Update #6 - April 29, 2003
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Dear Friends,
April was a great month for us! We're finally able to really hold and interact with our babies, and therefore are spending as much time at the hospital as we can. We also took some time to rearrange our house and make room for a nursery. We're getting ready for some VIP's to finally come home!
Alex is up to FIVE bottles a day, and may increase to SIX bottles as soon as Wednesday. He now weighs 6 lbs 2 oz. And the best sign yet: the Discharge Nurse reviewed his chart today. We're getting very close! My prediction is that he'll come home on Mother's Day... less than two weeks away!
Zachary started his first bottle today, and he devoured it. He weighs almost five pounds. Zachary's now big enough for the surgery to finally repair his intestines, but the surgery isn't urgent and can be postponed as long as he's gaining weight. The longer we wait, the better. My prediction is that he'll come home on Father's Day.
Both boys are breathing very well. They still need a small amount of supplemental oxygen, and may need oxygen for a few months after they come home.
Their eyes continue to look good and are considered to be in the second-to-best category. Many preemies need eye surgery, but it looks like Alex and Zach may not! They're not out of the woods just yet, but we're very hopeful. Please keep this in your prayers.
Pictures are attached! The website has also been updated: http://www.rathjengroup.com/personal.htm
Please take a minute to offer a prayer of thanksgiving. These boys are coming home strong and healthy, and I just don't think this would be the case without your many words of prayer on their behalf.
Pass the word!
Tom and Nicole