When we came home in the afternoon, the nurses in the NICU had given us a package for our daughter. Inside there was a little doll with a diaper and a coloring book with crayons. Loryn has loved to practice putting the diaper on her new doll and has been coloring up a storm. While Lisa and I went out to visit with Ethan, Eric and Loryn set up the swing in the living room and practiced how we would swing Ethan when he gets home. Loryn thinks he should swing "higher" and Eric has been trying to convince her that Ethan needs to be pushed softly and slowly. Curious to see how this all plays out. Loryn also may have a cold, so we are watching her very closely to see if we need to take her to the doctor. She is a bit clingy right now, and we think it has to do with the fact that she knows something is wrong. She continues to ask us where her brother is, and we keep reminding her that he is in the hospital because he is "sick". We continue to show her pictures and video and she loves to see him.
At 8pm, we were able to go back to visit Ethan in the NICU. Eric stayed home with Loryn and Lisa and I went to go and see Ethan. I had called around 5pm to check on him and was told that he was still doing very well but they did have to move his iv from his hand (again). Poor kid is having his iv moved every 2 hours and was running out of places to put it. They warned me that it may be placed in his scalp. So I did prepare myself going in for that. Yup, that is where they stuck it. And it appeared, they had to try a few times. Poor baby now has pieces of his hair missing (looking like he is going bald) and he has bruises all over. As Eric put it, "he looks like he got into a fight". I was very worried about him, considering that he isn't on pain medication anymore, but the nurse said he was fine and his levels have stayed stable. They lowered the amount of oxygen support they were giving him just a little bit and even let me help take care of him. I was able to again take his temperature and change his diaper and also help to clean off and moisten his lips. (I am having trouble uploading the video-if you want to see it, please send me an email)
He definitely is a feisty little kid. He kept trying to take off his heart rate monitor, so for an hour, I kept moving his hands and putting the stickers back on his chest. Ugh, I really wish he could understand that hearing beeps going off, is not a comforting sound.
I called to check up on how he was doing at about 2:30am and again at 6:15am (Monday April 4th). They took out the breathing tube, and he was put back on the c-pap machine. Ethan is breathing entirely on his own, but with a little help from the c-pap machine. His oxygen levels are at 29 and they are administering the pressure at +6. He is resting comfortably. After his chest x-ray and echo cardiogram this morning, they will decide what to do next. He had to have his iv moved again, I think it was moved to his arm this time.
We brought a few blankets for him, so that he could have a brightened up little area that was less hospital and a bit more like home. We also left a disposable camera so if there are any more firsts, we won't have to continue to miss them.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Ethan's Update - Mid Day, Day 3
Hey Everyone...
After a rough night last night, today has been a nice change of pace. We met with both Jayme and Ethan's doctors this morning, and they each had good news for us. Jayme's doctor said she was doing wonderfully, and signed her release papers. Ethan's doctor told us that last night's episode was to be expected, and although scary, ultimately helped him out. Ethan is stronger today than he was yesterday, and thanks to the intubation tube, he is more well rested today too. They have seen additional progress in his chest x-ray from this morning. And according to the doctor he is doing great.
By mid morning, Ethan was doing so well, that they took him off the ventilator, and put him back on the c-pap (albeit intrapulmonary this time). He is back to breathing all on his own now, and the c-pap is only adding 2% more oxygen than what is found in the air that we all breathe. They have also decided to take him off the morphine that he has been on since Friday, so now he is opening up his eyes to try and take in the world around him. Jayme and I each had the chance to touch him a little more today, and Jayme even had the opportunity to change his diaper, take his temperature, and to wash his face off. It was really comforting for both of us to get to see her start being mommy. My brother and his family also came by the hospital this morning, and spent some time with us which was very nice.
At 1:30p, Jayme was released from the hospital. Although us leaving without him was very difficult on both of us, having the interaction with him this morning was really helpful in softening the blow. We went out to lunch with my brother, his wife, and our nephew after leaving the hospital, and now we have gotten back home to spend some time with Loryn. Later this evening, Jayme and my mother will be heading back to the hospital to see Ethan, and I will stay home with Loryn. The next few days are looming to be difficult ones for us, but the promise that Ethan is getting better, and will be home soon is very soothing to us right now.
Again, we thank you all for your continued support, and as we know more, we will continue to share.
After a rough night last night, today has been a nice change of pace. We met with both Jayme and Ethan's doctors this morning, and they each had good news for us. Jayme's doctor said she was doing wonderfully, and signed her release papers. Ethan's doctor told us that last night's episode was to be expected, and although scary, ultimately helped him out. Ethan is stronger today than he was yesterday, and thanks to the intubation tube, he is more well rested today too. They have seen additional progress in his chest x-ray from this morning. And according to the doctor he is doing great.
