Need some help

Gringo Loco · **Posted:** Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:53 pm

Mike, congrats to you and your wife. Becoming a new father/mother is wonderful, isn't it? Been getting any sleep? At first with my son we were only getting about 3-4 hrs a night. He is now 6 wks old and we are getting about 7-8 hrs a night. Twins should be real fun, good luck and get some rest.

Inc · **Posted:** Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:51 am

Well, my wife was able to come home today. We have been in the hospital for over 2 weeks. The twins are still there. Our baby girls will be in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit until close to the beginning of January which is when they were originally due. They both are doing pretty good. They are hooked up to a ton of machines and it is kind of hard to watch your little ones get poked and prodded and not be able to really comfort them. It is also pretty hard to only be able to lightly touch them when all you want to do is hold them close. But I know it is for their benefit and that is all I really care about. They are tough little suckers though, both are off the ventilators already and are breathing under their own power with a supply of oxygen under their noses. They may have to have surgery because a valve in their chests, which normally closes up in full term babies after they are born, hasn't closed yet and it needs to in order for their lungs to properly develop and receive the right amount of blood. Surgery will really help if it comes to that, but it is a very invasive procedure and the less stress on our little ones the better. So that where we stand so far. Things could be worse, could be better, but it is just going to take time. All you can do is pray, wait and try and keep positive.

Thanks everyone,
-Mike

CrossBones · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:21 am

Even with the good news that we're back on the forum, I've been thinking about Mike's daughter all day today. I hope the surgery went well. Understandably, to the best of my knowledge, he hasn't made an appearance here today.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:26 am

CrossBones wrote:

Even with the good news that we're back on the forum, I've been thinking about Mike's daughter all day today. I hope the surgery went well. Understandably, to the best of my knowledge, he hasn't made an appearance here today.

I have been wondering the same thing, but luckily I found him on Jeepforum and had a chance to ask him about it, and he said that they are still in the hospital and Reagan has to have surgery this Monday to fix a valve in her chest that won't close, so her heart is working overtime. Kind of a routine surgery for preemies. and that Bailey might need it too.--Reagan is the older one.

so good news still

Inc · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:34 am

I'm here buddy.

My daughter is back in the NICU doing well. Surgery went as hoped and they got her PDA clamped off and she should be back off her ventilator in a day or two. That said, today was the hardest day I have had since I can remember. I don't know how you can prepare yourself to see your tiny 2 pound daughter lay there, in pain as the doctors shove metal instruments down her throat, feel helpless as she cries out in pain and watch as blood trickles out of her mouth and onto her pink baby blanket. There are images and moments from today that I wish I could forget but nothing could have kept me from being by her side when she needed me. I know it was for her benefit but that doesn't make it easy to get out of my head. Sorry for being a downer.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:02 am

You and all your girls are in my prayers. I know how hard it is for you right now. My first son was a 7 week preemie, so I have a little idea how you feel. Don't worry though, God is watchin' your girls every second. They will be 10 years old and driving you crazy like mine before you know it.

BTW, The feeling you get the first time they do this is one you will never forget!!!! I can still remember it like it just happened.

CrossBones · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:49 am

Apology not necessary. As you know I don't have children yet, so I cannot even begin to imagine what you went through today. But know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. I only hope your girls become your heroine's. Please forward our well wishes to "mom".

Inc · **Posted:** Tue Nov 04, 2008 2:38 am

Thank you from me and the mommy.

mrkake · **Posted:** Wed Nov 05, 2008 8:05 pm

I have been out of town and just getting back up to speed. Mike, I just wanted you to know that you and your girls (all 3 of them

) have been in our prayers and will continue to be so until they are out of the woods. You will never be able to erase those images, but they will fade with time. My youngest son was 6 and 1/2 weeks early and was in the hospital for a while too. Now he is 6'1" and could probably carry me for a mile. Stay positive and take it day by day (or hour by hour if needs be). We are all thinking of you guys and sending our our positive vibes.

Inc · **Posted:** Wed Nov 05, 2008 8:18 pm

Thanks Kirk. I know everything will be fine and this is all or the best, its just hard. That was a really rough day and the docs and nurses said there would be some of those. The girls are doing alright though and my wife is fine. Poor little Reagan is still a bit puffy from surgery but she is still growing. She is now 2 lbs. 5 oz. and Bailey is 2 lbs 14 ounces. All things considered I am extremely grateful. We live in an amazing country with the best health care in the world. I am blown away by the staff and technology of the hospital. The US may not have the cheapest health care costs in the world but we have the best and let me tell you it is worth it. Thank you all again and I'll be sure to keep you up to speed.

Inc · **Posted:** Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:05 am

So we found out today that Bailey now has to have heart surgery as well. Now we get to do this all over again. The docs didn't say when she'd go in for surgery either so now we have to wait and see what they say tomorrow.

dog_party · **Posted:** Thu Nov 06, 2008 4:28 pm

You and your girls are all in our prayers.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Thu Nov 06, 2008 4:34 pm

We will continue to pray for you and your girls.

Inc · **Posted:** Sun Nov 09, 2008 1:34 pm

Thanks again everyone.

Well both the girls are doing good now. Both surgeries went as planned and the girls are recovering nicely. What a terrible week, but life goes on.

Thanks again everybody. My wife and I really appreciate it.

We'll keep you all updated on their growth with pics as well.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sun Nov 09, 2008 2:15 pm

Good news! Glad things are going well.
Your family is in our thoughts.

mrkake · **Posted:** Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:28 am

That's great news Mike! There will surely be some rough patches ahead, but I think this news deserves a

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:53 am

Thanks guys.

CrossBones · **Posted:** Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:51 pm

Mike, before you know it, you'll be cleaning a shotgun on Saturday nights when the girls dates arrive to pick them up. :wink:

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:47 pm

CrossBones wrote:

Mike, before you know it, you'll be cleaning a shotgun on Saturday nights when the girls dates arrive to pick them up. :wink:

I know, it is scary. Maybe I'll get my pistol, rifle and shotgun out to clean at the same time.

We just got back from the hospital and the girls look fantastic. Mommy got to hold Reagan for close to 2 hours and Reagan loved it. All her vitals were exactly where we wanted them to be when her mom held her and before she was quite fussy and after a little bit too. Bailey is already over 3 lbs. and Reagan is 2 lbs. 6 oz. It was a good day.

Inc · **Posted:** Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:30 pm

Mom with our girls. Bailey - left, Reagan - right

This pic was taken a few days ago. Our girls are now out of the isolettes and are sharing a normal crib now. They are doing great. Both are almost double their body weight from birth and starting to take to eating from a bottle instead of a tube. We are really hoping to get them home before Christmas. Keeping our fingers crossed.

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