Today was the Due Date

So today was baby's original due date..... 12/28. But he's actually 15 weeks old as of yesterday. Today was still a very special day for all of us though. We finally got to hold him!!!! It was such an awesome feeling, I can't describe it. He was so happy and peaceful. I can't wait to go back tomorrow!!!!

And here is another cute picture from yesterday..... all eyes!!!

Baby's 1st Christmas

We celebrated Wesley's first Christmas today. I thought it was a very special time. He was a little fussy and still not really stable on the new ventilator, so we did not get to dress him up like we wanted for pictures, but we will do that here over the next few days. There have not been many changes over the last few days. The only major change made was to increase the ventilator pressure just a little to help him become more stable. I'll leave you with some pictures of my little Santa Baby.

Moving Foward

Wesley was moved to the conventional ventilator last night. He isn't completely stable on it right now, but he is working on it. He was behaving himself when we visited tonight though. Below is a picture of Wesley with his Gramma and Grampa Byork when they visited on Friday night. I'm super excited about Thursday and baby's first Christmas. It's really odd to think that he's 14 weeks old, but he is still a week away from his due date. He is still as cute as can be!!!!

I love my paci!!!

Special Treatment

Over the weekend we talked to one of the doctors about Wesley's status. He told us everything from best case to worst case scenario. Best case would be that a miracle just happens and he comes home just fine, which that would be God's doings, not the doctors. I prefer not to talk about or even think about worst case, that's a parent's worst nightmare. But as of right now, we are looking somewhere in the middle and moving forward with his treatments to get him home one day. The doctors called in a pulmonologist to assist them with Wesley's lungs. The doctor told us that he has some of the sickest lungs they have seen in a while. He has been remaining stable, but not getting better. So the pulmonologist came on Tuesday and evaluated Wesley's situation. He made 3 changes. Wesley is now on a different steroid, a different diuretic, and they changed his feeding tube so that it bypasses his stomach and goes straight to the intestines. The goal is to get the fluid as far away from the lungs as possible. He has been retaining fluid for a little while now so that is why the diuretic and the feeding tube were changed. The steroid is just a stronger steroid to help his lungs. The goal is to get him off of the oscillating ventilator and back onto a conventional ventilator so that they can start breathing treatments. They cannot do that while he is still on the oscillator. The other major factor they are concerned with is the tube down his throat. Although it is not an issue right now, we were told at about 44 weeks gestation (about 6 weeks from now), it becomes a long term issue if he is still intubated. If he is stable enough on a conventional ventilator, then the main option will be to insert a trach. So as of today, the main focus is to get him back on a conventional ventilator to start breathing treatments. Then we will focus on remaining stable on the ventilator. Then if necessary, the trach option will be discussed. And as always, this treatment plan may change at any time depending on how Wesley reacts to it. The past few days he has been doing much better. He had a really rough weekend, but starting doing better on Monday and has continued to progress, just very slowly. I know most are still saying prayers for Wesley, so all I ask is for continued prayers. There can never be too many prayers said for him!!!

Happy 3 Month!!!

Wesley is 3 months old today!!! Yay for baby!!! He weighs 5lbs 14.5 oz, and is 16 in long. He did come down with another infection within the last few days. He is on antibiotics for it and should be over it soon. They have also started back up some steriods to help his lungs. He is still requiring a significant amount of support from the ventilator, so please continue to pray. Ideally, the doctors would like him off the ventilator within the next 6 weeks, and so would we. If he is not, there may be some different options to pursue at that time (which we have not fully discussed with the doctors yet). We just hope that we do not get to that point. He is still as cute as can be, and John thinks his eyes are starting to turn green.... we'll see!!!!

Sleepy Hat Boy

These are some pictures from yesterday, I just thought they were too cute not to post. Nothing really new with Wesley, he's remaining stable. But as always, no news is good news.

