| The NICU Experience | Aaron update 75 |
| Subject: Aaron update 75 Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 8:01 PM From: Kevin Quick To: Aaron Update List I called and talked with nurse Lisa this morning. Aaron gained another 90 grams (wow), so he’s still growing. His oxygen has been in the 30-something percent range, which is good. Lisa said that Aaron is right on track, and will probably be moved to TCN (the transitional care nursery) at the next shift change, which is at 3:30 this afternoon. Lisa had been gone for a week, and she said that Aaron looked like a different baby from the one that she had left; he so big now! Kathleen is on her way back down to San Francisco as I write this (thank you, Betty, for driving Kathleen down; this is a huge help for us!). She should be there around 2 or 3 p.m., so she might be able to be involved in Aaron’s transition to TCN. Lisa is looking forward to working closely with Kathleen and Aaron over the next week or so, to get Aaron’s breast feeding going well, hopefully getting things to the point where Aaron is breast and bottle feeding only (with no gavage feeds). I gave Lisa the additional assignment of encouraging Kathleen to get some sleep; she’s not been sleeping enough (she went to bed at 3 a.m. this morning, and got up at 6 a.m., for instance.) If any of you happen to talk with Kathleen over the next few days, please encourage her to GET SOME SLEEP! We can’t afford to have her get sick now; she would then not be able to see Aaron until she got well. (I talked with nurse Jo about this yesterday, and she said that if a preemie were to catch a cold, it would be very serious, and could be fatal.) Kathleen had her baby shower yesterday evening, and from what I’ve seen and heard, it was quite the event! Some games had been planned, but, because so many people (about 50) were there, and because there were so many gifts, Kathleen spent the entire two and a half hours opening gifts! Before gift-opening time, though, Kathleen was deeply moved when a half dozen close friends placed their hands on Kathleen and everyone in attendance prayed for her, Aaron and me. Then, Kathleen opened gifts for the remainder of the time. She feels a little badly that she wasn’t able to personally say “hi” to and hug everyone, but she wants you to know that she would have liked to have done this. Also, she very much appreciates the kindness of those who were sick and opted not to come so as not to expose Kathleen to whatever they had, but sent gifts anyway. I received a present, too. Kathleen passed along to me a little book that was signed by most of those in attendance, with messages of love and encouragement, and thanks for the updates. How sweet and thoughtful! I’ve only glanced at the book; I don’t want to read through it in a rush. I’ll read it soon when I have a few quiet moments. But, thank you, ladies, for your kindness. This means a lot to me! All the gifts wouldn’t fit into our car, so a friend followed Kathleen home, with the overflow in her car! We don’t know how to begin to thank the ladies who put this shower together (I’d better not name names, or I’ll forget a couple of them, for sure), and for those who attended and blessed us with their presence and presents. We love you, and are deeply humbled by the love of God shown to us through you. May God bless each of you, in return. Again, thank you!! Kathleen brought her digital camera to the shower, and quite a few pictures were taken (thank you Lori!). I’ve attached a few of these (and one that I took after all the gifts were unloaded and placed into “Aaron’s room”) to this update. Love, Kevin & Kathleen P.S. If anyone would like to drive Kathleen down to San Francisco on any Wednesday over the next few weeks (until Aaron comes home), please let us know. It would be ideal if Kathleen could come home with me on Monday, spend Tuesday at home, and return to SF on Wednesday. However, I have office and caretaking work that I have to get done during the week, so I can’t conveniently get down there until Friday afternoons. If anyone needs to make a trip to SF, or would just like to make a trip, see and hold Aaron (trying to bribe you here), etc., please let us know. Thanks! |
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