Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Safe and Sound


We made it back home Monday evening around six. Above is the plane that we flew on. So much for such a tiny little thing!! It was a quick flight and we were so glad to be back with Eric. We missed him so much.

Eric stayed behind to move us. I know, we picked the perfect weekend to move!! He worked so hard to get us moved and I appreciate all that he has done and continues to do for our little family!!

My sisters, Chanel and Ashley, and my Grandma came over to help with the move. Their help and hard work are appreciated more than they know. Thanks to everyone else who helped with the move as well. We have had so much help from so many people and I don't know where we would be without it. Thanks again!!

I am now in the process of figuring out where everything is and where everything needs to go. I'm thinking we're staying here until Eric is finished with school. Seven moves in three years is more than enough!!

It was so great that we have family in Boise to support us while we were there. They were so great. They gave so much love and support which made the trip a little easier. Thank you family!!

Kooper is doing well. They extubated her Sunday afternoon. She is just on the nasal cannula rather than the breathing tube down her throat. They started feeding her Sunday evening and so far so good. She'll get some meat on her bones before we know it!! There was a question as to where the incision for her surgery was. It's on the left side of her back underneath her shoulder blade. The incision is about an inch and a half long and is healing quite nicely. Since we've been back on this side of the state her levels have been running pretty low. They decided it was best for her to get a blood transfusion. The doctor explained that this is normal in babies as early as she was. They don't start making their own red blood cells until later so her blood levels were running low. They gave her some blood last night and so far so good. We called in this morning to see how the transfusion went and the nurse said she was doing great, even a little feisty! That is so our child! Eric wanted to donate his blood for the transfusion but apparently its about a two week process. She obviously needed the blood before he could go through the process so she was able to use some from the blood bank. Eric we'll start the process tonight so that if she needs another transfusion she can get the blood from her dad. Other than that she is doing great! Hopefully from here things will just keep getting better! Here is a picture of her from this past weekend. I think the only fat she has is in her cheeks!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Surgery Success

Well unfortunately the PDA did not close with the aide of medicine alone. We got a call Friday morning informing us that it hadn't closed and she would be transported to Boise that afternoon. Luckily, they were allowing me to be transported with Kooper. After our phone call I rushed to pack a bag so I could stay in Boise with her. They got us on the plane and on our way to Boise within a couple of hours. She did great the whole flight and just slept. We got into Boise around 2:30 pm and got Kooper all settled in her own room in the NICU at St. Lukes.


Within just a couple of hours they were getting her ready for surgery. I was able to speak with the doctor performing the surgery, the anesthesiologist, and the nurses that would be involved with the surgery. Talking with them made it a little easier but I was still so worried. The doctor explained that the main concern with this type of surgery was the possibility of blood loss, but explained that it is a relatively common procedure for preemies. After the longest hour ever the doctor came out and informed me that everything went well and she didn't even lose a drop of blood. What a relief. We have such a tough little girl!


She continues to do well today. They are just managing her pain and keeping her comfortable. They had to intubate her for the surgery. It looks like they'll be taking that out this afternoon and putting her back on the nasal cannula. As long as she continues to do well they'll start feeding her this evening. She needs some meat on those tiny bones!!


Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers in Kooper's behalf. She truly is our little miracle baby!

Here she is resting after surgery.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Update...

I figured I would post a quick update. The PDA/hole in her heart did get smaller with the help of some medication, however, it hasn't closed off completely yet. It went from a large size to a moderate size. They started our little girl on some new medicine last night. They are giving her three doses, one every 12 hours. As long as her body continues to take it well, her last dose will be given this evening at 6:00 pm. Tomorrow they will do another echo to see if the medicine worked and if the hole is closed. If it hasn't closed they will be transporting her to either Primary Childrens in Salt Lake or St. Lukes in Boise. Once at the new hospital they will preform a surgery to close the hole. Other than that she is doing well.

I found some information on this condition online. You can read about here or just google PDA and you'll get tons of info.

While we wait to find out if it worked, please keep our little Kooper in your prayers. She's just so tiny. She needs all the help she can get.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Daddy's lil' girl

Today we had a really good visit. She was so calm and peaceful. Things are really going well too. Her bilirubin count is down so she doesn't have to hang out under the blue lights anymore. No more cool shades. They had to stick pieces of velcro on the sides of her head so that the glasses stay on. That has to be a little uncomfortable. It is so nice to have those off so we can see more of her face. Yesterday they had to put an IV in her head... I didn't like it. Eric said she looked like a unicorn. They took it out today though so that made me feel better. There is a hole in the heart that babies need in the womb and after they're born its supposed to close. Well her hole wasn't closing so they had to put her on medicine to help close it. They did another EKG to see if the hole was closing and it is!! Hopefully she can keep it up so that it closes completely and she wont have to have surgery.


The best part about our visit today was that Eric got to hold his little girl for the first time!! She looked so tiny in his hands. She was very content and seemed to enjoy her daddy's constant warmth. Her temperature was running a little cool but after some time on her daddy's chest she warmed right up!! It was a very special moment for me to see the two loves of my life so happy.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

We're home...

After the longest week in history, Eric and I packed our bags and made our way home yesterday afternoon. The thought of sleeping in our own bed, and not having to worry about nurses checking in every five minutes was all very exciting, but the idea of not being a short walk down the hall from our little girl was heartbreaking. We know she's in the best place possible right now and she is getting all of the care she needs so that eventually she can come home with us. It's just hard. You get pregnant and your baby is with you all the time. Then you start daydreaming about having your baby, bringing your baby home, and what life will be like with your baby. Never in your daydreams do you imagine having to leave your baby, or come home from the hospital empty handed and pick up life without her there. Its just hard. I'm trying my best to be strong for Kooper and I keep reminding myself that she is where she needs to be right now. She is still doing well which is all we can ask for right now. She's a fighter... she'll make it through.

I want to thank all of you who have been so supportive and loving during this hard time. I don't know where we would be without all of your prayers, offers of help, and words of encouragement. We truly are blessed.

And just because I think she's the most precious thing in the world... Here is a picture of Kooper sportin' her 4th of July hair accessory. She may not be able to wear clothes yet, but dang... her hair looks good!!!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Here she is, Kooper Nichole VanGenderen.

Just doing what she does best right now... sleep.

The 1st time that Kooper was held by Mommy, or anyone for that matter. Dad is jealous.


So small...

She is so spoiled. Already catching some rays with her "cool" shades.