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What a roller-coaster!  After I wrote about what a great day Sam was having, things took a funky turn.  First came the call from Laura that for the first time in 15 days Sam was going to change rooms.  Apparently this is totally common in the NICU, but for some reason this got me unsettled.  It felt … [Read more...] about Day 16: October 2

After a rough day yesterday, I woke up with all my fingers crossed that Sam would be having a better day today. I was not sure I could take it emotionally if today was another rough one. Lucky for me, he had a good night, and his kidney function was a bit better in the morning. The doctor felt … [Read more...] about Day 14 (aka week 2!): September 30

One good day, one bad day... So, yesterday was the good day, I guess that makes today the bad day. When I arrived at the hospital, I was surprised to find Sam having his second blood transfusion. His first was on his second day of life. That one didn't bother me. This one, got to me. I think … [Read more...] about Day 13: September 29

Thanks to everyone that reached out with words of support after yesterdays post. All those positive emails and texts really helped to lift my spirits. I know yesterday was my first down day and am happy to say today was much different. The first thing in did when I woke up was to call the NICU … [Read more...] about Day 12: September 28 (updated with photos)

I'll admit it. Today was a rough day for me. Up to now I have held up well, but the combination of heat, exhaustion, and well, a micro-preemie has finally gotten to me. Today started with Sam's echo to see how bad his PDA is. I arrived just as the tech was doing the exam. It's a painless test- … [Read more...] about Day 11: September 27 (updated with photo)

Well, 2 days after threatening us with putting Sam back on the vent... he is still on the SiPAP.  That is one strong, stubborn bugger.  Apparently, he spent the night on just 21% oxygen, which is basically room air.  The number of brady's also went down.  There was one pretty severe cluster … [Read more...] about Day 10: September 26

So Sam made it through the night with only a few brady's!  The nurses and doctors are now rethinking re-intubating him.  Things may change overnight, but for now, Sam stays on the SiPAP machine.  Personally, i think his stubborn streak kicked in.  As anyone who knows me knows, i don't like being … [Read more...] about Day 9: September 25

Overall- I would say today was a good day.  I was finally able to let out some of my emotions with a good cry fest at the therapist office.  Nothing like bawling for an hour to make you feel better! After my cry session I came home to pump- my new pastime.  [TMI Time] Pumping has become an odd … [Read more...] about Day 8: September 24

Happy 1-week birthday to you Sam!  You celebrated by cutting down your brady's from 30 a day to under 20.  Mom would prefer zero, but I will take a decline in brady's. Overall today was eventful for Sam, but not so eventful for us.  Here are the highlights: One of Sam's nurses figured out his … [Read more...] about Day 7 (or one week under our belt!): September 22

What a difference a nurse makes!  After a nice visit in the morning at home from Steph and Lisa, Peter and I finally headed to the hospital around 2 pm.  We were on a mission to hold Sam and to confirm my mom's insistence that Sam had opened his eyes. We got there at a shift change, so the … [Read more...] about Day 6: September 22

This was not Sam's best day.  He suffered a number of bradycardia (or brady) and apnea events today.  These are things we will have to deal with a lot over the next few months, and so far, they are a little scary, but not too scary.  In a preemie, one thing that happens often is the little guys … [Read more...] about Day 5: September 21

So I woke up today with a huge bag of mixed emotions.  I have been cleared for discharge- which is great.  However, it means leaving Sam behind- which sucks.  The entire day I have been flipping between excited and teary eyed.  It seems so improbable to just walk away from the hospital, leaving … [Read more...] about Day 4: September 20 (Melissa goes home)

Well last night was a much better night for mom.  My fever finally broke at about 8 pm on the 18th and I made it thought the night without any fever spikes.  Knowing that this was going to be the day I got to hold Sam, I did have a bit of trouble sleeping, but that was because I was excited.  I went … [Read more...] about Day 3: September 19

Well- last night Sam had another great night, but mommy did not.  I managed to spike a fever up to 103.  They put me back on antibiotics and an IV and took enough blood to keep a vampire feed for a week.  We will keep our fingers crossed that the antibiotics will knock out whatever it is.  In the … [Read more...] about Day 2: September 18