Preemies, especially micro-preemies present ethical issues to parents as well as the medical community. Babies born before 23 weeks have virtually zero chance of survival and those born between 23-26 weeks have low survival rates. Disability rates for all preemies is higher, but very high with babies born so early. There are questions surrounding too much intervention and the pain which these babies go through in order to survive. Some people are also concerned about the cost of these medically complicated babies. If Bennett's hospital stay (relatively uncomplicated) of 32 days cost almost $400,000, imagine the cost for a much smaller baby who needs many medical interventions and stays 100 days or more. It is uncomfortable to think of these issues, they cause dissonance in my own brain. I'm not sure where I stand on resuscitation before a certain number of weeks. Where do you draw the line? How much do these babies suffer? What would I do if faced with that situation? The answers are unclear for me.
The Preemie Experiment was created to educate the world about the long-term effects of prematurity. The posts are written by a woman who has two preemies (25 weeker and 34 weeker). She tackles these complicated ethical issues, although answers are difficult to come by. The comments on some of the posts are quite heated. I uncomfortably visit this site to learn from this experienced community and clarify my own values.
http://thepreemieexperiment.blogspot.com/
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Loss
There are a number of blogs that I am following right now that feature brave families who have lost a baby after a premature birth. That all of these families lost their babies as a result of preeclampsia just shows my biased point of view. Premature births happen for many reasons and often the reason cannot be pinned down. A woman goes into labor early, it can't be stopped, and a preemie is born.
Ashley and her husband Chris had their son Nolan very early, 26 weeks I believe (forgive me Ashley, if I am wrong) due to preeclampsia. He fought a brave battle, but ultimately lost. If you have the time, check out his video on her sidebar and meet little Nolan.
http://rubybaby09.blogspot.com/
Ashley and her husband Chris had their son Nolan very early, 26 weeks I believe (forgive me Ashley, if I am wrong) due to preeclampsia. He fought a brave battle, but ultimately lost. If you have the time, check out his video on her sidebar and meet little Nolan.
http://rubybaby09.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Featured Preemie
To coincide with our plan to walk the March of Dimes this year, I decided to post a daily feature for the next few days. One of the activities that occupies my time is following blogs of families with preemies. I came across most of these through my involvement with the Preeclampsia Foundation. Just in case you have never known someone who has experienced a premature birth, these blogs might give you a bit more insight and empathy into the world of these special families.
Fair warning: not all of these blogs are "happy endings." Premature babies don't always survive and those that do often have significant disabilities.
Today's blog is definitely about survival and meeting the challenges that come along with having not one, but two micro-preemies (usually defined as born before 29 weeks gestation and weighing less than 3 lbs, although the definition varies). Eden and Holland are miraculous. Meet them and their amazing family here:
http://micropreemietwins.blogspot.com/
Fair warning: not all of these blogs are "happy endings." Premature babies don't always survive and those that do often have significant disabilities.
Today's blog is definitely about survival and meeting the challenges that come along with having not one, but two micro-preemies (usually defined as born before 29 weeks gestation and weighing less than 3 lbs, although the definition varies). Eden and Holland are miraculous. Meet them and their amazing family here:
http://micropreemietwins.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
March of Dimes
We have decided to walk for the March of Dimes. The reasons are surely obvious, but just in case someone missed it, Bennett was born at 31 weeks. I never even considered the possibility of a preemie until it happened to us. Spending 32 days in the NICU watching those tiny babies struggle was a life-changing experience. We were the lucky ones and I will never forget that. The March of Dimes supports families who face pre-term birth as well as the babies themselves.
So, if you have it in your budget (because I know you all have it in your hearts), please consider donating through the widget on my sidebar.
So, if you have it in your budget (because I know you all have it in your hearts), please consider donating through the widget on my sidebar.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Stuff and stuff
First off, my exciting news for the day. I recently filled out an application to be a volunteer with the Preeclampsia Foundation. I got a mass email requesting people to edit stories, web content, etc and replied that I would love to help. Instead, they asked me if I wanted a larger role. I am now the baby fair coordinator for the region (CO, WY, ND, SD, MT, NB, and two Canadian provinces). The position is totally volunteer and involves working with PE survivors in those regions to get Foundation booths at local baby fairs to raise awareness. I may be able to run some myself in this area. I am so excited about this. I haven't volunteered since Eula died and this is the perfect opportunity to contribute to an organization that has done so much for me.
I don't know if I mentioned that I ordered the new Beatles box set. I got it from a third-party seller on Amazon for a really good price. The shipping was a mess and it was over a month before it arrived. I finally got it when we arrived home from Phoenix and started putting burning the songs onto my computer yesterday. I was suspicious of it from when I first took the plastic off and started taking the CD's out. It just seemed strange. Then I got to The White Album and discovered that there was only one CD (supposed to be a double). I got to looking closer and there were some CD's with unreadable track listings and even some typos (eg: Yellow Submarine was spelled "yillow"). I've been had with a bootleg copy of the box set. But it looks like either the company or Amazon will be refunding my money, but what a waste of time and energy. I'm going to take my 33% off coupon and buy it at Border's instead.
