4 pounds 2 ounces that is!
I spoke with the Neonatologist last night and he said Lyon should be coming home in the next 3 weeks!!!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Follow-Up Eye Exam
3lbs 13oz
Breathing well, still on High-flow machine.
Today Lyon had another eye exam. it appears his eyes have become a bit worse, going from a grade 2 to a grade 3. They are going to have another exam next week Wednesday to evaluate whether to do laser eye surgery. I will keep everyone posted. Other than that, he seems to be doing well and moving quickly towards 4 pounds.
Aloha,
Marie
Breathing well, still on High-flow machine.
Today Lyon had another eye exam. it appears his eyes have become a bit worse, going from a grade 2 to a grade 3. They are going to have another exam next week Wednesday to evaluate whether to do laser eye surgery. I will keep everyone posted. Other than that, he seems to be doing well and moving quickly towards 4 pounds.
Aloha,
Marie
Monday, September 24, 2007
2 Months Old!
Hi Everyone!
Today Lyon is 2 months old. He weighed in tonight at 3lbs 13oz and 15.5 inches long. He is doing very well with his breathing. On the flip side, he has developed grade 2 ROP in both eyes. ROP is an eye disease common in preemies, with micro-preemies like Lyon having a 90% chance of developing ROP. They are going to be monitoring his eyes every week or two to see what happens. It could go away on its own or get worse. If you are interested in learning more about this, Google "Retinopathy of Prematurity". Please pray for his eyes that he might be healed!
Thank you!
Marie & Ariki
Today Lyon is 2 months old. He weighed in tonight at 3lbs 13oz and 15.5 inches long. He is doing very well with his breathing. On the flip side, he has developed grade 2 ROP in both eyes. ROP is an eye disease common in preemies, with micro-preemies like Lyon having a 90% chance of developing ROP. They are going to be monitoring his eyes every week or two to see what happens. It could go away on its own or get worse. If you are interested in learning more about this, Google "Retinopathy of Prematurity". Please pray for his eyes that he might be healed!
Thank you!
Marie & Ariki
Friday, September 21, 2007
An Email From Dr. Rossi
This is an email from Dr. Rossi-The head doctor who delivered Lyon via emergency C-section. She is now back in Japan since she was just in Waimea to cover for Dr. Chatkupt:
Hello Marie & Ariki,
I am so sorry to respond so belatedly, as my email thought you were spam (until I checked the trashed messages)! Not the good kind of Hawaiian spam either.
I cannot say enough about how wonderful it was to see how your family was doing, from the smallest (Lyon) and you, to the biggest (Ariki), and all the wonderful grandparents and other family members in between. I think about your family often, as Lyon and your whole family made an enormous impression on me---this is why I and others practice medicine. I was grateful to be part of it, as so many others will be too (as I can see from the pictures of the NICU). Lyon just needed a better way to get out, but he certainly is figuring things out on his own now---tripling his weight and thriving! Marie, how are you doing? Are you getting back into the ocean? It is impressive to see how much you have learned about Lyon's complicated medical environment from your blog comments. You and Ariki are seasoned capable parents already. I asked the nurses at KVMH how you were doing 2 weeks ago, and they said you had so much energy, you were thinking about getting a job in Honolulu. That is a good sign for your healing, except Lyon seems to be trying to get home to Kauai. And sooner than anyone could expect---how truly remarkable your son seems to be and becoming everyday. He is a credit to his genes and his family circle. I will check into your blogspot often and look forward to pictures of him going home soon!
Please let me know if I can do anything for you too, and if you have a mailing address.
Best wishes always,
Vy Rossi
--
Vy Bui Rossi, MD
Hello Marie & Ariki,
I am so sorry to respond so belatedly, as my email thought you were spam (until I checked the trashed messages)! Not the good kind of Hawaiian spam either.
I cannot say enough about how wonderful it was to see how your family was doing, from the smallest (Lyon) and you, to the biggest (Ariki), and all the wonderful grandparents and other family members in between. I think about your family often, as Lyon and your whole family made an enormous impression on me---this is why I and others practice medicine. I was grateful to be part of it, as so many others will be too (as I can see from the pictures of the NICU). Lyon just needed a better way to get out, but he certainly is figuring things out on his own now---tripling his weight and thriving! Marie, how are you doing? Are you getting back into the ocean? It is impressive to see how much you have learned about Lyon's complicated medical environment from your blog comments. You and Ariki are seasoned capable parents already. I asked the nurses at KVMH how you were doing 2 weeks ago, and they said you had so much energy, you were thinking about getting a job in Honolulu. That is a good sign for your healing, except Lyon seems to be trying to get home to Kauai. And sooner than anyone could expect---how truly remarkable your son seems to be and becoming everyday. He is a credit to his genes and his family circle. I will check into your blogspot often and look forward to pictures of him going home soon!
