Archer attempted a car seat study very early in the morning. He attempted it without the help of oxygen, and he failed miserably within the first few minutes. He was allowed to try again later in the morning, with oxygen, and he passed the two hour long test of sitting in a car seat without any poor breathing episodes. Because of this, and the fact that his breathing has been slightly less than acceptable while off oxygen, the orders were changed to Archer requiring a 1/16 liter flow of oxygen all the time, until the orders are reviewed and changed by a pulmonologist. Archer also passed a hearing test today in both ears. It was quite known that Archer's hearing had been good because he is a light sleeper that seems to recognize every beep or voice in the room.
Archer was then on his way to being released! At the NICU there is a wall of footprints of preemies who made a journey from the NICU to their homes. Archer finally got to add his footprint to this wall today!
Archer's belongings were gathered, his medications were picked up, and Dad installed the car seat (with help from a nurse). Mom and Dad said their goodbyes to the NICU staff that helped tremendously improve Archer's health. They hope to visit new friends they have met in the NICU and show how much Archer has progressed in future years thanks to their kind care.
The trip home was very quiet. Archer did not make a peep. He slept almost the entire way home.
Mom and Dad were greeted at home by a gentleman that delivered new equipment for Archer, oxygen tanks and cannulas. Archer received two tanks that can last up to 17 days on 1/16 liter flow and three portable tanks that can last up to 32 hours. Dad learned how to work the new equipment. The car was unloaded, a bottle was made for Archer, and the realization that Archer was home started to sink in.
Archer has taken full bottles and all medications in the short time he has been home. He has also slept the best that he has ever slept in the last 24 hours or so. Noodles met Archer and they are still trying to figure out the new situation. Mom and Dad are exhausted from having very little sleep since Archer's sleepover. It was realized that there is another long road ahead of them. It will take some time to figure out Archer's schedule and get a routine in place. Archer has several appointments already made with a pediatrician and many specialists. He will require special care when he is home, and Mom and Dad are thankful he was able to make the trip home in such good health. Thanks to everyone who made this trip home possible.
Archer's belongings were gathered, his medications were picked up, and Dad installed the car seat (with help from a nurse). Mom and Dad said their goodbyes to the NICU staff that helped tremendously improve Archer's health. They hope to visit new friends they have met in the NICU and show how much Archer has progressed in future years thanks to their kind care.The trip home was very quiet. Archer did not make a peep. He slept almost the entire way home.
Mom and Dad were greeted at home by a gentleman that delivered new equipment for Archer, oxygen tanks and cannulas. Archer received two tanks that can last up to 17 days on 1/16 liter flow and three portable tanks that can last up to 32 hours. Dad learned how to work the new equipment. The car was unloaded, a bottle was made for Archer, and the realization that Archer was home started to sink in.
Archer has taken full bottles and all medications in the short time he has been home. He has also slept the best that he has ever slept in the last 24 hours or so. Noodles met Archer and they are still trying to figure out the new situation. Mom and Dad are exhausted from having very little sleep since Archer's sleepover. It was realized that there is another long road ahead of them. It will take some time to figure out Archer's schedule and get a routine in place. Archer has several appointments already made with a pediatrician and many specialists. He will require special care when he is home, and Mom and Dad are thankful he was able to make the trip home in such good health. Thanks to everyone who made this trip home possible. 
This is Asher's Nana. My grandson was born at the same gestation as Archer and he to is at DuPont NIcu I have read your blog daily from the time our journey began. Your little Archer has given us so much hope. I was delighted when I came to the NICU yesterday and heard you were able to go home. What a tough little guy you have. Congratulations to you and your wife. I will be praying for future progress for little Archer. Take care of yourselves too!
ReplyDelete@ Asher's Nana- We are so glad that you discovered the blog! We have been thinking of Asher's mom & dad since we heard about his possible early arrival. While we never got to meet them, we told Asher's nurses that we were available if they ever wanted to talk. We clearly remember those early days and weeks when we tried to avoid other NICU parents because, in our minds, they just wouldn't understand what it was like to have their child constantly fight just to breathe. Those other babies were "feeders & growers" who might be around for a few days, or weeks before getting their footprints on the wall. Listening to other parents' stories of their "tiny" 3,4, or 5 pounders was hard, and inevitably, the conversation would turn to Archer and end awkwardly. So we apologize for not seeking out Asher's parents, but we didn't want to approach them if they weren't ready to talk. It can be gut-wrenching to have to repeat your babies' prognosis over and over (which is why Kyle started this blog), especially when you don't know what the next day or even hour will bring, so we didn't want to put them through that.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the prayers and following Archer's progress; we have been praying for Asher as well! We hope that the rest of his journey goes quickly with few setbacks. We were happy to hear that he finally got to enjoy kangaroo care! The words: "Do you want to hold him today?" were the best words I had ever heard! If your son and daughter ever want to talk, please feel free to send us a message & we can give you our e-mails or phone numbers. : ) ~Lacy
Thanks so much Lacy! I will have Emily and Cory send you a message so they can get in contact with you.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting and wonderful that he is finally home! I dont know why but this entry brought tears of joy!
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