Bennett is in some sort of nap transition period. His morning nap was getting shorter and shorter, so we decided to try one nap yesterday. He only slept for an hour and a half but generally seemed fine with that. But then he woke up early this morning and was definitely ready to go down by 10am. I just put him down again because bedtime is too far away for such an early nap. So, we will take it day-by-day for now and see how it goes. I have a feeling it will be one nap one day and two the next for a bit.
I forgot to mention that my cousin Russell died before we went to Phoenix. He had had drug problems since he was a teenager and died of a methadone overdose. He left behind an 11 year old son. Sounds eerily like Marlena's ex Tad. I didn't make it to the funeral, but my mom did. That was the reason she ended up not being able to make it to Phoenix. It is such a terrible tragedy.
I don't know if I mentioned that I ordered the new Beatles box set. I got it from a third-party seller on Amazon for a really good price. The shipping was a mess and it was over a month before it arrived. I finally got it when we arrived home from Phoenix and started putting burning the songs onto my computer yesterday. I was suspicious of it from when I first took the plastic off and started taking the CD's out. It just seemed strange. Then I got to The White Album and discovered that there was only one CD (supposed to be a double). I got to looking closer and there were some CD's with unreadable track listings and even some typos (eg: Yellow Submarine was spelled "yillow"). I've been had with a bootleg copy of the box set. But it looks like either the company or Amazon will be refunding my money, but what a waste of time and energy. I'm going to take my 33% off coupon and buy it at Border's instead.
Bennett is in some sort of nap transition period. His morning nap was getting shorter and shorter, so we decided to try one nap yesterday. He only slept for an hour and a half but generally seemed fine with that. But then he woke up early this morning and was definitely ready to go down by 10am. I just put him down again because bedtime is too far away for such an early nap. So, we will take it day-by-day for now and see how it goes. I have a feeling it will be one nap one day and two the next for a bit.
I forgot to mention that my cousin Russell died before we went to Phoenix. He had had drug problems since he was a teenager and died of a methadone overdose. He left behind an 11 year old son. Sounds eerily like Marlena's ex Tad. I didn't make it to the funeral, but my mom did. That was the reason she ended up not being able to make it to Phoenix. It is such a terrible tragedy.
Monday, January 25, 2010
I'm slow with the updates
Our trip to Phoenix was a mixed bag. The weather was nice and warm the first couple of days and we were even able to get a game of golf in. That made me happy. I haven't played since before Bennett was born. Needless to say, there were little white balls flying in every direction but the one I was aiming for. We got to spend a lot of time with the in-laws, etc. It's always fun to watch Bennett with his cousins. The first thing Grant did was throw a ball full blast at Bennett's head. It took him a couple of days for him to warm back up after that.
Unfortunately the fun did not last. Last Sunday, Bennett started throwing up and didn't stop for three hours of so. It was the most pitiful sight I've ever seen, his pale little body just passed out and puking every once in awhile. He got better Sunday night and then I started Monday morning. I spent the entire day in my sister-in-law's basement in general misery. Bernie got his turn Tuesday and we came home Wednesday. Oh what fun! And it rained those days. It never rains in Phoenix. I guess we just weren't meant to have the greatest trip. Hopefully it will go better when we get back.
Bennett is finally hands-and-knees crawling. He took his sweet time with the army crawl and has finally realized that it is easier to stand up when he is already on his knees. He can also go up and down stairs whenever he feels like it. I think February will be his walking month.
Bernie's poor little heart is broken. His Vikings let him down in epic fashion yesterday. I still even feel a little sick about it. We had a party to celebrate the game. It was a full house and a good time until the end of the game. We'll see if Bernie can pull himself together and have some enthusiasm for next year.
No big trips on the horizon, although there will no doubt be a marathon Great Falls/Bismarck trip early this summer. Bernie is going to Boise in March for a week for his annual fire-weather training. I don't like the idea of hanging out here with Bennett alone, so I will likely either go see my mother or go back to Phoenix. The problem with going to Great Falls is that my mother is incredibly busy since my grandma is out of town for the winter. I would likely be without her as well for the week and would have to rent a car. So we will see. It isn't very much fun to hang out with a toddler in a place he is unfamiliar sans support.
I'm ready for winter to be over. Ready for the flowers and slightly warmer weather. It's just cool enough most days that walks are not great for Bennett. The past two winters had warmer spells and I guess I got a little bit spoiled. The spring is so beautiful here. I can't wait.
Unfortunately the fun did not last. Last Sunday, Bennett started throwing up and didn't stop for three hours of so. It was the most pitiful sight I've ever seen, his pale little body just passed out and puking every once in awhile. He got better Sunday night and then I started Monday morning. I spent the entire day in my sister-in-law's basement in general misery. Bernie got his turn Tuesday and we came home Wednesday. Oh what fun! And it rained those days. It never rains in Phoenix. I guess we just weren't meant to have the greatest trip. Hopefully it will go better when we get back.