One happy baby

Some baby was happy to see Mommy!!! I got some pictures of Wesley smiling.... too cute!!! He is now 5 lbs 3 oz, almost 12 weeks old. The doctors wanted him to get rest this week and remain stable with his ventilator settings. So far so good! They will begin trying to wean him of the ventilator the next 7 to 8 weeks. Ideally he will be completely off the ventilators by the end of January, possibly sooner if his lungs will allow it. Overall, he's had a good week and getting cuter everyday!!! Below are some pictures from last night.... enjoy!!!

Thanksgiving pictures

Here are the pictures from Thanksgiving. Our little guy is now 11 weeks old and weighing in at 5 lbs. His weight is a little up and down because he's retaining a lot of fluid, but he's staying close to the same weight, no major drops.

New pictures (serious this time)

So here are the pictures from last Sunday, posted and ready for you to see!!!

New pictures

I have some pictures from Sunday, 11/23 that I'm trying to post, but the internet connection at the hospital is not allowing me to do that right now. But for now, here's the latest update: I actually got to hold him for a brief moment on Sunday. It wasn't much, but it was something. Unfortunately, we also had some set backs Sunday night. We got a call around midnight to tell us that Wesley had to go back on the oscillating ventilator. He's been on it the remainder of the week. He's doing better than he was a few days ago, but still has not moved back to the conventional ventilator. The doctors also said he had a problem with a low thyroid, so they put him on some medicine to boost his metabolism. Hopefully this will help with some of his fluid retention. He did lose a few ounces after they started him on the medicines and went from 4 lbs 15 oz to 4 lbs 13 oz. I'll check up on his length on Saturday since they only measure once a week. They have also started another course of antibiotics just to ensure there is no infection. I'll be seeing Wesley again in just a few hours to celebrate his first Thanksgiving. I will post the pictures I have soon and should have more from Thanksgiving.

10 weeks!!!!

Wesley is 10 weeks old today!!! It's really hard to believe that he's been with us that long. Nothing really new or different this week. He's doing well on the conventional ventilator, still a little too unstable to hold, but that day will come soon enough. He loves to be swaddled, it puts him right to sleep. Hopefully he will be that easy when he comes home!!!!

9 weeks!!!

Wesley is 9 weeks old now and had a pretty exciting week. They removed the broviac line early in the week because of the infection. They put an IV in his foot to administer the antibiotics, but there aren't any other fluids he is receiving regularly, so it does not affect him to lose that central line. The infection appears to be clearing up, but we have not been given the all clear sign yet. The antibiotic treatment runs for at least 10 days, even if the infection clears up prior to that. The big news of the week is that they moved him off the oscillating ventilator to a conventional ventilator! We still have not been able to hold him, but hopefully he will be stable enough on the new ventilator to hold him soon. He is now 3 lbs 13 oz. We will be celebrating his first Thanksgiving here in a few short weeks. I know what I'm thankful for!!!!

8 weeks old

Wesley appears to have come down with another infection. The doctor said she believes he has a staph infection around his broviac line (or central IV line). They have not received results back from the lab, but the area is slightly red and swollen. Unlike his previous infections, his lungs and heart have maintained stable through this. So although this is another setback, as of right now, it appears this is just a minor setback. Of course they have already started him on antibiotics to treat any infection. Aside from that, all remains the same. He is now 8 weeks old and getting cuter every day!!!

New pictures

Nothing new today... just posting some pictures!!!

Halloween 2008

Last night was Wesley's first Halloween. Of course no trick-or-treating for little guy, but we did get some fun pictures. As far as an update on Wesley, he's doing great. His lungs are maturing, and his breathing is improving. He's putting on weight and loving his increased feedings. Nothing really new or different, but it's good to know he's doing well. So, here are the Halloween pictures, I have a few more on a different camera and will have those posted ASAP.

Starting to look like a baby

Wesley is finally putting on some baby fat. It's kind of cute!!! Nothing really new to tell. He's had a few good days in a row, almost for a full week now. He's looking better and quickly gaining weight. He now weighs 2 lbs 15 oz. I took some pictures tonight. The lighting was really low, and I'm no photographer. Sorry they are a little blurry.