Please let me know if I can do anything for you too, and if you have a mailing address.
Best wishes always,
Vy Rossi
--
Vy Bui Rossi, MD
Los Abuelos
Some new photos from the last trip Abuelita Carmen y Grandpa Tom took to visit Lyon on their 30th wedding anniversary.
This has got to be my favorite picture ever!
(Blue steel anyone?)
(I'm having way too much fun with these pictures)
This has got to be my favorite picture ever!
(Blue steel anyone?)
(I'm having way too much fun with these pictures)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
By September 19, '07
What a blessing for me to be able to hold Lyon for the first time on this trip to Honolulu. He is making such great progress, as of today, September 19, '07 with the nurse reporting that he is now at 3 lbs 10.6 oz. ( 1 kg 664 gr. ). This is such great news. He's getting closer to coming home to Kauai.......the moment we are all waiting for.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Moving On & Special Moment
9-17-07
Today Lyon graduated from the "Critical Care" nursery to the Intermediate nursery in the NICU. This is huge because it means he is well on his way out the door.
Today was a memorable day because Grandpa Tom and Abuelita (translated: good-looking grandma) Carmen celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. To top that off, Abuelita held her first grandchild for the first time ever today. Wow, what a moment to celebrate!
Today Lyon graduated from the "Critical Care" nursery to the Intermediate nursery in the NICU. This is huge because it means he is well on his way out the door.
Today was a memorable day because Grandpa Tom and Abuelita (translated: good-looking grandma) Carmen celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. To top that off, Abuelita held her first grandchild for the first time ever today. Wow, what a moment to celebrate!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Yet Another Big Step!
Today Lyon made 3bls 8oz. He is being moved from his isolette to a flat-bed crib. This means that he meeting one of his requirements to go home, which is maintaining his body temperature outside the isolette. So now he gets to sleep in the little crib with his little beanie hat, onesy outfit, socks, blanket and a little heat-lamp over him.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Another Big Step!
Today Lyon graduated from the C-Pap breathing machine to High-Flow Nasal Canula (sorry about spelling). This means he doesn't have to wear that snorkel-gear looking piece that you see in all the pictures and instead he has two small prongs that just go into his nostrils to give him a little breathing support. This also means that after he graduates from this he will be breathing on his own. Finally...Respitory Freedom!!
A dear friend of mine from New Zealand sent me a card today with this saying I wanted to share:
"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitaki, engari he toa takitini." Basically, this translates to "my strength is not of a single warrior but that of many." It relates to any situation where the combined efforts of many are needed to complete a project, and in this case, for all the people who have helped us and been praying for Lyon. Thank you!
A dear friend of mine from New Zealand sent me a card today with this saying I wanted to share:
"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitaki, engari he toa takitini." Basically, this translates to "my strength is not of a single warrior but that of many." It relates to any situation where the combined efforts of many are needed to complete a project, and in this case, for all the people who have helped us and been praying for Lyon. Thank you!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Good News!
Aloha & Kia Orana Friends and Family,
Here are the long-awaited new pictures from the last couple weeks with Lyon. He is slowly looking more like a little baby rather than a micro-preemie!
We had a meeting with the Neonatologist yesterday and he said that Lyon is making "phenomenal" progress, his growth and weight gain are meeting expectations. Also, The best news of the day was that we should be able to take Lyon home in 3-5 weeks!! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!!! His eyes are also looking better-there are no signs of ROP (an eye condition common/prone to preemies). As of today, Lyon is 3lbs 5 ounces and strong as ever. He has very big hands and long fingers for his size. You can guess where he got those. We are very excited about the progress he is making and promise to keep more pictures coming.
Kia kaha little son...
Ariki & Marie
Here are the long-awaited new pictures from the last couple weeks with Lyon. He is slowly looking more like a little baby rather than a micro-preemie!
We had a meeting with the Neonatologist yesterday and he said that Lyon is making "phenomenal" progress, his growth and weight gain are meeting expectations. Also, The best news of the day was that we should be able to take Lyon home in 3-5 weeks!! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!!! His eyes are also looking better-there are no signs of ROP (an eye condition common/prone to preemies). As of today, Lyon is 3lbs 5 ounces and strong as ever. He has very big hands and long fingers for his size. You can guess where he got those. We are very excited about the progress he is making and promise to keep more pictures coming.
Kia kaha little son...
