Aulay, Day 20; Mr. B, Home, Sweet Home

Mother and child.

Mr. B was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon, which made him much happier than it did me. I expected doctors to figure out what is wrong and fix his problem(s). Instead, Mr. B was sent home with no solutions. I'm not sure I can explain my frustration with the situation. There's something wrong with Mr. B and no one can tell us what it is or how I can help him. Maybe my frustration is actually fear? Or helplessness?

My place is with Mr. B right now. I haven't seen my little prince since Thursday. Doctors know what his problems are and they are working to get him stronger. Aulay is in good hands. I stare at new photos that are posted by family and smile at the images of his sweet little face.

Today I'm creating a cleaner house. Just before I came home from Santa Fe, Mr. B had the living and dining rooms painted. That means that artwork is sitting on the floor unhung and other items are displaced. When Mr. B brought my stuff back from the casita in Santa Fe, the car was unloaded and most items remain where he dropped them. It's time I did some cleaning up and de-cluttering.

Aulay, Day 19; Mr. B, Day 2

First an update on Mr. B. There was test after test after test on Friday. He was hoping to go home, but I knew that wasn't going to happen. Sure enough, there was one last test to determine if there is blockage in his arteries that wasn't done. We haven't heard any results on all the other tests that were done on Friday, so I think doctors haven't found anything. His blood pressure is now high and his heart rate is now only low, not extremely low. He is frustrated and grumpy. He isn't going to make his normal Saturday morning breakfast with his buddy Keith. And there is a big art fair at the convention center this weekend that he wants to attend, but I don't see that happening. After two days in the hospital, I don't think he'll have the strength to walk around the convention center.

Aulay's temperature was better on Friday and
Nick was able to hold him. Yes, that's Nick's
hairy chest in the photo, not Dr. Mc's.

I didn't make it to the hospital to see Aulay on Friday, so I really don't have a report on him. I feel guilty about not visiting with the little prince, but felt I should stay with Mr. B. I know Aulay's other grandparents visited with him plus Dr. Mc and Nick were going late afternoon, having dinner and then going back to the hospital. I just keep hearing Aulay is fine and I should take care of Mr. B. Dr. Mc said the nurse who came into NICU on Thursday to tell me about Byron asked last night how he is doing.

Today I'm creating … probably nothing. I'm hoping that we'll learn whatever is causing Mr. B's health issues before he is discharged from the hospital. I hope to go see Aulay in the afternoon. And since I wasn't able to sleep last night, I'm also hoping there will be time for an afternoon nap.

Aulay, Day 18; Mr. B, Day 1

Mr. B came home from work and we had dinner before heading to the hospital to see the little prince. He was again alert when we got to NICU. We were laughing because he was laying there so casually with his ankles crossed. Of course his arms were stretched out. I think he was celebrating that three IVs were removed from his left arm. He receives oxygen through the tube in this nose plus breast milk and other nutrients through the tube in his mouth that goes down to his stomach. His temperature was a little low last night so he had that big silly hat on his head. It looks like he is trying to pull it off with his right hand, but not so fast little prince!

When I was talking to Aulay, Mr. B said he felt light headed and was going to the waiting room to sit down. About five minutes later a nurse came to get me because Mr. B had collapsed in the hallway. I went running to find him kneeling on the floor with two doctors and several nurses around him. They put him in a wheelchair and took him to the emergency room. His blood pressure was low and his heart rate was extremely low. After four hours in the emergency room at Woman's Hospital of Texas (can't wait until the insurance company gets that invoice), he was transferred by ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital. He was supposed to go directly to a room, but instead we spent another three hours in St. Joe's emergency room. He finally got to his room around 4 a.m. At that time, the nurses on the floor and doctor on duty came in with questions we had already answered at least four times. In simple terms, his low heart rate is keeping blood and oxygen from getting to his brain, which made him light headed. The doctor said they would run tests today on Mr. B's chest and brain to see if there are blockages. Let me say this: Aulay is a much better patient than Mr. B!

Today I'm creating a full day at the hospitals. We got to sleep (me in a chair) around 5 a.m. Nurses and technicians started coming in at 5:45 a.m. and they didn't stop until 9 a.m. I left around 10:30 a.m. to go home and change clothes (there's nothing worse than sleeping in linen). I'm going to pack a few things for Mr. B before going to see Aulay and then heading back to Mr. B at St. Joe's.

