A Letter to All from Mom and Dad

It has been a very long road for our family, and we would like to thank all those who have supported us since the end of November 2012 and address some concerns regarding Archer's health.

Thank You:
Mom would not have made it to Dupont hospital in time if it wasn't for her intuition to get checked out by her obstetrician in Defiance. We would like to thank the OB for visiting Mom at Defiance Regional Hospital and making the recommendation for taking the trip to Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne. It was a scary time and she helped us through the first hour of this journey.
When we made it to Dupont Hospital Mom was seen by her specialist (perinatalogist), and he made the call to perform a procedure (cerclage) to help keep Archer in the womb. This lasted for five nights. On Friday night the doctor was concerned about the situation but kept it to himself because he did not want to concern Mom and Dad. He had the intuition to come back in early Saturday morning to give Archer and Mom another look. The umbilical cord was prolapsed, mandating an emergency c-section even though Archer was head down. Waiting could have led Archer's blood supply to be cut off. The doctor gave the news that Mom had to deliver almost 17 weeks early; Archer had no choice but to come out into the world. It was the scariest moment of Mom and Dad's lives, and they had to make a difficult decision in two minutes time. They were told that Archer had a 40-50% chance to survive. The doctor and hospital staff delivered Archer at 7:47 that morning; he made his entrance with a couple of cries. Mom's perinatalogist saved Archer's life that day. He said if he would have waited another 20 minutes Archer might not have made it, and Mom and Dad are very thankful to have been in the hands of such a capable doctor in a facility equipped to care for babies at such a young gestational age.
Archer was then placed in the hands of a neonatologist and a nursing staff. Mom and Dad waited 4 hours to see Archer. It was soon realized that he was in good hands in the NICU as well. They thank the neonatologist and the nursing staff for helping to save Archer and transferring him from the womb to an incubator in a room full of life support technology.
Mom needed care for a few days after delivery. She was sore and unable move around without pain. Mom and Dad would like to thank all nurses who cared for Mom after the delivery.
The next several months were full of ups and downs, just as the neonatologists and nursing staff had predicted. There were times of frustration, happiness, and sadness. Times when Mom and Dad would question doctors, nurses, and Archer's care. They would like to thank the staff of all six neonatologists, the nurse practitioners, all nurses who helped care for Archer, all respiratory therapists who provided Archer with oxygenation systems and breathing treatments to help get his lungs healthy, the physical therapists, speech pathologists, ophthalmologists, case manager, and anyone else not mentioned but who helped with Archer's care. They would like to thank all of them for putting up with Mom and Dad for so long and helping them bring Archer home healthy. Mom and Dad made some good friends at Dupont's NICU, and they hope they get to keep in touch often with these newfound friends.
Family and friends helped Mom and Dad throughout these tough times too. Some helped take care of Mom a few weeks after delivery and offered rides to the hospital. Some cooked meals and offered them to Mom and Dad to eat in between their traveling and time spent in the NICU. Some offered their vehicles for transportation, meals, gift cards, hotel rooms, money, groceries, and helped in any way they knew how. They showered Mom, Dad, and Archer with prayers, gifts and diapers. Several came to visit Archer and provided their support. Mom and Dad thank them for showing their support during these tough times.
Mom and Dad's coworkers have been absolutely tremendous. Dad was able to take as much time off as needed to help care for his family. The administration, teachers, and students in the school district constantly showered them with cards and generous gifts. A book drive was also coordinated to donate new books to Kate's Kart. Mom and Dad would like to thank the community of Ottoville.
Thanks to everyone who followed this blog. It was first created to communicate with family and friends who were far from Dupont Hospital. It became a way for Mom and Dad to reflect on Archer's progress and an outlet for other preemie parents to learn about common, or uncommon, preemie ups and downs. The blog has been viewed from across the world and has been viewed thousands of times. Dad needs a break from the blog. If he keeps it going it will not be updated daily. He is ready to spend more time playing with Archer rather than writing about him.
Thanks again everyone! Your support will not be forgotten; Mom and Dad hope to repay your support if they are in the position to do so.
Thank you.