Ariki & Marie
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
Eye Exam Results
Lyon is a grade 2. Basically that means nothing- he is normal so far for a preemie of his size and age. They are going to keep monitoring his eyes every 2 weeks to make sure no unwanted changes occur.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Active Baby!
Lyon has an eye exam tomorrow to check for ROP. Basically, for extremely premature babies like Lyon, their Retina can detach from their eye leaving them with eyesight problems or blind. Since he is almost 2 months (1.5) they are going to do some exams on him to check. I will let you know the results.
Its crazy how active Lyon is for a little baby. He already has such a personality of will and determination. I have already received many swats from his little hands in attempts to push my hands away when I change his diaper or take his temperature under his arm. Pretty big task when your hands are only 2inches wide. He also shoved the nurses's hand away when she went to give him the pacifier yesterday. The nurses say that he is a lot more active then most of the other preemies in the NICU unit. Somehow he manages to get himself out of his little bed in the Isolette (incubator) and the nurses often find him lying beside his bed and put him back. I think this all might be a deadly mix- the fire of a Latina mother and the strength of a Maori father! I wonder if they have isolettes for teenagers...
Its crazy how active Lyon is for a little baby. He already has such a personality of will and determination. I have already received many swats from his little hands in attempts to push my hands away when I change his diaper or take his temperature under his arm. Pretty big task when your hands are only 2inches wide. He also shoved the nurses's hand away when she went to give him the pacifier yesterday. The nurses say that he is a lot more active then most of the other preemies in the NICU unit. Somehow he manages to get himself out of his little bed in the Isolette (incubator) and the nurses often find him lying beside his bed and put him back. I think this all might be a deadly mix- the fire of a Latina mother and the strength of a Maori father! I wonder if they have isolettes for teenagers...
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Another Milestone!!
9-5-07
Lyon finally made the 3lb mark! Actually, 3lbs 1oz. Time to celebrate another milestone!
Lyon finally made the 3lb mark! Actually, 3lbs 1oz. Time to celebrate another milestone!
Lyon's Update
Aloha Family and Friends,
As of today 9-3-07 Lyon is doing very well. He is 2lbs 15oz. He has been sitting on the fence between gaining that last ounce to make the big 3lb celebration for a couple days now and we just can't wait! Usually he gains an ounce a day but he seems to be holding off for this last ounce, at least for the last couple days.
His breathing is also improving dramatically every day. He is now on what they call a C-pap breathing machine which is a step down from a Si-pap breathing machine (that one is a step down from a ventilator). On the C-pap breathing machine there are 3 levels (I think I got this right): 5,4,3. He is now on level 3 which is great because if he does well on this level, then he can be moved next to nasal prongs that just provide oxygen flow, but he has to do the breathing on his own. It also means that he can get his snorkel gear off finally. As you have seen in his pictures he has his snorkel gear, or Snuffle-ufigus breathing gear :) Its a good thing he might get this off soon because he seems to be fond of holding his tube above his head while he sleeps as if its part of his body.
Lots of energy in this little boy! He doesn't like it when I take his temperature under his armpit and has taken to trying to swat my hand away with his little hands!
In order for Lyon to come home, he must meet certain criteria:
1. Maintain own body temperature
2. Breathe completely on his own
3. Be able to eat without the assistance of a tube to his stomach
We are so thankful to all our family and friends who have been here for us emotionally, physically, financially, in prayer!
Ariki & Marie
As of today 9-3-07 Lyon is doing very well. He is 2lbs 15oz. He has been sitting on the fence between gaining that last ounce to make the big 3lb celebration for a couple days now and we just can't wait! Usually he gains an ounce a day but he seems to be holding off for this last ounce, at least for the last couple days.
His breathing is also improving dramatically every day. He is now on what they call a C-pap breathing machine which is a step down from a Si-pap breathing machine (that one is a step down from a ventilator). On the C-pap breathing machine there are 3 levels (I think I got this right): 5,4,3. He is now on level 3 which is great because if he does well on this level, then he can be moved next to nasal prongs that just provide oxygen flow, but he has to do the breathing on his own. It also means that he can get his snorkel gear off finally. As you have seen in his pictures he has his snorkel gear, or Snuffle-ufigus breathing gear :) Its a good thing he might get this off soon because he seems to be fond of holding his tube above his head while he sleeps as if its part of his body.
Lots of energy in this little boy! He doesn't like it when I take his temperature under his armpit and has taken to trying to swat my hand away with his little hands!
In order for Lyon to come home, he must meet certain criteria:
1. Maintain own body temperature
2. Breathe completely on his own
3. Be able to eat without the assistance of a tube to his stomach
We are so thankful to all our family and friends who have been here for us emotionally, physically, financially, in prayer!
Ariki & Marie
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