First and foremost, Mauricio and I would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support we have received from our friends and family. If you are reading this, we assume you are already aware of the events of the last two weeks. Of course, Mo and I are still coping, but watching our little boy RJ continue to fight for his life is giving us the courage and strength to continue fighting alongside him.
I know that you are all invested and are praying for a positive outcome for little RJ. We are constantly asked for updates and therefore we wanted to create this site as a place for family and friends to log on and share in his progress. I will try to update daily, and as time permits I will do my best to share more of the story leading up to this point.
For now, here are the highlights:
-RJ is now 6 days old and weighs 1 lb 2 oz
-Breathing has been a bit of a roller coaster. RJ initially started on a ventilator and was weaned off the day after birth. He did not tolerate this well, and was soon placed on both a vent and oscillator. Yesterday, he was weaned off a second time and placed on a nasal cannula only. Unfortunately he did not tolerate this either and is back on the ventilator today.
-Doctors attempted to give RJ his first breast milk feeding, which again he did not tolerate. He began throwing up "green stuff" prompting an x-ray of his abdomen and bowels. Doctors found what they described as an abnormality near the end of his colon and are concerned for NEC, which can cause infection.
-RJ is anemic despite several blood transfusions. His blood levels continue to drop and doctors are searching for the source of the bleeding. A head ultrasound was performed this morning, and we are anxiously awaiting the results. We are bracing ourselves for news of a brain hemorrhage, a very common complication in preemies that can cause mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and other developmental delays. At this point we have already been told of a hemorrhage on the left side of the brain, and we are praying that the right side is not effected.
That is all I can think of for now but I am sure I've left something out. We are overwhelmed with all of the information and trying to keep up with the doctors as much as possible.
Other than that, we are spending our days at RJs side and trying to soak up every second with him. Mauricio has sang him lullabies and read him bedtime stories, and I was blessed with the chance to do my first diaper change today!
That is all for now...check back often for updates on our little warrior. And please continue to pray for RJ and sweet baby Luke.
We love you all,
Kelly and Mo
I know that you are all invested and are praying for a positive outcome for little RJ. We are constantly asked for updates and therefore we wanted to create this site as a place for family and friends to log on and share in his progress. I will try to update daily, and as time permits I will do my best to share more of the story leading up to this point.
For now, here are the highlights:
-RJ is now 6 days old and weighs 1 lb 2 oz
-Breathing has been a bit of a roller coaster. RJ initially started on a ventilator and was weaned off the day after birth. He did not tolerate this well, and was soon placed on both a vent and oscillator. Yesterday, he was weaned off a second time and placed on a nasal cannula only. Unfortunately he did not tolerate this either and is back on the ventilator today.
-Doctors attempted to give RJ his first breast milk feeding, which again he did not tolerate. He began throwing up "green stuff" prompting an x-ray of his abdomen and bowels. Doctors found what they described as an abnormality near the end of his colon and are concerned for NEC, which can cause infection.
-RJ is anemic despite several blood transfusions. His blood levels continue to drop and doctors are searching for the source of the bleeding. A head ultrasound was performed this morning, and we are anxiously awaiting the results. We are bracing ourselves for news of a brain hemorrhage, a very common complication in preemies that can cause mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and other developmental delays. At this point we have already been told of a hemorrhage on the left side of the brain, and we are praying that the right side is not effected.
That is all I can think of for now but I am sure I've left something out. We are overwhelmed with all of the information and trying to keep up with the doctors as much as possible.
Other than that, we are spending our days at RJs side and trying to soak up every second with him. Mauricio has sang him lullabies and read him bedtime stories, and I was blessed with the chance to do my first diaper change today!
That is all for now...check back often for updates on our little warrior. And please continue to pray for RJ and sweet baby Luke.
We love you all,
Kelly and Mo
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