ex machina
the eric update - day 16: doing the 'roo with pops
finally! after a false start earlier in the week and kris hogging all the kangaroo care time recently ( obviously, i hold no malice - moms always get first dibs on kangaroo time ), i was beginning to wonder when i'd ever get a chance to get some skin-to-skin time.
he stayed on my chest for two hours without throwing a single, solitary alarm. it's amazing how much their breathing and heart rate stabilize when doing kangaroo care. he'd been having bouts of bradycardia all morning long that immediately disappeared as soon as he was put on my chest. and his heart rate really does do less "bouncing around".
it's hard to believe that there are still some fairly prominent nicus that don't encourage the practice. even if the physiological benefits to the baby weren't fairly well proven, it obviously does the parents a world of good.
as you can see, he was a very happy boy after it was all done - all smiles and making cutesy eyes at kris.
7/20/2004 09:08:00 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
First time reader, straight from BoingBoing...
I was a "micropreem", almost 24 years ago. 7 1/2 mos., 1.5 lbs, if the story has been relayed correctly. I don't know if "micropreem" was a term they used back then, and I'm sure there was no 'roo care.
I'm rooting for Eric, my gut feeling as a stranger is that he'll come through with flying colors. Myself, I ended up with a moderate case of cerebral palsy (and a wheelchair), but none the worse for wear, now your average twenty-something, looking to find herself. :)
All the best...
Alejandra
superaleja.org
By 
, at
2:01 AM
My friend pointed me here; she figured as a nursing student, possibly considering peds/picu/nicu, I would like it. Just wanted to say first off, it's amazing that you're sharing all this here. I have been very impressed with your positive attitudes. Congrats on the successful kangaroo time!
I wanted to comment on the "left differential shift", as you mentioned that you didn't know what it meant and the np didn't explain it. Basically, it has to do with the "age" of the white blood cells. Each cell goes through several stages as they develop into mature cells, and these stages can be plotted on a timeline, left to right. So a "left shift" means that they're seeing enough immature cells (further to the left on the timeline than they should be) that it indicates that there are not enough mature cells and they're getting kicked out into the bloodstream immature. A few are normal to see, but a bunch can mean trouble. Or actually, can mean recovery from trouble; the immune system has been challenged, but it is rallying and doing what it's suppoed to do.
Hope that helped. :)
By , at
4:19 AM
i'm indeed touched by yr courage and attitude in this whole experience...i can see how little eric is fighting there...May God strong arm enfold all of you.
By , at
5:59 AM
thanks for the explanation of the "shift left". i figured it had to do with a stnadard curve of some sort, just didn't have the energy to ask One More Question at that point. thanks!
Hi
My thoughts are with you three at what is undoubtably a rough rough time. Stick in there guys. Im wishing and hoping all the way from the uk
By , at
10:53 AM
Wow....Eric is indeed a fighter. My husband send me the link to your site and I must say, you will all be in our prayers.
We found out several weeks ago that we're pregnant as well. You two must be so very strong. I don't know if I could handle something like this.
*sends lots of hugs and prayers*
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