By mid morning, Ethan was doing so well, that they took him off the ventilator, and put him back on the c-pap (albeit intrapulmonary this time). He is back to breathing all on his own now, and the c-pap is only adding 2% more oxygen than what is found in the air that we all breathe. They have also decided to take him off the morphine that he has been on since Friday, so now he is opening up his eyes to try and take in the world around him. Jayme and I each had the chance to touch him a little more today, and Jayme even had the opportunity to change his diaper, take his temperature, and to wash his face off. It was really comforting for both of us to get to see her start being mommy. My brother and his family also came by the hospital this morning, and spent some time with us which was very nice.
At 1:30p, Jayme was released from the hospital. Although us leaving without him was very difficult on both of us, having the interaction with him this morning was really helpful in softening the blow. We went out to lunch with my brother, his wife, and our nephew after leaving the hospital, and now we have gotten back home to spend some time with Loryn. Later this evening, Jayme and my mother will be heading back to the hospital to see Ethan, and I will stay home with Loryn. The next few days are looming to be difficult ones for us, but the promise that Ethan is getting better, and will be home soon is very soothing to us right now.
Again, we thank you all for your continued support, and as we know more, we will continue to share.
Ethan's Update - Early Morning, Day 3
Well they said this journey was going to be like a "rollercoaster" and the last 20 hours have been just that for us. Yesterday for the most part was a really good day for Ethan. After the doctors confirmed the diagnosis of RDS and Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) with the morning's echocardiogram, they felt more confident in their treatment plan. He was on the C-PAP machine, and he was getting stronger and stronger all day long. His assisted oxygen level dropped from an avg of 45% to 31% which means he was doing a lot more breathing on his own, and his oxygen circulation was pretty good. He had good color, and was resting comfortably.
He was doing so well, that at around 5pm, they let me touch him for the very first time. On the day he was born, when he came out, the nurses had him, and were cleaning him up. I took a few pictures, but did not have the chance to hold or touch him. Then they gave the baby to Jayme to hold for a few minutes, and immediately after that they noticed the breathing troubles, and Ethan was taken by the nurses, and all I was allowed to do was follow along as they rushed him from check-up to check-up and then to the NICU where he was placed in an incubator. Yesterday, they allowed Jayme and I to reach into the incubator and place a hand on his head, and the other on his feet. We were not allowed to rub him, or move our hands in any way, but at least we were able to make actual physical contact. Things seems to be moving in the right direction.
Then at 7ish yesterday evening, things started to change. First his IV in his hand started to have problems as the injection site started to swell. This resulted in them having to move the IV to the other hand. Then, his extremities started to have circulation issues, so they had to remove a tube in his belly to treat that problem, but that meant they had to up the feeding volume in his hand. This later proved to be an issue, so they had to move the IV site, yet again into his foot. Then things relaxed until about 3:30 am. Around that time Ethan started to fatigue. All of his hard work over the last few days, trying to breathe, and fighting for air, and just getting accustomed to being here in the "outside world" wore him out. As a result the muscles in his chest just tired out too much and his breathing became very labored. With him fighting for each breath, even with the c-pap on and turned all the way up, the doctor made the decision that it was time to intubate. This means removing the c-pap, and instead inserting a tube directly into his lungs through his mouth. This tube gets connected to a ventilator, and this allows for him to have to "do less" to breathe.
After they did that, his breathing started coming much easier, and he was able to relax and re-saturate his body with air. They took blood cultures and they found that through fighting so much to breathe, Ethan used up all of the Surfactant that his lungs had produced over the last day or so. Surfactant is the substance in the lungs that allow for the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs to maintain their shape and elasticity. Because the surfactant is essential for Ethan to continue to develop, they decided to administer his first dose of synthetic surfactant. Their hope was that this first dose would stop his decline, and then depending on how he reacts to the dose, possibly administer some additional doses to help him improve.
At 6:30 this morning they gave him his first dose of the surfactant, and he took it very well. His chest immediately stopped straining, and his O2 saturation rose back into the high 90% range, which is exactly where he belongs. He did so well with it, that they were again ale to reduce the amount of oxygen the ventilator was supplying, dropping it from 45% down to 38%. He is now resting peacefully, and it appears he is recovering his strength.
As far as long term prognosis, the doctor assures us nothing has changed. This little downturn may ultimately result in a slightly longer stay in the hospital, but other than that, they still expect that when he does come home, he will be a completely happy, healthy baby.
