As of this moment, the boys are stable. With preemies, there are ebbs and flows, and highs and lows. Some days we may take two steps forward and some days one step back. Some days we may make two steps forward and two steps back. Some days we may make two steps back and that's it. So, one setback may not mean the end of the world. It will be a roller coaster ride we will all be on for the foreseeable future, so hang on and pray with us!
Anthony is breathing on his own with a CPAP machine. This machine shoots a little air into his nose so he doesn't have to work so hard to suck in air. He does not need oxygen and is breathing room air just like you and me. Last night his heart rate fell to a level that the nurses were not comfortable with so they "stimulated" it. However, he was able to bring it back up on his own without any medication.
Jared is on a ventillator still but he too is essentially breathing room air. The doctors are considering taking him off and putting him on the same type of machine as his brother to see how he does. His hemoglobin levels (blood level) is low and he needs a blood transfusion. This is normal and Dr. Patel tells us that most babies improve after a transfusion.
So the word of the moment is stability with vitals looking strong, and that is great. We will go and see them shortly and hopefully I can post the news I get there soon after.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Welcome to Our Blog! Our Story Starts Below...
Welcome to our blog! We set this up as an information hub about the progress of our little twin boys who were born on January 5, 2010. We along with our little boys first thank you so much for your love and support, and hope that this blog will give you an opportunity to follow their progress as they grow in the NICU at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton.
Our little boys had a harrowing journey to get here. They were born at 25 weeks and 6 days, which is needless to say, very early. Jared William, was born at 10:49 a.m. feet first, and on the bathroom floor of the delivery room. Anthony Michael was born at 11:30 via C-section after he decided that he wanted to come out hands first.
Our story started on Monday, January 4 after a doctor's appointment with Dr. Gray. Danielle had been feeling generally, "crappy" the day before and reported what sounded like some contractions. The doctor decided to send us across the street to the hospital just to make sure everything was okay. After a couple of hours in labor and delivery the staff confirmed a few contractions, but very far apart. Her cervix was not dilated and the babies were fine.
The doctor sent us home and told us to keep track of the contractions, and so long as they weren't less than 7 minutes apart there was no need for concern. The next morning Danielle started feeling contractions again, but this time they were about five minutes apart. She called the doctor who said to wait another hour and see if they went away.
I was just getting ready to walk out the door to work when Danielle had a contraction that just about doubled her over. Deciding something wasn't right, I called the doctor and said we were coming to the hospital.
On our way to the hospital Danielle was having severe pains in her lower back every three minutes. When we arrived at the hospital Danielle was hooked up to the machines which registered no contractions at all. The doctors and nurses did not think her pains were contractions but constipation. After several attempts to alleviate that Danielle went into the bathroom still having severe lower back pain.
After a minute, I heard a scream, and Danielle was screaming that her babies were coming out. The nurses came rushing, as did the doctor, but Jared was too impatient to wait. He was born on the bathroom floor. After Danielle was moved to the bed, Anthony wasn't so cooperative and an emergency C-section was performed.
The NICU unit was quick to respond and help the teenie little babies breathe and fight for life. Jared was 2lbs. 1oz. and was 13 and 1/2 inches long. Anthony was 1lb. 15oz. and was 13 inches long.
The whole thing was totally unexpected, and frankly more traumatic than happy. But we are blessed with two gorgeous little miracle babies!
Our boys came home to us on March 26, 2010, after spending 81 days or about 12 weeks in the NICU at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. As you may note from our previous posts below, the journey was not without its bumps in the road.
There were highs, and there were lows. We and the boys braved two laser eye surgeries, and countless other obstacles and scares. But, we never lost confidence in the medical team in the NICU, and always kept our faith that God would lead us through this time.
Our steadfastness paid off, because now the boys are happy and healthy at home! This of course brings with it a totally new set of challenges that we are exicted and eager to experience. The task of caring for twin newborns is a daunting one, but a welcome one.
So, just because the boys are now home, don't think the blogging will stop. It may not be as consistent as before, but we will do our best to keep you all updated on their progress, and give you a window into our lives raising twin boys.
Enjoy!
Our little boys had a harrowing journey to get here. They were born at 25 weeks and 6 days, which is needless to say, very early. Jared William, was born at 10:49 a.m. feet first, and on the bathroom floor of the delivery room. Anthony Michael was born at 11:30 via C-section after he decided that he wanted to come out hands first.
Our story started on Monday, January 4 after a doctor's appointment with Dr. Gray. Danielle had been feeling generally, "crappy" the day before and reported what sounded like some contractions. The doctor decided to send us across the street to the hospital just to make sure everything was okay. After a couple of hours in labor and delivery the staff confirmed a few contractions, but very far apart. Her cervix was not dilated and the babies were fine.
