First of all I want to write a note to our friends in Japan. We are so thankful to all of you for all of your prayers and support these past 8 months (I can't believe it was 8 months ago when I was hopitalized!). We (Isaac, Jong and I and our parents) are truly thankful for everything you have done for us. However, I have to ask for your further understanding. Isaac's doctors, other preemie parents as well as the books that we have read have really stressed how important it is for Isaac not to get sick this upcoming winter/flu season. It is also very important that none of us in this household get sick either. As many of you know, Isaac got sick with a common cold earlier in September and he was barely able to breathe just because of that. If Isaac even gets a cold, he will most probably have to go back to the hospital. I don't even want to imagine what it will be like if he catches something more serious than a cold. This is because he still has chronic lung disease, has very weak lungs and a much weaker immune system than full term babies having been born so prematurely. Therefore, we will need to continue to quarantine Isaac throughout this winter. We will unfortunately not be able to take Isaac out (and very unfortunately, including church) except for doctor's appointments. We also generally do not plan to invite friends to our place. We are really hoping and praying for a sick-free winter and want to play it safer rather than sorry. We hope you do not think that we are rude or ungrateful by not "sharing" Isaac with all of you who prayed so much for him in person until hopefully when spring comes (hopefully by Isaac's 1 year birthday on April 4). Jong and I will also have to be very careful with our own health so please understand if we shy away a little bit if you happen to be sick when we meet. (Although Jong will probably forget so I have to ask you to try to remember to stand farther away from Jong if you are sick and you are meeting with him ^_^ - I imagine Jong will meet with a lot more people than me during the upcoming months. ) I hope you can understand our situation.
Now some quick updates on Isaac. The hospital is now trying to get Isaac ready for coming home. If I understood the nurse correctly tonight (since it was in Japanese), they are now not limiting how much Isaac eats and just letting him when he wants and how much he wants (I am not sure but they might still be limiting the total daily intake to 500 ml). When I arrived at 7pm tonight, the nurse told me that he just finished 80 ml at 5 pm. So I didn't feed him then but the nurse let me nurse Isaac just for a little while at 7:30 pm. They also want me to bring Isaac's own bottle tomorrow so that they can let Isaac start trying it out. Jong brought back some Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Bottles so I am going to bring one. I hope the nurses can figure out how it works with my poor explanation!
The most exciting thing is I only have 3 more visit to the hospital before Isaac's discharge date! I don't plan on going on Friday night as I need to make sure I finish everything I need to at the office before I take my leave from work so that only leaves Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Jong will go on Friday though - he only has 2 visits left since he is in the US right now - Thurs and Friday!)
I also want to mention that I talked to Dr. Kawase yesterday (Rachel's doctor who took over Isaac's primary care since Dr. Ishii left Toho a week ago). I asked about Isaac's remaining problems and basically its just his CLD and perhaps longer term developmental problems which we just can't tell right now. (He also still has a tiny PFO in his heart but Dr. Ishii (who was still there when he told us the results of his heart sonogram) wasn't that concerned. It is truly amazing what a miracle Isaac has been! I also asked Dr. Kawase how long he thinks Isaac will be on oxygen (remember Dr. Ishii told us that it could be for a year or two). Dr. Kawase said if he was in charge, and Isaac does well this winter, he would take Isaac off of oxygen after the winter is over. So please pray that Isaac will not only stay healthy but actually grow a lot stronger and that his lungs will heal a lot this winter so that he can be tube and wire free by spring!!!
Here are a couple of cute close ups of Isaac from the last couple of days.
God bless,Sonia
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7 comments:
I am sooooo excited for you!!!! The whole home bound stuff is a drag...we did 18 months of that with Ty and it was no fun but WELL WORTH IT! Ty's Dr. still laughs at how we put lawn chairs outside Ty's bedroom window and made family visit Ty from our front yard peeking into his nursery:). Hey...whatever it takes. Also, someone probably mentioned this to you but the risk of even minor colds with a micro is not just the lung issue...also apnea. When Ty got his first cold (which was very minor) at 6 months of age, our biggest problem wasn't his lungs...he just kept having apnea episodes and we ended up in the children's hospital for a week. Hopefully little Isaac won't get sick and if he does, will not have apnea trouble like Ty but thought you should be aware of this too watch for it in case he does. And those pictures are PRECIOUS!!!!
Hi Sonia and Jong,
Oh my gosh! Isaac is finally going to be home!!!! You are right to take every precaution, especially with the coming winter. I'm sure everyone will understand why you have to delay showing off Isaac for a while. In the mean time, please let us continue to enjoy watching him grow on your blog. He is getting cuter and cuter all the time.
By the way, could you please email me your current address? I think I only have your old address.
sonia
i am so excited for all of you!
i cant' wait to see the photos of isaac at home with mama and daddy!!!
i know you'll be busy but i will NEED those photos:):)
Definatly best to keep him in! My 4 were all "near term preemies" and had none of the complications or even an NICU stay. But I did the same thing with all of them and the few people I did allow to hold them (immediate family and a very close friend) had to wash their hands first! Never feel selfish or rude for protecting your child.
Good luck this weekend!!!! Sleep now!!!! LOL!
Congratulations!!! You must be feeling so excited, and have so many more emotions right now. My 28 week old preemie born 7-10-05 came home 9-9-05 with chronic lung disease, and I was (and still am)in your shoes with the whole sick thing. People probably are going to tell you that you are being overprotective, but those people don't understand. Stick to your insticts and if people think you are being rude, then they are the rude ones for not thinking about your child's best interest.
My son stayed on oxygen until last February, and then right away got a cold and had to go back on oxygen for another two weeks, so I know the whole oxygen thing isn't fun but don't be in a rush to take him off of it. Kids get sick because cold germs enter into the nose and mouth, and if the oxygen tube is in the way of his nose, it is less likely he will get sick while wearing oxygen.
Also, here I sit in amazement that I got thru the first year and it seems like it was many years ago. My son now weighs 20lbs, and he is crawling, cruising the furniture, trying to stand on his own and getting into everything like other normal kids, but I am thankful everyday and blessed that he is able to drive me crazy!!!
Good luck, take care, and your family is always in my prayers.
~Mother, Crystal and toddler, Austyn, Nevada, USA.
Congrats on Isaac coming home soon! My preemie was born at 32 weeks but even still, the concern was there for him getting sick. Has his dr mentioned anything about RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) shots? They help prevent RSV and are recommended (at least in the US) for premature infants that were born under 5.5 lbs.
It's something to check into. More info on it can be found here:
http://www.rsvprotection.com/
Sincerely,
Clarissa and Gabriel
Woo Hoo ... so close now!! We kept our wee boy in isolation for the first year (HUGE sign on the front door) and for his second and third Winter we went back into isolation. During his first Winter he caught bronchiolitis and had 5 apneas in 1 day (I was sick with worry ... thank goodness for apnea monitors). It is a lonely time, especially as you are desperate to share your son with the world .... all in good time!
Anyway, people will understand that you are keeping your precious wee miracle safe. ... and people are SOOO lucky to be able to follow your journey and see such delious pictures of Isaac on your BLOG which you update so wonderfully!!
I can't wait to hear how Saturday goes!!!
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