Aulay, Day 17

I'm obsessed with this guy!

I was trying something different today. I wanted to post a video of Aulay, but it didn't work. Blogger doesn't allow "mp4" to be uploaded. Still, you can see a close-up photo of the handsome little man.

We heard that he might have a blood transfusion today, but that test and decision has been postponed until Monday. Many preemies lack the number of red blood cells (RBCs) necessary to carry adequate oxygen to their bodies. This complication (anemia), is easily diagnosed through lab tests. Premature infants, especially those who weigh less than 1,000 grams (2.2 pounds) at birth, often need red blood cell transfusions.

Today I'm creating an evening visit to see the little man with Mr. B. I need to start calling people for lunch. If I'm at home by myself I spend too much time reading about preemies. This little man is a fighter and is overcoming anything that is thrown at him. It doesn't due me or the situation any good to isolate myself from friends and support. 

Aulay, Day 16

Dr. Mc looks so content holding her little man.

My family is so appreciative of the well wishes, blessings and prayers we are receiving for the little man. I'm already beginning to plan a "sip-and-see" for Aulay after he is home and safe in our arms. Mr. B and I will invite people to come by our house, see the little man in all his glory, and enjoy a sip of something delicious.

I love the photos that Dr. Mc and Nick take of each other holding Aulay. The one I'm posting today of my daughter holding her son makes me smile and cry every time I look at it. How time has flown since January 3, 1980, when I delivered the little blonde cutie named Kendall. How sweet it is to see her cradling her little man with his tiny little fingers resting on her chest. She and Nick are such loving parents to the tiny little man who is getting stronger every day. I'm happy to write that, except for one instance, we continue to receive wonderful reports about his health and progress.

Today I'm creating lunch with Dr. Mc, Nick and Kendall's godmother Melissa (a.k.a. Mitzie). It should be fun and relaxing. I didn't sleep last night because Mr. B wasn't feeling well. His blood pressure was so high that he went to the emergency room. Doctors couldn't find anything wrong with him, but I still stayed awake all night listening to him breathe.

Aulay, Day 15

Just a little view of the prince with his eyes open last night.

Kendall had a great visit with her little man yesterday. Her stepmom, Sherry, took her around 4 p.m. to see him and he was full of life! They took several videos of him with his eyes open and yawning. His arms and legs were stretched out and he was just so awake. I could tell the change in Kendall's mood whenever she sees him.

Mr. B and I went to the hospital around 8 p.m. last night for a visit with the little man. By that time he was still adorable, of course, but tuckered out. He was in a deep sleep and barely opened his eyes. We've learned that in a premature baby, the part of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) that controls breathing is not yet mature enough to allow nonstop breathing. This causes large bursts of breath followed by periods of shallow breathing or stopped breathing. The apnea goes away on its own as the infant matures, but no doubt about it — it's frightening while it's happening.

Today I'm creating the distribution of a media release. First I took Dr. Mc to see the little man. He was having his afternoon feeding so we just sat and watched him sleep most of the time. Then I took Kendall to the drugstore before taking her home so she could have a nap and some down time. Rose is doing the same.

Aulay, Day 14: The first two weeks

He looks good, then the monitors start beeping and we are
pulled back into reality that he is still so tiny and fragile.

It's crazy to think it was only two weeks ago tonight that Dr. Mc was admitted to the hospital. Eighteen hours later, and three months ahead of schedule, she and Nick were parents. We have all been taking photos of the little man and I can really see his growth and progress during the past two weeks. At 2 lbs. 2 oz. and 13.4" long, he is so handsome and full of personality. In the picture I took of him yesterday with his hand on the back of his head, he looked as if he was smoothing his hair for a photo. Mr. B captioned the pic-of-the-day, "Wait, how's my hair?" And look at his little knee sticking up! It's so fun to watch this little man's progress!

On Sunday morning I talked to a friend who is an OB/GYN about Dr. Mc. He told me that the NICU will make sure Aulay is well cared for, and my job is to ensure that Kendall doesn't do too much. Although she seems to be doing well, her blood pressure could elevate if she is too active. This news disturbed me because she was walking around washing clothes last week and helping me in the kitchen. Although she looks good, I need to keep her quiet and resting.

Today I'm creating a finished blanket for Aulay. These simple projects seem like the perfect time to use my serger. This is the machine that I had to have before I went to Santa Fe in July yet I still haven't taken out of the box. Arg!