March 6th: A little after noon Teresa was diagnosed with a severe case of H.E.L.L.P Syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal syndrome caused by the pregnancy. She was transferred to Emanuel Legacy Hospital by ambulance for a high risk emergency c-section. Many prayers, skillful hands and God's grace allowed the surgery to go flawlessly. (Entire story of that experience can be emailed upon request.)
March 6th: (3/6/09) easy to remember @ 7:01pm Our little miracle, Noah Glen Merrell was born (just known as baby Merrell at the time as we thought we had more time to finalize a name); Following surgery Teresa was placed on Magnesium to help repair her liver.
March 7th: Teresa was taken off Magnesium in the evening. Her liver and blood platelets from H.E.L.L.P syndrome started normalizing. Brian changed Noah's first diaper (wasn't expecting tar!) and took temperature; Named Noah by calling him by a few names and seeing what he responded to. (We were leaning towards Noah but he confirmed it) Noah moved from the Ladybug section of the NICU to the Butterfly section.
March 8th: Teresa got to hold Noah for the first time. Noah moved from the Butterfly section of the NICU to the Bunny section. Skipping right over the Duck section:) - That's my boy!! He's a true Beaver he's already jumping over Ducks when most kids his age are still in the womb.
March 9th: CPAP (breathing tubes) removed. Started sucking on pacifier. Little jaundice, started photo therapy with his cool shades and sun tan booth. Started feeding him breast milk through a small tube that went through his mouth into his stomach. First feeding 3ml every 3 hours.
March 10th: Removed IV. Noah at lowest weight. around 3lbs. Teresa discharged from hospital. Had to go home w/o Noah. Teresa got to do 1st skin-to-skin holding with Noah. Brian got to hold for first time. Feeding start at 7ml and increased 2mls every other feeding.
March 11th: Noah turned 33 weeks (gestation)
March 12th: Completed photo therapy (tanning booth).
March 13th: Noah is 1 week old. Brian first skin to skin. Teresa extended skin-to-skin
March 15th: Feeding up to 24ml
March 16th: Feeding up to full 32ml.
March 17th: Added calories to breast milk. Total- 32ml & 24 cal.
March 18th: Noah is 34 weeks gestation. He started breast feeding just a little. He still has a ways to go before he can suck, swallow and breathe at the same time. But he's making progress.
March 19th: Noah weights 3lb. 10oz exceeding his birth weight. The top was taken off Noah's incubator. He is starting to regulate his temperature a little bit.
March 20th: Noah is Two weeks old. Up to 3lb. 12oz and 33ml per feeding.
Way to go, Noah!! We hope to see you soon,
ReplyDeleteLove, Grandma Laurie and Grandpa Dan
Heard about Noah through the grapevine. Congrats on the boy and the positive attitude through trying times. Rebecca and I are expecting another little boy. We have 5 weeks left, so we won't have to go through what you have the last couple weeks (knocking on wood). We'll keep you in our prayers. Good luck and God bless buddy.
ReplyDelete-Tim Clarkson
I had that HELLP syndrome with my first, but he was born at 35 weeks and was fine for the most part. Your little Noah is so cute and tiny. You will definitely be in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteJessica (Barnson)