never had to think about them. Bryce's journey from birth to now has not been easy, but clearly he can handle it. He hasn't been dealt fair cards so far, but I think he may just have an ace in the hole that none of us know about. :) I hope tomorrow he makes his big move! All my love!

    Jen

    P.S. Bryce, baby I'll be praying for you. Show those doctors what you're made of sweetheart. I love you so much!

    Jen

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  12. Bryce,

    We have been thinking about you all night, but I am still having trouble writing to you. Maybe it is my computer. We love you and hope that you are doing well this morning. We are always praying.

    Love, Gene, Lolo Andrea Timothy

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  13. Love you all. Way to go Bryce!

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  14. Bryce,No news is good news.I know.My heart is full of hope and my soul is filled with faith that all is going well.Breathe deeply little man.God Bless.
    Love you.
    Granny Spriggs

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