Day 64 - Saturday April 10, 1998
Mom spent most of the day with Summer. Dad stayed at home and tried to catch up on a large number of projects. Things at the NICU are going well. Today they are considering switching Summer over to 100% breast milk. It will be important to see how Summer nurses and gains weight as a result of the switch. If the breast milk does not contain enough calories they will pump it up with some rice and lamb mix. (Sounds like puppy chow). Later in the evening Mom and Dad attend the DC United game at RFK stadium. Mom loved it. United defeated the Colorado Rapids in a shoot out. Final score 3-3 RT 2-3 SO.
Day 65 - Sunday April 11, 1998 - Easter Sunday
Mom and Dad attend services and learn that Jesus truly was more than a carpenter. All of our love and praise go to the one who died and has risen. The one who has given Summer life and given her to us. Mom, Dad, and Dad’s parents visit with Summer on this special day. Since Easter is such a special day in the lives of Christians I thought it would be appropriate to reach out through the life of Summer to ask those of you who have been following her story if you truly believe in Jesus ? Do you know that he died for our sins? Do you believe he is the son of God seated in heaven at God’s right hand? Do you believe that 2000 years ago he walked on this very earth? Do you believe that he lived and died and was resurrected? As Christians we must believe this? We have been praying hard for Summer since the moment she was born. Many, many people have been praying for Summer as well. Since Summer is in such good shape I sometimes think Summer didn’t need so many prayers. But I stop myself and remember, would Summer be in such good shape without the prayers? When prayers are working and things are going well it’s easy to dismiss them since no one miracle occurred that we can point to. But as we look back over the past two months a long list of miracles were necessary in order to bring Summer to where she is now. God has answered our prayers. If you believe God had a hand in this say, “Amen”. If you believe our Lord has been watching over Summer and is using her story to enter your life, consider asking him in. Josh McDowell in his book, "More than a Carpenter" asks us to pray this simple prayer in order to open the door. “Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Forgive me and cleanse me. Right this moment I trust you as my Savior and Lord. Make me the type of person you created me to be. In Christ name. Amen”.
Day 66 - Monday April 12, 1998
Summer is not gaining weight so the Docs are definitely switching to the rice and lamb additives to the breast milk. We will see how that goes. Mom is nursing Summer twice a day. Summer expends a lot of energy nursing so this also burns calories. To prevent nipple confusion, feedings that are not at the breast are gavage. This way we are sure she is getting the nutrition as well. Summer also had an eye test on Sunday night. When the retractors were placed in Summer’s eyes she cried out very loudly. Mom and Dad heard her loud crys for the first time. Ahn says she can’t look at the babies with the retractors in their eyes. It’s too sad. But Summer’s eyes are doing well. Still immature but no signs of ROP. Retinopathy of Prematurity is a condition where the blood vessel in the eye develop abnormally. The vessels which should be growing outward towards the retina curl back and grow towards the center of the eye. Summer has no sign of this condition but is still immature. She will be monitored closely for the development of this condition. One theory about the cause of this eye damage in increase in oxygen saturation. This is why the Summer’s oxygen saturation is monitored so closely.
Day 67 - Tuesday April 13, 1998
Today the Docs told Lisa that Summer will be able to come home within 3 to 4 weeks. Wow! That’s really coming quick. Before than Dad has a lot of mental preparation to do. Breast feeding are going well. The nurses say Summer is doing a good job. Her weight is back on the rise. They continue to gavage feed in between nursing sessions. Summer is averaging about 1 A & B per day. This is great. To go home without a monitor though she will have to demonstrate no As & Bs for over two weeks. More good news today, the Docs think Summer will be moving out of the isolette and into an open crib soon.
Day 68 - Wednesday April 14, 1998
Things are running smooth. Summer gained weight again. Mom is still on two shifts per day and pumping in between. Mom and Dad both went up to the NICU for the 8:30pm feeding. Dad shot some video and took pictures while mom nursed and burped Summer. The nursing staff seems to leave us completely alone with Summer. Mom demonstates complete knowledge of how to handle Summer’s care. We talk briefly of the days prior to bringing Summer home. The NICU is set up so that the parents can spend the night or a couple of nights caring completely for their baby alone. That way they will not be so scared making it through the night. Mom and Dad look forward to spending the night in the NICU. Dad needs to notify work that he will be taking a week off when Summer comes home. This will now be very soon.
Day 69 - Thursday April 15, 1998
Mom goes in to nurse Summer at 2:30 and again at 8:30. Dad has class tonight. In class Dad gets his mid-term exam returned. Dad scored a 94 and was really happy considering how much neglect his class has received this semester. He goes to the NICU after class to tell Summer the good news. Summer was happy and said, “You are really smart daddy, but you still paid to much for that camcorder.” Dad rushes home to watch Seinfeld and doesn’t over lap with mom when she returns for the 8:30 feeding. Mom reports that Summer did very well with the feeding. Mom stays for a long time and has some long conversations with Dr. Z about what we can expect when Summer comes home with us. Mom thinks Dad will be over protective of Summer and tells Dad to make sure he talks with Dr. Z.
Day 70 - Friday April 16, 1998
Dad met mom in the NICU after work to take some pictures and shoot some video for mom to take with her to her baby shower over the weekend. Dad has been working all week at reducing 10 hours of video into a short 30 min vhs format mom can show at the shower. The final minutes will be the most up to date shots available. Summer is eating and mom is holding her when Dad arrives. Dad begins shooting video, taking pictures with the 35mm, and snapping a few poleroids. With all the flash and auto winding going on, Summer thinks she is at a press conference and begins answering questions. Well maybe not yet. Summer is 3 lbs 14 ½ oz today. She is knocking at the 4 lbs door. Hopefully by Monday she will have crossed the threshold.
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