The doctor sent us home and told us to keep track of the contractions, and so long as they weren't less than 7 minutes apart there was no need for concern. The next morning Danielle started feeling contractions again, but this time they were about five minutes apart. She called the doctor who said to wait another hour and see if they went away.
I was just getting ready to walk out the door to work when Danielle had a contraction that just about doubled her over. Deciding something wasn't right, I called the doctor and said we were coming to the hospital.
On our way to the hospital Danielle was having severe pains in her lower back every three minutes. When we arrived at the hospital Danielle was hooked up to the machines which registered no contractions at all. The doctors and nurses did not think her pains were contractions but constipation. After several attempts to alleviate that Danielle went into the bathroom still having severe lower back pain.
After a minute, I heard a scream, and Danielle was screaming that her babies were coming out. The nurses came rushing, as did the doctor, but Jared was too impatient to wait. He was born on the bathroom floor. After Danielle was moved to the bed, Anthony wasn't so cooperative and an emergency C-section was performed.
The NICU unit was quick to respond and help the teenie little babies breathe and fight for life. Jared was 2lbs. 1oz. and was 13 and 1/2 inches long. Anthony was 1lb. 15oz. and was 13 inches long.
The whole thing was totally unexpected, and frankly more traumatic than happy. But we are blessed with two gorgeous little miracle babies!
Our boys came home to us on March 26, 2010, after spending 81 days or about 12 weeks in the NICU at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. As you may note from our previous posts below, the journey was not without its bumps in the road.
There were highs, and there were lows. We and the boys braved two laser eye surgeries, and countless other obstacles and scares. But, we never lost confidence in the medical team in the NICU, and always kept our faith that God would lead us through this time.
Our steadfastness paid off, because now the boys are happy and healthy at home! This of course brings with it a totally new set of challenges that we are exicted and eager to experience. The task of caring for twin newborns is a daunting one, but a welcome one.
So, just because the boys are now home, don't think the blogging will stop. It may not be as consistent as before, but we will do our best to keep you all updated on their progress, and give you a window into our lives raising twin boys.
Enjoy!
I'm glad to hear that the beginning of your wonderful journey is working out okay. I'll be praying for the twins, and I'm sure they are both fighters. I know everyone here at the office have your family in their hearts.
ReplyDelete-- Bryan
Our thoughts and prayers are with you both and with Anthony & Jared. Know that numerous prayer warriors are also lifting the 4 of you up to our healing and loving Lord!
ReplyDeleteLots of love, Jerry & Jill Broussard
Jason, Danielle,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updates. This will keep all of us informed as your beautiful children get better. I am happy to hear that they are both stable, everything will be OK. You and Danielle will appreciate your two gifts even more than you could have expected once you are able to take them home. We are praying for both of you and your children.
Love, Al and Emily
Hi Jason and Danielle,
ReplyDeleteThis is Sandy your nurse from Labor and Delivery. I have been getting updates from Katye our work clerk and she gave me this site address. I have been praying for the boys as well as the both of you. I will be stopping by to see you Fri and Sat.
Hugs to all.
Hi Jason and Danielle. We are all thinking about you guys! I'll keep checking here for updates. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHi Jason and Danielle. Thank you so much for sharing your miraculous story. I look forward to hearing more great news and cant wait to meet your two blessings! My hearts and prayers are with you all.
ReplyDeletexoxo -The Estevez family
Hi Jason and Danielle,
ReplyDeleteWe are glad to hear that both of the boys are doing okay and they are stable. We are thinking about you guys and the babies. Hope everything continues to go well
Jason and Danielle, I have been praying since I heard of these little guys' births. I also have placed all four of you on our prayer chain through my Bible study fellowship. Thank you for putting your story in this forum, I will be keeping up on their progress. Please be assured that you are continually being lifted up in prayer. God is the Great Physician; He formed these precious little ones and I pray that He will continue to strengthen them and give you comfort. Love in Christ, Lori Sager
ReplyDeleteHi Jason & Danielle,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the twins are stable. I am sure everything will pull through even stronger than expected. Its also important to take care of your own health at this time as well, especially Danielle. Having a c-section is tough and needs a lot of healing time. My son, Andrew was also born premature and needed an emergency c-section. Although, we don't see one another often, our hearts are with your young family.
Please let us know if you need anything, even something as simple as pushing your trash cans out on trash day or walking your dog.
Take care,
Robert & Amy Bonelli, your neighbors
If you need anything, just write on the blog or call Amy @ 714-920-4812.
Our stories are eerily similar. Down to the doctors and Gestation of delivery. I noticed your blog stopped. Is there a reason? We too kept a blog but also moved away from it. I would love to hear more about your sweet miracles. If you have the time and or energy please shoot us an email. Andreaoilrn@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSo grateful we found your blog. Such love and hope in it!!! It reminded us a lot of our journey.
An