Bennett is finally hands-and-knees crawling. He took his sweet time with the army crawl and has finally realized that it is easier to stand up when he is already on his knees. He can also go up and down stairs whenever he feels like it. I think February will be his walking month.
Bernie's poor little heart is broken. His Vikings let him down in epic fashion yesterday. I still even feel a little sick about it. We had a party to celebrate the game. It was a full house and a good time until the end of the game. We'll see if Bernie can pull himself together and have some enthusiasm for next year.
No big trips on the horizon, although there will no doubt be a marathon Great Falls/Bismarck trip early this summer. Bernie is going to Boise in March for a week for his annual fire-weather training. I don't like the idea of hanging out here with Bennett alone, so I will likely either go see my mother or go back to Phoenix. The problem with going to Great Falls is that my mother is incredibly busy since my grandma is out of town for the winter. I would likely be without her as well for the week and would have to rent a car. So we will see. It isn't very much fun to hang out with a toddler in a place he is unfamiliar sans support.
I'm ready for winter to be over. Ready for the flowers and slightly warmer weather. It's just cool enough most days that walks are not great for Bennett. The past two winters had warmer spells and I guess I got a little bit spoiled. The spring is so beautiful here. I can't wait.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
We are getting very close to Phoenix. My mom had considerable trouble getting her plane tickets through Allegiant. First she was coming, then she wasn't and was never going to deal with them again, and now she has her tickets and will be arriving the same day we are. We are all going to stay with Bernie's parents which is about 15 minutes from the sister-in-law and family. I'm excited to get in a game of golf and of course do some shopping. Bernie is looking forward to seafood on his birthday. I'm going to get Bennett a couple of new toys/books for the plane. Hopefully those and a few snacks will keep him occupied for a couple of hours.
The boy loves books. He spends a good amount of his day just flipping through them and babbling. There are four of them that he likes to have read to him. It's amazing how long his attention span is when we read them. He can sit for a good 20 minutes at least.
I had my first private viola lesson last Friday. I wasn't nervous, more excited. It felt really great to have it out again with goals in mind. It's so difficult to motivate for practice when I don't have any direction or goals. I thought that one of two things would happen. Either he would think that I was crazy and there was no chance of making the symphony or I would be able to do it. It was the latter. He actually told me that he was excited because I am his most advanced student (he teaches mostly middle and high school kids). I'm getting to work right away on the Bach cello suites. I've always wanted to get them right.
I've wanted to be part of a book club for some time but haven't tracked one down that felt right. Instead, I talked with the lady who runs the mom's group and offered to host a regular one at my house. The first one is in mid-February. All kind of excitement around here.
Bennett has started to say a couple of recognizable words in the past couple of days. His favorite is duck. The bathtub spout has a duck that covers it. When he gets in for his bath, he stands at it and screeches duck a few times with a big smile on his face. It's very cute. He is also saying something resembling ball. Today he started using his walker to actually walk across the room. It's seems to be something new every day. I have a feeling he and Grant will be quite the duo in Arizona.
Bernie has to travel to Greeley all week to teach a fire weather class. I don't miss that drive as a regular part of my schedule at all. Have fun honey!
I ordered myself the new Beatles box set with some of my Christmas money. I'm not so patiently awaiting it so I can get my Itunes back in order. I already got my new set of measuring cups (got the stainless steel ones...let's see those numbers try to rub off now!) and the Mario wii game. Bernie and I are playing cooperatively and it is a bit addicting.
The boy loves books. He spends a good amount of his day just flipping through them and babbling. There are four of them that he likes to have read to him. It's amazing how long his attention span is when we read them. He can sit for a good 20 minutes at least.
I had my first private viola lesson last Friday. I wasn't nervous, more excited. It felt really great to have it out again with goals in mind. It's so difficult to motivate for practice when I don't have any direction or goals. I thought that one of two things would happen. Either he would think that I was crazy and there was no chance of making the symphony or I would be able to do it. It was the latter. He actually told me that he was excited because I am his most advanced student (he teaches mostly middle and high school kids). I'm getting to work right away on the Bach cello suites. I've always wanted to get them right.
I've wanted to be part of a book club for some time but haven't tracked one down that felt right. Instead, I talked with the lady who runs the mom's group and offered to host a regular one at my house. The first one is in mid-February. All kind of excitement around here.
Bennett has started to say a couple of recognizable words in the past couple of days. His favorite is duck. The bathtub spout has a duck that covers it. When he gets in for his bath, he stands at it and screeches duck a few times with a big smile on his face. It's very cute. He is also saying something resembling ball. Today he started using his walker to actually walk across the room. It's seems to be something new every day. I have a feeling he and Grant will be quite the duo in Arizona.
Bernie has to travel to Greeley all week to teach a fire weather class. I don't miss that drive as a regular part of my schedule at all. Have fun honey!
I ordered myself the new Beatles box set with some of my Christmas money. I'm not so patiently awaiting it so I can get my Itunes back in order. I already got my new set of measuring cups (got the stainless steel ones...let's see those numbers try to rub off now!) and the Mario wii game. Bernie and I are playing cooperatively and it is a bit addicting.
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