It has been another emotionally exhausting night for Jayme and I. Jayme has finally fallen asleep, which is an absolute must as she still needs to focus on getting her own self back to full strength. For me, I am just emotionally spent right now, trying to be strong for Jayme, Ethan and Loryn, and I am again beyond the point of being able to sleep. I guess sitting here writing this all down is kind of my own "therapy" if you will.
The plan is for them to release Jayme from the hospital later this morning, and that likely means another difficult emotional step as we have to leave the hospital without our son. He will however continue to receive the excellent care that he needs to get better and that to me is the most important part. Over the next week, Jayme will be spending a lot of time here at the hospital visiting with Ethan, while my mother stays up here with Loryn. On Monday, I will return to work, so that I can retain the vacation days I need to take off and help Jayme whenever Ethan is better and ready to come home.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. and we will keep the updates coming as we learn more.
Eric, Jayme, and Loryn Steinbach
He was doing so well, that at around 5pm, they let me touch him for the very first time. On the day he was born, when he came out, the nurses had him, and were cleaning him up. I took a few pictures, but did not have the chance to hold or touch him. Then they gave the baby to Jayme to hold for a few minutes, and immediately after that they noticed the breathing troubles, and Ethan was taken by the nurses, and all I was allowed to do was follow along as they rushed him from check-up to check-up and then to the NICU where he was placed in an incubator. Yesterday, they allowed Jayme and I to reach into the incubator and place a hand on his head, and the other on his feet. We were not allowed to rub him, or move our hands in any way, but at least we were able to make actual physical contact. Things seems to be moving in the right direction.
Then at 7ish yesterday evening, things started to change. First his IV in his hand started to have problems as the injection site started to swell. This resulted in them having to move the IV to the other hand. Then, his extremities started to have circulation issues, so they had to remove a tube in his belly to treat that problem, but that meant they had to up the feeding volume in his hand. This later proved to be an issue, so they had to move the IV site, yet again into his foot. Then things relaxed until about 3:30 am. Around that time Ethan started to fatigue. All of his hard work over the last few days, trying to breathe, and fighting for air, and just getting accustomed to being here in the "outside world" wore him out. As a result the muscles in his chest just tired out too much and his breathing became very labored. With him fighting for each breath, even with the c-pap on and turned all the way up, the doctor made the decision that it was time to intubate. This means removing the c-pap, and instead inserting a tube directly into his lungs through his mouth. This tube gets connected to a ventilator, and this allows for him to have to "do less" to breathe.
After they did that, his breathing started coming much easier, and he was able to relax and re-saturate his body with air. They took blood cultures and they found that through fighting so much to breathe, Ethan used up all of the Surfactant that his lungs had produced over the last day or so. Surfactant is the substance in the lungs that allow for the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs to maintain their shape and elasticity. Because the surfactant is essential for Ethan to continue to develop, they decided to administer his first dose of synthetic surfactant. Their hope was that this first dose would stop his decline, and then depending on how he reacts to the dose, possibly administer some additional doses to help him improve.
At 6:30 this morning they gave him his first dose of the surfactant, and he took it very well. His chest immediately stopped straining, and his O2 saturation rose back into the high 90% range, which is exactly where he belongs. He did so well with it, that they were again ale to reduce the amount of oxygen the ventilator was supplying, dropping it from 45% down to 38%. He is now resting peacefully, and it appears he is recovering his strength.
As far as long term prognosis, the doctor assures us nothing has changed. This little downturn may ultimately result in a slightly longer stay in the hospital, but other than that, they still expect that when he does come home, he will be a completely happy, healthy baby.
It has been another emotionally exhausting night for Jayme and I. Jayme has finally fallen asleep, which is an absolute must as she still needs to focus on getting her own self back to full strength. For me, I am just emotionally spent right now, trying to be strong for Jayme, Ethan and Loryn, and I am again beyond the point of being able to sleep. I guess sitting here writing this all down is kind of my own "therapy" if you will.
The plan is for them to release Jayme from the hospital later this morning, and that likely means another difficult emotional step as we have to leave the hospital without our son. He will however continue to receive the excellent care that he needs to get better and that to me is the most important part. Over the next week, Jayme will be spending a lot of time here at the hospital visiting with Ethan, while my mother stays up here with Loryn. On Monday, I will return to work, so that I can retain the vacation days I need to take off and help Jayme whenever Ethan is better and ready to come home.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. and we will keep the updates coming as we learn more.
Eric, Jayme, and Loryn Steinbach
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Ethan Update #2
Hello all...
