NICU Marathon

So, the doctors, therapists and nurses aren't joking around when they call it the NICU marathon and/or roller coaster. We are reminded that this is indeed a marathon and not a race with still a long way to go. Each and every day brings something new and Steve & I are doing our best to keep up with it all.

This past week, Nathan has had several tests which have helped to bring us to where we are now. His spinal tap revealed a small amount of bacteria in the spinal fluid which signifies meningitis. The good news is that no bacteria grew in the following 36-48 hours of the test, which means the antibiotics got to it and killed it. He will continue his treatment for meningitis with the antibiotics for about 3 weeks.

Along with the infection, Nathan has had some bleeding on his brain which has gotten worse the past few days. Because of this, Nathan will be transferred to Children’s Hospital. There he will undergo a procedure to relieve the pressure on his brain. This should be a relatively quick surgical procedure and will help us get more answers regarding Nathan's infection.

On top of all that, Nathan is also having some seizure activity. That seems to be the least of our worries right now, but he's on additional medicine to help manage them. They think the seizures could be a result of his brain bleed and/or the meningitis. Our hope is that between the meds and surgery, the seizures will be treated effectively.

On a good note, Nathan has made some very nice progress this week. His vitals remain good, he is being weaned from his pain meds, he's at the lowest settings on the ventilator (they are only keeping him intebated for surgery) and they have increased his feedings twice and he's digesting it well:)

We continue to hope for the very best and cannot thank everyone enough for all the continued support and mostly your prayers.

Continue to Wait

We are still waiting on further tests and results for Nathan as he continues his fight to get better. The doctors were unable to get any fluid from the spinal tap on Friday and are repeating the test today. Nathan received another heart ultrasound on Saturday and is scheduled for a head ultrasound today. All of these tests will help the doctors with a definite plan forward. We continue to pray for positive results and good news. Nathan continues to stay stable and is slowly making some progress forward. He was moved yesterday to a private room which will help his recovery time with some peace and quiet - it's amazing how crazy and crowded the NICU can get with babies and families. On average, there are about 65 babies in the NICU at a given time supported with over 200 nurses and numerous doctors and therapists. And then you have all the families and visitors on top of that - it's a pretty busy place.

Nathan's breathing is getting stronger on its own and he's requiring less support from the ventilator. They are weaning him slowly and hope to have him off of it within a couple of days. Each and every minute can bring something new and we are just taking each day one at a time. We appreciate all of the prayers and support. Hopefully, we are back at somewhat of a stable point and can get on some sort of a schedule - whatever that may be. A HUGE thanks to Grandma & Pops and PaPa & Gigi for taking care of Andrew last week!! He is back on his road to recovery too (fighting a sinus infection and cough)!! We are looking forward to a much better week...

Still hanging in there...

Nathan has had a pretty rough last 48 hours, but still manages to hang in there and put up a fight. We are so thankful our little guy is staying so strong and not giving up. We have had our good share of ups and downs and still have some further testing to get through the next several days. Tomorrow Nathan is scheduled to have a spinal tap to see if his infection has spread and what areas it may have affected. Once we receive these results, we will have a more definite plan forward, but for now we are just praying that the antibiotics that Nathan has been receiving are doing the trick. Please continue to pray for our little man and that we get some positive test results.

Long Day...

Nathan was off to a great start until yesterday morning when he came down with a very severe bacterial infection. The past 24 hours have been touch and go, but for now Nathan is somewhat stable and receiving antibiotics to treat the infection. With all of the ups and downs yesterday, Steve and I decided to have Nathan baptized. We have been praying non-stop that Nathan continues to put up a good fight and stays strong. He is considered to be in critical condition for the next 72 hours, but seems to be responding the antibiotics for now. We appreciate all of the continued support and ask for any prayers you can offer because Nathan still has a long road ahead of him and every hour counts.

The Best Big Brother!!

Andrew does not know how much he has helped Steve and I over the course of this past week. Coming home to his big smile seems to make all of our worries and fears a little more bearable. Nathan is sure lucky to have a such great big brother to come home to. Nurses that haven't even met Andrew are asking about him. He has made a lasting impression on so many and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful son.


Andrew about to empty out all his stuffed animals :)


Playing with his trucks.

Nathan's progress continues and he is no longer on the photo therapy. He has a lot of lab work ordered for tomorrow which includes checking his bilirubin level to see if he needs additional photo therapy. He was very content today and met his Aunt Ellen. Mom was able to spend much of the afternoon with Nathan while Andrew played over at Grandma and Pops with some of his cousins. Then, "Aunt" Maria and Andrew's good buddy, Cole came to stay with Andrew during the night. Dad kangaroo'd with Nathan and we helped with another bath. He seems to be more alert and looking all around. Nathan has gained a few more ounces and weighs exactly 3 lbs. We look forward to some good results from his labs tomorrow and hope Nathan cooperates with all the procedures.


Fast asleep.

