Waiting To Be Discharged

After Cole was born and his initial surgery, we spent a few more weeks hanging around in the hospital waiting to be discharged. We saw dozens of doctors, nurses, and specialists of all manner. He didn't seem to mind the stay too much, especially with everyone's attention. We are especially grateful for the onslaught of doctors and nurses who partnered with us, trained us, considered us part of the program, and really cared for Cole on the nights when one of us couldn't stay over.

           

We're very lucky to live so close to such a terrific facility such as Primary Children's Medical Center. Everyone associated with Cole's care was clearly professional and competent. We count ourselves even more lucky with the dozen or so staff members who went out of their way and helped us through such a hectic time. We learned a lot from them and, while we don't look forward to having to go back, we know when we do they remember Cole and are excited to see us - even if not under the best of circumstances.

           

A Whole Lot of Love

While we wouldn’t wish a long stay in the hospital on anyone, we did enjoy having a lot of terrific visitors for the three weeks we were there.

Some were from Tami's side of the family. Like Jason and Monica's (with Sam and Lexi) family and Grandma Connie as well as Grandpa Dan and Grandma Gloria. Of course, Nick and Shaylee got to come up to the hospital a lot - it's great to already have a big brother and big sister. 

Others were from Shawn and Teri’s side of the family. Like Grandma Jacquie and Grandpa Keith, Aunt Angie and Uncle Chris (with Tanner and Taylor), and Aunt Kris and Uncle Jim (with Jordan and Jared), Aunt Jeni (with Autumn and Jordan and Matthew – in spirit), Aunt Marilyn, Cousin Peggy, 

Some were friends from around here in Salt Lake City like David and Heather, Brent and Bonnie (Elizabeth, Sara, and Chad), Cliff and Trudy (Zach, Zoe, and Whitney), Ron and Andrea (Matt, Spencer, David, Angela). Others in town from North Dakota, were able to stop by and pay us a nice visit Tracy, Marlynn, (Joshua and Chloe)

The common denominator was that everyone wanted to hold and cuddle with Cole – can you blame them?!? Luckily, the nurses were very patient with the onslaught of visitors. 

Every great nap is often preceeded by another good nap

At this point in Cole's stay he was pretty worn out by the various procedures. And hey, cut him some slack - he's also pretty new to all of this, not to mention that he's still a few weeks ahead of his due date. Between the MRI, we've had almost a half-dozen CT scans, dozens of blood draws, a numerous IV installations. Cole's poor veins just don't tolerate the IVs and within a day to day and a half they go bad and we have to find a new place to put the line.

In fact, you can see in several of the pictures the IV placement move from left foot to right hand to left hand and right foot. It's sad when they have to try and find another spot on a foot or hand to insert the IV where one may have been a few days earlier. And Cole's not really keen on it either.

You can also see the NG tube in his nose. This tube goes from him nose down to his stomache. And whatevery he won't take by orally in the bottle gets to be delivered via the NG tube. He actually doesn't seem to mind the tube except when they have to hold it on his face to tape it down. We're hoping to make it home without the feeding tube and oxygen - but we'll take hime home with the whole hospital set up if it means he goes home a health baby boy.

Hospitals are best for sick people

Cole spent almost three weeks at Primary Childrens Medical Center. The staff was terrific - from nurses, to aides, to the social workers. Of course we all had our favorites, but everyone seemed to love and dote on Cole, even though he pretty much just hung out in his crib.

And while he was terrific at eating early on, after his shunt installation, he had forgotten some of that technique so PCMC brought in a specialist to help train Cole, but mostly us on how to eat again. He was a quick study and seemed to pick it up again within a little over a week. But almost as soon as he figured out the eating thing, we discovered he had reflux and liked to throw up some of that food. The problem was - while his stomach was coordinated enough to get the food up once he got it in his mouth, he didn't seem to know what to do with it. He would just hold it behind his lips. This, of course, made us and the staff very nervous that he would aspirate what he had in his mouth since he wouldn't easily spit it out.

Great - let's eat

Cole ate great, especially during his first days after delivery. He seemed to kow exactly what the bottle was and how to use it - quick study. Here he is with Tami, his birth mom enjoying some scrumptious formula. And what an amazing trooper she was - up and at it within a day of her C-Section - WOW!

It's true - a mother's love endureth all things - birth mother -- adoptive mother - it doesn't matter, just ask us!

Welcome Cole! We're glad you're here!!

Cole made his big appearance on Thu., 2 Aug 2007 - almost 4 1/2 weeks ahead of schedule. He weighed in at a little over 8 pounds and about 18 inches in length - a healthy weight for some little someone that early.

His Hydrocelaphalus, which was found at 18 weeks in utero, resulted in a larger head size than his nursery mates.

No extra charge for the swabbing and brightly colored orange dye!