Jayme, Loryn and I wanted to fill everyone in on what we learned about our newest addition. Last night Ethan was kept on a C-PAP machine while he slept, so that there was a continuous flow of oxygen being supplied to him. Over all he did pretty well, only having three "episodes" where his breathing suffered. This morning they did another chest x-ray, and his lungs do look a little bit improved, although they said it could be from the oxygen he was receiving. In addition, it seems that the blood cultures they took are going to be coming back negative, which means he is not fighting any infections, which is good. As of this morning, the doctor said that he is even more confident that what we are dealing with is RDS and a minor case of PPHN which is high blood pressure in the lungs which is also known as pulmonary hypertension. They still have to do an echocardiogram this afternoon to confirm the PPHN. *** They did the update and Ethan does have PPHN. He is also slightly jaundice. They will be monitoring his bilirubin levels.***
What this means is that the current course of treatment (C-PAP to assist with breathing and simple time to allow the lungs to finish developing) seems to be the right course of treatment. The doctor told us that recovery time is highly variable, but we are looking at a minimum of 4 more days, but more likely 9-13 more days before we will be able to bring Ethan home.
Jayme on the other hand is recovering wonderfully. She is a bit anxious as a result of worrying for our son, and as a result is not yet sleeping well, but the docs are going to try and help her with some meds that should help her relax and get some rest.
Loryn is enjoying her time with her Grandma, but is also anxious to meet her brother. She cryed a little yesterday when Grandman took her home from the hospital, and has been very vocal today about spending going to the hospitalto see Mommy, Daddy, and E-Fin as she calls him.
For those wanting to visit today, we are all in a better frame of mind after the doctors reassurances and some sleep, so all are welcome to come visit. Obviously trips to the NICU to see Ethan are unlikely, however, Jayme, Loryn and I would love the company. Please just call either Jayme or I before you come by so we can ensure everyone has places to sit when you come on over.
Thank you all again for you words of encouragement and support. We are very luck to have family and friends like you all in our lives.
Jayme, Loryn and I wanted to fill everyone in on what we learned about our newest addition. Last night Ethan was kept on a C-PAP machine while he slept, so that there was a continuous flow of oxygen being supplied to him. Over all he did pretty well, only having three "episodes" where his breathing suffered. This morning they did another chest x-ray, and his lungs do look a little bit improved, although they said it could be from the oxygen he was receiving. In addition, it seems that the blood cultures they took are going to be coming back negative, which means he is not fighting any infections, which is good. As of this morning, the doctor said that he is even more confident that what we are dealing with is RDS and a minor case of PPHN which is high blood pressure in the lungs which is also known as pulmonary hypertension. They still have to do an echocardiogram this afternoon to confirm the PPHN. *** They did the update and Ethan does have PPHN. He is also slightly jaundice. They will be monitoring his bilirubin levels.***
What this means is that the current course of treatment (C-PAP to assist with breathing and simple time to allow the lungs to finish developing) seems to be the right course of treatment. The doctor told us that recovery time is highly variable, but we are looking at a minimum of 4 more days, but more likely 9-13 more days before we will be able to bring Ethan home.
Jayme on the other hand is recovering wonderfully. She is a bit anxious as a result of worrying for our son, and as a result is not yet sleeping well, but the docs are going to try and help her with some meds that should help her relax and get some rest.
Loryn is enjoying her time with her Grandma, but is also anxious to meet her brother. She cryed a little yesterday when Grandman took her home from the hospital, and has been very vocal today about spending going to the hospitalto see Mommy, Daddy, and E-Fin as she calls him.
For those wanting to visit today, we are all in a better frame of mind after the doctors reassurances and some sleep, so all are welcome to come visit. Obviously trips to the NICU to see Ethan are unlikely, however, Jayme, Loryn and I would love the company. Please just call either Jayme or I before you come by so we can ensure everyone has places to sit when you come on over.
Thank you all again for you words of encouragement and support. We are very luck to have family and friends like you all in our lives.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Ethan Scott
After 13 hours in labor (9 of which were considered active labor at the hospital) and about 10-15 minutes of pushing, our little boy arrived into the world at 11:15am on Friday April 1, 2011. His weight was 6 pounds 11 ounces and he was 19 3/4 inches long.
Ethan was born 3 weeks early and his lungs are under developed for being 37 weeks. He is currently in the NICU and is on a c-pap machine for the apnea and iv fluids and oxygen for the RDS (respiratory distress syndrome). Due to the fact that when he gets upset he stops breathing, we are not allowed to touch him yet. We were originally told he could be in the hospital between 3-5 days or as much as 2 weeks. After speaking to Ethan's doctor in the NICU, Ethan has been put on antibiotics to fight a possible infection, he is on morphine to take the edge off, and he will be in the hospital between 10-14 days.
