Harry Chapin's Song, "Cat's in the Cradle" went to number 1 in 1974. Harry Chapin died, in 1981. When I placed the lyrics to his song in this blog in 1998 the song was firmly in the Oldie but Goodie category, a timeless ballad to parents and the on-ward march of generations that I prayed would not pass Lisa and I by. Now another 16 years later and we were not passed us by. Summer is taking Driver's Ed classes and the mantle (or our car keys) is about to be passed to her generation. The "Cat's in the Cradle" remains a timeless ballad. Try not to cry.
Day 44 & 45
The NICU was quiet and we were able to conduct an interview with Alison one of the nurses. Summer was sleeping soundly and barely stirred. Although she did stretch out her longs legs from time to time.
Day 46 & 47
Summer continues to gain weight like a little domestic pig. Mom visits Summer and holds her for over an hour. Everyone is beginning to think Summer looks just like her Dad, including Mom. She is stable most of the day and only has a few As & Bs after she eats. Her feeding has been increased to 25 cc’s every 3 hours.
Day 48 & Day 49
Mom and Dad head to the hospital early. As they walk into the Hospital Dad is glad Mom found out about the situation last night. Dr. Z greets them and explains the situation. There is nothing that can be done. [note: there is no record of the this situation in my notes] Summer is doing well and all indications are that she will continue to do so. The doctors decide it is time again to take Summer off of the CPAP and allow her to try it alone. She responds well to just the nasal canula. Hopefully we would not be seeing that CPAP again.
Day 50 & 51
The kite festival is getting under way in D.C. down on the Mall. Mom and Dad were originally scheduled to go but the events from Friday are force them to head in to speak with the Doctors. Summer is doing well without the CPAP. She is happy and moving her head from side to side - free from that uncomfortable device. Mom heads in and stays most of the day. Summer has a good day and again avoids most of the As & Bs except for a few dips. She gained another ounce during the day. After the trip to the Hospital Mom and Dad drive down to the Mall to see the kites and the cherry blossoms. The kites are not that exciting but the Cherry Blossoms are awesome.
Day 52 & 53
Game 2 - D.C. United the New England Revolution. Dad is excited about going this evening. Today Summer was visited by the Ophthalmologist. This is Summer’s first eye exam. The doctor notes vascular immaturity in Summer’s eyes, but this is to be expected. The eye doc will revisit in 2 weeks to se how Summer is progressing. Mom and Dad head for Church and then over to the Hospital. Summer is happy to see them. She shows this by smiling and moving. Mom holds her for over an hour. During this hour Mom feeds her a full 24 cc’s of formula through the gavage tube and Dad takes great videos. Summer is doing well with only the nasal canula. Only a few dips in her Oxygen Sats and her breathing throughout the day. She pulls herself out of most of them. Summer is gaining weight almost everyday now.
Day 53 & 54
The Paula Jones law suit against Bill Clinton is dismissed by a Little Rock Judge. The Nation wonders if it is an elaborate April Fool’s joke. Can’t wait to catch the G. Gordon Liddy Show tomorrow. Severe thunder storms today. Dad and mom begin to wonder if the redundant power supplies at the hospital would be put to the test. Today Summer’s As & Bs increased a little. Dr. Z ordered a chest x-ray to see if there was any fluid in her lungs. Fluid could occur for two reasons. First Summer is retaining water. She is already on a diuretic to help reduce this. Second, Summer could be aspirating - formula in her stomach refluxing in her throat and then slipping back down her trachea into her lungs. The x-ray showed no signs of this. Dr. Z. ordered another blood transfusion. It has been about 4 weeks so Summer could definitely use the help. The transfusion does help. Summer’s is resting nicely through all the Thunder storms. And the power never goes out. Mom and dad are relieved.
Day 55 & 56
Dad and mom head up to the NICU late Thursday night. They stare through the clear lexan of the isolete hoping that somehow Summer will understand their love. Tomorrow Dad will be boarding an airplane for Florida to attend a family reunion and he will not see her again until late Sunday night. Mom will not be leaving Summer's side. The tickets were purchased long before Summer’s surprise arrival and although all of the family members would understand if Dad decided to stay home, Summer is in such great shape it seems that missing a few days would be better than missing these important family gatherings. The the decision was tough but Dad decides to go. Mom is staying close in case any problems surface - and of course - Dad will stay in close contact and rocket home should they arise. As Dad continues to stare at Summer one of Summer’s Alternate Primary Nurses - Cathy - approaches and asks Dad if he has held her yet? He sheepishly replies that he held her once about four weeks ago for five minutes when they changed isoletes. “Well we will change that right now” was Cathy’s reply. Cathy sat Dad in the glider rocker next to the isolete, reached into the isolete and snatched up Summer in a ball of blankets and deposited her into her Father’s arms. Summer opened her eyes, looked up at him, and yawned. Wow! Summer has changed considerably since he held her at 1 lbs 9 ounces. Now she is just turned 3 lbs. There is something in the blankets, he can feel her back, he can feel her breathing, he can hear the small little sounds she makes. Dad holds her for almost an hour just staring down and talking to her. Cathy takes some polaroids to capture the moment. At this moment Dad can’t justify the trip to the family reunion and has this strong feelings that upon his return Summer will be grown an ready to leave for college - But Dad’s Dad will be at the family reunion and it will be nice to spend some time with him as well - or maybe Dad is just letting that old “Cat’s in the Cradle Song” screw up his ability to think clearly.
My child arrived just the other day
She came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
She learned to walk while I was away
And she was talking before I knew it
and as she grew she’d say
I’m gonna be like him
You know I'm gonna be like him
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you coming home dad - I don’t know when
But we will get together then
You know well have a good time then.
My daughter turned ten just the other day
She said thanks for the ball (soccer) Dad come on lets play
Can you teach me to throw (Kick) I said not today
I’ve got a lot to do she said, “That’s Ok”
And as she walked away her smile never dimmed
She said I’m gonna be like him
I’m gonna be a lot like him
Well she came from college just he other day
So much like a women I just had to say
Girl I’m proud of you could you sit for awhile
She shook her head and said with a smile
What I’d really like Dad is to borrow the car keys
See you later can I have them please.
I’ve long since retired and my girl’s moved away
I called her up just the other day
I said I’d like to see you if you don’t mind
She said I’d love to Dad if I could find the time
You see my new jobs a hassle and the Kids got the flu
But it been sure nice talking to you Dad
It’s been sure nice talking to you
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
My girl was just like me
She’d grown up just like me
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you coming home dad - I don’t know when
But we will get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then.
As the hour came to a close we said a prayer with Summer and told her we loved her.
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