Life after the NICU
/The long awaited day. The day I prayed and hoped for is finally here. The day I get to bring my newborn baby home from the NICU and escape these cold, dark hospital walls. I almost didn't believe the nurse when she told me the doctor was thinking of discharging Jacob. I never thought this day would come!
For all you parents who have spent time in the NICU, I applaud you. It is not an easy experience nor one I wish on any new parent. Every parenting magazine and every mommy book prepares you for everything except what to expect when your baby is hooked up to wires in the NICU and you are anxiously waiting for test result after test result. Watching the clock tick on, knowing the doctors are going home soon, and another day of no news, no change. As your heart is on the table with your newborn babe, watching him breath, watching him cry, and longing to just hold him without a multitude of wires. I commend you for your strength. I applaud you for still smirking a half-smile at the random NICU visitor walking by. I praise you for responding to just one phone call or text message, even though at times, it's the hardest thing to do as it reminds you there is still no update, which means another day of anxiously waiting. Although days feels like weeks, and weeks feel like years, your day will come when you get to take home your baby.
And today was our day! A couple days after the New Year 2014!
Even though I was beyond excited to be bringing Jacob home. The next few days that followed were stressful and emotional when the reality hit that there were no nurses or doctors around to check on Jacob. There were no monitors beeping when something went wrong. I was constantly worried, constantly checking his vitals, and praying that I wouldn't miss another hypoglycemic episode as we had earlier. Jacob was just skin and bone when we brought him home. He had lost weight from not eating due to his large tongue, and the direct orders from the doctor were if he didn't gain weight, he would be classified as "failure to thrive" and would be admitted back to the hospital. There was no way I was going back, so I frantically followed every instruction. One of which included waking him around the clock to feed him every 3 hours, and making sure he took at least 70 ml within 30 minutes. This was next to impossible as it often took him over an hour to eat just 60 ml. It took every ounce of strength I had to not break down during those feeds. I was emotionally exhausted. But, time continued on, feedings became easier, and before I knew it, Jacob was taking full bottles effortlessly by 2 months old. He still choked and gagged during feeds, which we discovered was due to his large tongue, but he has come so far and we are so proud of him.
I tried breastfeeding a few times, but with Jacob's large tongue, it was very difficult to get him to latch. I was also preoccupied with monitoring the amount of milk he was consuming. A part of me wishes I had tried harder to get him to breastfeed, even though at the time, it was the last thing on my mind. So I continued to pump and eventually figured out that pumping while feeding Jacob next to me on his boppy pillow was a real time saver!
The last feedings in the NICU
Daddy hugs
We are going home!
Jacob's lost weight and needs extra feedings.
Mommy is happy she finally gets to hold me in her arms without all the wires.
Celebrating Christmas in January
My Visitors
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Recipes and Holistic Remedies for Cancer Prevention
The big "C" word has really been on my mind lately. As a parent, we worry constantly about our children, who doesn’t, but when you have to take your child in to check for cancer every 6 weeks, it is both mentally and emotionally exhausting.
We do a blood draw every 6 weeks, meet with his oncologist, and then we hold our breath and wait for the results. Every other 6 week appointment, they also do an abdomen ultrasound to check for tumors in his organs. It seems every time we get past the big “C” scare, with clear test results, we are headed right back to the hospital for the next round of appointments. It is a constant battle to stay positive and an emotional rollercoaster of ups and downs. Some days are easier than others, and some days I break down in tears and ask God, “Why?”. I may never know the answer or see His greater work in all this, but the only way I’ve been able to come to terms with the fact that he has a high risk for cancer is to try to do what I can at home to help lessen that risk. It is the only way I’ve been able to stay somewhat sane, and the key word is somewhat. I don’t think the fear will ever go away, but at least I feel a little more empowered over his health and the rest I have to just leave in God’s hands.
In this blog you will find all sorts of holistic remedies that I’ve found through my research, which MAY help with cancer prevention. I do not claim that any of these resources are in fact cancer preventing, but it can’t hurt to eat a healthy balanced diet and to incorporate food, herbs, and essential oils in our daily routine. I hope you discover recipes and holistic remedies that will give you strength when facing cancer.
Disclaimer: I do not claim that any of these recipes and holistic remedies are in fact cancer preventing or cancer healing. Please check with your child’s pediatrician before trying any new treatment or diet.
