How would you react if the nurse in your newborn son’s ICU told you upon arrival that morning that your baby boy’s heart rate had dropped to a point so low that it was abnormally slow two times during the night and that each time the event lasted about 3 seconds before self-correcting?
Right?
Now, what would you say if they followed that up with, “But for all we know that happens to a lot of newborns. We just aren’t monitoring them the way we are little Zachary.”
Soooooo….nothing to worry about?
Holy.
Fuck.
So, here we are. No more apnic episodes. No more tests. But he’s still in the ICU. Still being watched because, well, those 4 events earlier in the week were pretty freaking frightening.
Today Beth was able to breast feed Zack and he took to it. He’s been behaving like a normal baby for all intents and purposes. But we still won’t have anything concrete til after the weekend. And no idea when he’ll be coming home.
But in this case, no news is actually good news and our level of worry is starting to diminish.
But, please, Zack, breath, keep your freaking food down and stop with the heart slowing. Your making us nuts.
Kendall and I are following Zack's story. The pix bring back so many memories of that place. Our son Charlie was in the Cedars NICU for five months in 2009 with all sorts of issues including six surgeries. He's doing great now, as Beth knows from the Mom's group. And while obviously every single terrifying episode that happens in the NICU like the one you describe makes you want to jump out of your skin, it sounds like he's doing so well now, even with the self-correcting business. I remember when Charlie finally started to self-correct and how thrilled we were. (Can adults "self-correct?" What a great term!) Here's hoping he's back home very SOON! Until then, know that he's in one of the best NICUs in the country, I really came to love **most** of the doctors and nurses there!
All the best,
Danny Miller
West Adams neighbor
Thanks, Danny. It's been almost a week without incident and we're just chomping to get him home, you know?
Hi Allen…I am sending you both so much love and hope that things are continuing to steadily improve. I am looking forward to getting my hands on that little guy when you bring him home, which I hope is very soon. Waiting with bated breath for your next update…