Nathan snuggling with his Daddy :)

Special Visit

Pops and Grandma met Steve, Andrew and I at the hospital this afternoon to spend some time with Nathan. Nathan nestled right up in their arms and loved the attention. Andrew loved seeing Grandma and Pops and having playmates while Mom & Dad checked in with the nurses on Nathan's status. This evening Steve and I headed back to the hospital while "Aunt" Mary Ann stayed with Andrew. Nathan snuggled with Mommy and received his feeding. Nathan continues to stay strong. He will be taken off the photo therapy tomorrow since his bilirubin levels have decreased. They will check his levels again Tuesday to see if he will need additional therapy or not.


Nathan and Grandma.


Pops and Nathan.

Nathan sound asleep receiving his feeding - 3/4 tsp of breast milk (this equates to about 6 teaspoons a day - can you imagine?)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

We hope everyone had a wonderful day with their loved ones. Steve, Andrew and I were able to celebrate Valentine's Day with Nathan - his very first holiday!! Nathan's progress continues very well and his breathing is getting better every day. The pressure of his cannula has been significantly decreased and Nathan is still going strong. Hopefully, this will continue and Nathan will be off all breathing mechanisms very soon. Nathan also has gained 1.2 ounces and is digesting Mom's breast milk without any trouble. Tonight, Steve and I were able to spend some more time with Nathan while "Aunt" Christy stayed with Andrew. Nathan and I did some more kangaroo care and I was able to give Nathan a bath :) He was such a trooper and was really pretty relaxed through it - definitely a change from what we experienced with Andrew (he hated baths until he was almost 6 mos old!!)


Nathan out with his mouth wide open :)


Nathan enjoying his bath.

All nestled back in his isolette - wish these other babies would quiet down!!

Quality Bonding Time

Thanks to Grandma and Pops, Steve and I were able to spend more time today just holding Nathan :) This afternoon we both were able to hold Nathan in our arms and then tonight, I was able to "kangaroo" with Nathan. This is when Nathan lays on my chest - skin to skin. It was the most amazing feeling in the world. He was so relaxed, arms and legs sprawled out and just sound asleep. Nathan's breathing is also progressing. He is now fully on the nasal cannula, breathing on his own. The cannula is merely supplying pressure to remind Nathan to breathe rather than supplying any oxygen. Our little trooper is hanging in there and continues to put up a good fight!!


Nathan's strong grip on Daddy's finger :)

Nestled with Mommy :)

Back Home

I was discharged from St. John's today and am home with Steve and Andrew :) Before we left the hospital, Steve and I were able to hold our newest son!! Nathan is still doing great and is now receiving oxygen via a CPAP and a nasal cannula - they are rotating these two forms of oxygen every 6 hours and Nathan is holding his own like a champ. He also moved to a new crib today - an isolette where he is fully covered and still receiving his photo therapy to help reduce his bilirubin level. Nathan is still responding well to his feedings and seems to like his new digs :)


Nathan in the isolette sporting his shades while receiving his photo therapy.

Sleeping in Mommy's arms.

Andrew keeping a close eye over his little brother :)


Nestled in Daddy's arms.

Andrew was excited to visit Nathan with us tonight. He was really the hit of the NICU and every nurse made their way outside the window to say hi. They couldn't believe how well behaved he was, but it doesn't take much when double-fisting Nilla Wafers :)

THANKS!!

We cannot begin to thank everyone for all of the thoughts and prayers for our family and especially for Nathan. Steve and I are doing our best to return phone calls and messages, but are having a hard time keeping up with so many :) We will be using our blog to keep everyone up to date with Nathan's progress...here are a couple pictures from Nathan's first 24 hours:


All bundled up :)


Nathan's first crib.


Sound asleep.

So Big :)

Over the past 36 hours, Nathan has made some great progress. He is no longer on the ventilator which was inserted down his throat (as seen in the pics) preventing him from making any sounds at all. They removed it this morning and replaced it with just a breathing tube through his nose. He is doing most of his breathing on his own which is GREAT!! Also, they were able to insert a feeding tube and Nathan started receiving Mom's milk today in addition to the nutrients from his IV. They will slowly introduce breast milk to him and eventually he will be able to feed from a bottle. He is now under a blue heat lamp to help combat jaundice. He's sporting some shades over his eyes and seems very relaxed. He'll most likely be under the light for a couple days. Overall, Nathan seems to be quite the fighter and is progressing with everything very nicely.

Introducing Nathan Richard Vehige!!

The newest Vehige family member decided to greet the world this morning at 4:21am :) Nathan Richard arrived much earlier than expected - about 11 weeks before his actual due date. He weighed in at 3 lbs 4 oz and measured 14 3/4 inches long. He is doing exceptionally well and is in the best hands. We will keep everyone updated with his progress and be sure to post some pics of our newest little man!! Please keep us in your prayers that Nathan's off to a great start to a long, healthy life!!