Ethan was born 3 weeks early and his lungs are under developed for being 37 weeks. He is currently in the NICU and is on a c-pap machine for the apnea and iv fluids and oxygen for the RDS (respiratory distress syndrome). Due to the fact that when he gets upset he stops breathing, we are not allowed to touch him yet. We were originally told he could be in the hospital between 3-5 days or as much as 2 weeks. After speaking to Ethan's doctor in the NICU, Ethan has been put on antibiotics to fight a possible infection, he is on morphine to take the edge off, and he will be in the hospital between 10-14 days.
Email Eric sent out this afternoon
Hey all...
First, thank you all for the many good wishes on the arrival of Ethan. I want to fill everyone in as to what is going on because I am not sure that i am going to be able to call everyone individually.
Last night Jayme started having contractions around 8pm. She called her Dr, and they told us to measure them, and call back if they got stronger or closer together. By midnight they were getting worse, so we called again, and they told us to come to the hospital. At 2am Jayme was slightly dilated, so they told us to walk around the halls for a bit, to see what happened over the next 2 hours. By 4am, Jayme was much more dilated, and they admitted us to Labor and Delivery. hings progressed quickly from there, and at 11:14 this morning, Ethan was born.
Unfortunately, him being only 37 weeks along, his lungs are not yet fully developed, and he has a condition known as RDS (Respiratory Distress Syndrome). When he is calm he is fine, but when he starts to cry he stops breathing. He has been admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit here at the hospital for the next few days. They have him on a breathing machine, and they are hoping that this will exercise his lungs and aid in their continued development. In addition they may inject him with surfactant, which will also help with his continued development.
At this point it looks as if he is going to be in the NICU for at least five days or so, but possibly more. This means when they release Jayme on Sunday, we will be heading home without our son. Many of you have called or emailed asking when you can visit. We appreciate the concern, but for tonight at least, Jayme and I want to spend time together and with Loryn. For those of you who want to come visit, feel free to come on by anytime after 9am tomorrow. Again, we appreciate your concern, but we are both a bit scared right now, and we feel like some time together is what we need.
As things change, I will keep you all informed. Thanks again, for all the thoughts, prayers, and encouragements.
Eric, Jayme, and Loryn Steinbach
First, thank you all for the many good wishes on the arrival of Ethan. I want to fill everyone in as to what is going on because I am not sure that i am going to be able to call everyone individually.
Last night Jayme started having contractions around 8pm. She called her Dr, and they told us to measure them, and call back if they got stronger or closer together. By midnight they were getting worse, so we called again, and they told us to come to the hospital. At 2am Jayme was slightly dilated, so they told us to walk around the halls for a bit, to see what happened over the next 2 hours. By 4am, Jayme was much more dilated, and they admitted us to Labor and Delivery. hings progressed quickly from there, and at 11:14 this morning, Ethan was born.
Unfortunately, him being only 37 weeks along, his lungs are not yet fully developed, and he has a condition known as RDS (Respiratory Distress Syndrome). When he is calm he is fine, but when he starts to cry he stops breathing. He has been admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit here at the hospital for the next few days. They have him on a breathing machine, and they are hoping that this will exercise his lungs and aid in their continued development. In addition they may inject him with surfactant, which will also help with his continued development.
At this point it looks as if he is going to be in the NICU for at least five days or so, but possibly more. This means when they release Jayme on Sunday, we will be heading home without our son. Many of you have called or emailed asking when you can visit. We appreciate the concern, but for tonight at least, Jayme and I want to spend time together and with Loryn. For those of you who want to come visit, feel free to come on by anytime after 9am tomorrow. Again, we appreciate your concern, but we are both a bit scared right now, and we feel like some time together is what we need.
As things change, I will keep you all informed. Thanks again, for all the thoughts, prayers, and encouragements.
Eric, Jayme, and Loryn Steinbach
Monday, March 28, 2011
37 weeks
Well, I am almost at 37 weeks and definitely ready for this baby to get here. (24 days left til due date)
Not too much to report after the appointment this morning. I have been given the approval of my OB to start trying all the natural ways to induce labor. I am now 50% effaced, but not dilated at all. Measuring on time and hopefully by next week this little guy will have decided to "drop".
Maybe with a little encouragement, this little guy will want to make an appearance for his daddy's birthday.
Not too much to report after the appointment this morning. I have been given the approval of my OB to start trying all the natural ways to induce labor. I am now 50% effaced, but not dilated at all. Measuring on time and hopefully by next week this little guy will have decided to "drop".
Maybe with a little encouragement, this little guy will want to make an appearance for his daddy's birthday.
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