Archer's Health:
Archer started out with a rough life but he has progressed far beyond Mom and Dad's expectations. Here is a list of concerns that Archer will be coming home with:

• Chronic Lung Disease - Archer's lungs were not meant to work at 23 weeks gestation. Even if he is on little oxygen support, his lungs are still weak. Archer is more prone to catching sickness and infections than babies born full-term and without health issues. The slightest cold has the potential to send Archer to the hospital, and Mom and Dad would rather not relive the hospital experience. Second-hand smoke is not good for Archer's already fragile lungs. Smoke can cling to cars, clothes, other materials, and people. If you are a smoker we ask that you travel in a smoke-free vehicle when you visit Archer and that you have a new change of clothes that do not smell of smoke. Smoke can increase the risk of SIDS and RSV. We ask all visitors to be healthy and stay sanitized with clean hands and clothes while visiting. 
• RSV - Preemies are more susceptible to RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). The season lasts from fall to spring, and the start and stop times of the season varies by the year. Archer will receive RSV shots every month during the season for the first couple years of life. The average person can recover from RSV in 1 to 2 weeks. It can be much more severe for preemies. RSV in adults can appear as the common cold or cough. If this is passed on to Archer, then it could mean a rough hospital trip for him or worse. Please stay healthy and sanitized while visiting.
• ROP - Archer required an eye procedure, in both eyes, because his eyes were not fully mature and blood vessels were growing in the wrong direction, which can lead to detachment of the retina and potential blindness. His last checkup showed a positive beginning to regrowth of the vessels in the back of his eye. He will require more checkups to see if any more procedures are needed. At the very least he may require glasses, or not, but this is still unknown.
• Hernia - Archer has a rather large hernia in his lower region. He will require outpatient surgery to remove the hernia when he is 55 weeks gestational age unless the hernia is causing more significant issues. The hernia could be making it difficult for him to pass stool. His stomach seems very sensitive. He will also be circumcised when he has this surgery.
• Brain Bleed - Archer had several brain scans early in his life to look for signs of brain bleeds (know as IVH). There was a small, questionable spot that was barely worth noting. Mom and Dad will have to monitor his progression closely to see if this is cause for any developmental delays.
• Seizures - Archer showed signs of having a seizure early in life. He was on medication for a couple of months. Since he has been off medication he has not shown any seizure-like activity. It's something Mom and Dad will have to watch for.
• Medications and Other Requirements - Archer has several medications and other requirements that he will be coming home with. Most of these he may wean off within a few months or less. It will require consultations from his pediatrician and other specialists that he will see.
• Archer is on medication to help reduce fluid in his lungs.
• Archer requires breathing treatments to help lung development.
• Archer is on medication to help his kidneys. He requires a checkup on his kidneys in a couple of months.
• Archer requires medication to help reduce reflux.
• Archer requires vitamins.
• Archer requires gas drops to help his tummy troubles.
• Archer requires a calorie fortifier mixed with his milk to help gain weight.
• Archer requires a 1/16 of liter flow of oxygen.
• Archer requires an apnea monitor that alarms if he stops breathing after 20 seconds.
• Archer requires a pulse oximeter to monitor his breathing levels.
• 4 Months Behind - Archer is already starting out in the world 4 months behind. His adjusted age started at his due date, March 26th. He will need practice performing physical and verbal exercises to catch him up to other babies his age. He is already showing some physical attributes that typical 1 month olds cannot do.

Mom and Dad must be cautious with Archer. As normal as Archer acts he has his limitations. At many times early in his life Archer will be kept from public places or large gatherings to avoid infections. Mom and Dad ask everyone to respect all rules when visiting Archer or caring for Archer when Mom and Dad need a night out. Mom and Dad do not want any of his requirements to prevent visitors. They love seeing family and friends and do not want to prevent Archer from meeting and playing with family and friends. Please, please make sure you are healthy when you visit. Please ask to visit. Please keep in touch with Mom and Dad, they need a social life too! It will take some time for Mom and Dad to figure out a schedule with Archer and please respect this time they need to adjust to a new life.