Newest update is at the bottom

8/5/99 John continues to amaze us with his strength and stamina. He is contending with a new infection from his surgery (which commonly happens) and problems with his breathing (also common). But he is beating both of these battles and seems to just gather strength from everyone around him. He is on less pain medication and so is more alert. He is learning to distinguish the sounds around him. When he hears our voice, he relaxes and tries to look at us. When he hears a plastic bag opening accompanied by a nurse's voice, he tenses up because he knows what is coming.

8/7/99 Some good news for John's one month birthday. They have started to feed him 1cc of special formula every 3 hours. He will be off the antibiotics by tomorrow and off all pain meds by Monday. He is winning the battle over his infection and his lungs are clearing up. They are hoping to wean him off the ventilator by next week. He will be going back into his incubator so he can get deeper sleep. He is now more aware of his surroundings and noises. It is quieter in an incubator. He looks really good.

7/8/99 John is doing better today. Spent some time gazing into his beautiful eyes. He is still having some trouble with his breathing, but is winning the infection battle. Today was the first time he was able to bring up his blood platelet himself without a transfusion :). He definitely likes sleeping on his stomach and likes being in his isolette (it is quieter in there).

8/9/99 John is now getting continual feedings and seems to be tolerating it well. He will be off all pain meds today and is making progress with his lungs. He had his eyes checked today and all looks well. They just need to mature (along with the rest of him).

8/10/99 The decision was made to do John's second surgery this Friday. He is doing very well and the doctors feel he will do just fine with this surgery. The doctor will be reconnecting two parts of his intestines so they can grow and so he will have more nutrient absorption. This will help him to gain weight and grow. He will then have one colostomy bag instead of two. He will have this bag for about 4-6 months. He will have his third surgery later after he comes home. He is still tolerating his feedings (which now includes some of mom's milk).

8/14/99 John had his second surgery yesterday and came through it with flying colors! The surgeon reattached two parts of his intestines and will wait to reattach the third part in about 6 months (after he comes home). Before his surgery, we visited with him for awhile. He was the most awake we had seen him. He was a little mad because they stopped feeding him the night before for the surgery and he had a wet diaper (which he does not like). After we changed his diaper, talked to him, and gave him a pacifier to suck on, he calmed down and fell asleep. The surgery took about 2 hours. After the surgery, we visited some more with him. While mom was taking his temperature (under his arm), the nurse noticed his arm was turning purple. Mom was pressing the thermometer against his artery and was cutting off the circulation to his arm. After removing the thermometer and massaging his arm, in a few seconds, it was pink again. This just proves that no matter how strong we think he is, he is also just as fragile. Thanks for your prayers.

8/16/99 John is getting stronger and stronger everyday. He is healing well from his surgery and is needing less pain medicine (a good sign for recovery). He was put on phenobarbitol because his bilirubin was up just a bit (2.6, it should be 0). This is associated with jaundice. The pheno should take care of it before it gets worse. He seems to have the nurses wrapped around his little finger. They all love him and are in awe of his strength.

8/18/99 John decided he didn't want the ventilator any more so he ripped it out. (really pissed off the nurses) They had decided to try and take him off of it tomorrow anyway. So they left it out. So far he is doing fine. He is off of all drugs too.