Looking Positive

The last few days have not been good days but great days for Wesley! I noticed today that he was starting to breathe over the oscillating ventilator, which is a good sign that he will be moved to the regular ventilator soon. He seems to be back to where he was before he got pneumonia. I had a long discussion with the respiratory therapist who answered a lot of questions concerning his lungs and his progression. He told me that they actually discussed moving him to the regular ventilator last night, but decided to give Wesley just a few more good days before any major changes. He anticipates (although cannot promise) that Wesley will be moved to the regular ventilator by the end of the week. Now, of course, this is ultimately the doctor's decision. Even if he just stays where he is and they do not change anything this week, at least things are looking positive again, and we are not in that dark area like the past several weeks. Wesley has put on some good weight the past few days and weighed in at 2 lbs 8 oz. He's now in big boy diapers (well, not really, but they are the next size up). He is so precious, and hopefully I'll be able to hold him by this time next week. Please keep praying for him, God is not finished with him yet!!!

Finally..... a few good days again

Wesley has had a rough few weeks with his lungs. Things were starting to look a little better, then he started out last weekend on a bad day, and that continued through the beginning of this week, only getting worse. He started to stable out on Wednesday and has had a few good days now. He did have the hiccups today when I saw him, but it was really cute. It appears that it will still be a while before they move him off the oscillating ventilator, so therefore, it will still be a while before we get to hold him. He is just a few grams shy of 2 lb 3 oz, and is now 13 inches long. He's still as cute as can be!!!! He will be celebrating his first Halloween next Friday, but no trick-or-treating for him this year.... that will have to wait!!!

Nothing new

Nothing has really changed in the past few days. The doctors are still working with Wesley on his lungs. We are looking at long term or permanent lung issues as his lungs have already taken damage from the ventilator. Although he was doing very well up until this past weekend, we are now taking progression very slow with him to protect his lungs. We are still praying for the best! Please keep the prayers coming!!! He was sleeping so peaceful and calm last night, so I snapped a few pictures. Sorry about the reflection from the isolette, but I didn't want to disturb him by opening it.

Hoping for a better tomorrow....

Wesley's doctor called this morning. He said that Wesley's lungs are just in bad shape, and they have started steroid treatments to attempt to get him breathing more on his own. He was doing really well with his breathing last week, and they had hoped to move him from the oscillating ventilator to a regular ventilator this week. Obviously that will not happen now. I just hope and pray that he will get over this setback and move towards full recovery.

4 weeks!!!

Wesley is now 4 weeks old!!! He's up to 1 lb 15 oz. He's almost crossed that 2 lb mark!!! He has come down with another infection, this time in his lungs. The nurse said they were waiting on lab results to determine more specifics, but the doctor referred to the infection as pneumonia. They have already started him on antibiotics and will continue to monitor his progress. He's been a fighter through everything else that has happened, so I know he will fight his way through this as well.

On a fun note, we get to celebrate 1 month tomorrow 10/13/08!!! It definitely does not seem like he has been here a whole month. But I'm thankful for the time as it goes by, because that mean's he just that much closer to coming home.

Moving Forward

Wesley is doing great! He's gaining weight, breathing more on his own, and his feedings have increased. The doctors said he should be moving off the ventilator soon (possibly next week!!!), so we will be able to finally hold him once he is off the ventilator. That will be an exciting day!!! We will be celebrating his 1 month birthday on Monday, 10/13. He's come a long way in the last month!!!!

3 weeks and going strong!!!!

