Update #5 - March 23, 2003
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Dear Friends,
We've had a great couple of weeks.
We're now able to hold the boys every day. They look better each time we see them and they've now doubled their birth weights: Alexander now weighs 3 lbs 6 ozs and Zachary weighs 3 lbs 3 ozs.
Speaking of which -- while looking at Zachary about a week ago, I called the nurse over and told her that Zachary must be getting sick. He was swelling all over, especially his arms and legs. The nurse looked at him, laughed, and said, "That's just fat, dad! They're supposed to look like that!!" So, here's to fat babies!
Both boys came off the ventilator last weekend. Alexander was first -- he squirmed and squirmed until he finally worked his way out of the tube! The doctors decided not to reinsert the tube just to see if he could handle breathing on his own. He once again exceeded their expectations. This is remarkable given the doctors didn't think he would be ready for another couple of weeks.
Even though the boys are off the ventilator, they're getting breathing help through a device called CPAP. They're breathing on their own; CPAP just provides a constant flow of air through their nose so that their lungs don't collapse. Unlike the ventilator, CPAP doesn't harm their lungs in any way. The doctors hope to wean the boys off CPAP over the next few weeks, at which time they'll be introduced to bottles.
So, here's our path forward- wean off CPAP over the next 3-4 weeks, then spend 3-4 weeks working up to eight feedings a day from the bottle, and then... COME HOME! We're finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel and hope they'll be home by the middle of May. Please pray about this and that they won't have any significant set-backs.
Speaking of bottles, the boys are taking breast milk, but through a stomach tube. As of a few days ago, they've worked their way up to taking 100% of their nutrition from breast milk and no longer need intravenous nutrition.
One more thing for you to please remember in your prayers. The boys still have a small chance of developing eye problems, which could require eye surgery to repair. Everything looks fine right now, but problems could develop as their eyes mature.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We praise God for healing our boys and for giving them life.
Tom and Nicole