Wesley is now 3 weeks old!!! He weighed in tonight at 1 lb 10 oz, up from 1 lb 9.2 oz yesterday. He has grown from 11 inches to 12.5 inches. Yay for baby!!! He has recovered well from the heart surgery on Tuesday. He's still on some pain medications from the surgery, but that is to be expected. The doctors performed a spinal tap yesterday to ensure that his recent infection did not affect his brain. The results came back normal, and all of his blood tests since 09/25 have come back normal, so they were able to pull him off the antibiotics for the infection. So all around, he had an exhausting week, but today was a great day. Hopefully we are through the down times and looking forward to good times. Wesley still has 12 weeks before he would be considered "full term", but we've made it through 3 weeks, so hopefully the next 12 weeks will be over before we realize it. I never thought I would want time with my child to fly by, but the day by day highs and lows have been emotionally draining on everyone involved. I'm just so ready for the day when I get to hold Wesley, and our concerns can be focused on diaper changes and feedings, not heart surgery and other invasive procedures. However, I'm thankful for every day that God gives us with him.... he really is a blessing.

Heart Surgery

Our little boy had to have surgery last night. One of the many medical obstacles that we were warned we may face was this surgery. There is a valve in the heart which is supposed to close upon birth. With the premature babies, this valve commonly does not close on its own (just another complication since the baby is so severely underdeveloped). This is referred to as Patent Ductus Arteriosus or PDA. If you want to know more about the condition, I found this website that gives some good insight into PDA. http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/PrematureBabies/Treatment-of-Patent-Ductus-Arteriosus-PDA.aspx?articleID=7859&categoryID=PI-nh3-02b
Between 7:30 and 8:00 last night, they performed the surgery on Wesley to close this valve. The surgery took about 30 minutes, and the doctors came back with good news. Everything with the surgery went well, but we were told to be prepared for some minor setbacks the next few days as he heals and adjusts. The doctors had to put him back on blood pressure medications today for low blood pressure, he is still receiving a high amount of oxygen, and his blood sugars are high. They said this is all fairly common due to his level of stress after surgery. We are just praying for a full recovery and continued progress. He truly is our little miracle.

2 weeks old!!!!

We celebrated 2 weeks with Wesley last night at 9:15. Overall he's doing well. It seems that he is over the infection the doctors discovered last week. We're hoping for more good reports. He's starting to gain some weight, he's up to 1 lb 5.5 oz, up 1 oz from Friday's weight. He's looking really good, and all the doctors and nurses talk about how feisty he is. We haven't taken any pictures the last few visits because he has had some extra IVs in place. Although they are perfectly normally, it always looks worse than it actually is. He is actually starting to recognize voices. He now opens his eyes whenever I come to visit. The nurse said that he should be able to see shadows and shapes, but nothing in full detail right now. He is so precious, and I can't wait until he is big and healthy enough to take home. He still has a long way to go, so please keep the prayers coming.

Mommy Duties

Wesley is doing well. He was last weighed at 1 lb 3.8 oz on Sunday 09/21. So, although he lost some initial weight (which the doctors said this was normal with any baby), he is maintaining now, and we'll continue to monitor his weight gain. The doctors did find an infection, but they are still waiting to see what was the root cause of the infection. They pulled more blood samples yesterday and the infection has not grown, so it appears (and we're very hopeful) that this was just a minor setback, but he is currently receiving antibiotics. I was able to perform my first mommy duties last night of taking his temperature and changing his diaper. Oh the little things that excite me. I've added some pictures, they are a little blury, but you can at least see what's happening. Once again, thanks for all the prayers and please keep them coming.

Erin

Just the beginning.....

Our son, Wesley James Byork was born Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 9:15pm. He weighed 1 lb 7 oz, 11 in long. Due to pregnancy induced hypertension, the doctors decided it was in our best interest to deliver through c-section after a few days of monitoring in the hospital. Wesley was born only 24 weeks into pregnancy, so he still has a long way to go before he's strong enough to come home. He will be 1 week old today and has been doing great. His doctors and nurses have been great, and we know he is receiving the best care possible. I want to thank everyone for their kind words of encouragement and most importantly, your prayers. I was released from the hospital yesterday, but Wesley will remain in the NICU for the rest of the year. Please continue to pray for him as your prayers have brought him this far.

Erin

Here are some pictures of our miracle from this past week: