Television Star in the Making

Well for those of you who didn't catch the news on A-Channel in London last night........our little Addison became a TV and Newspaper Star. Mom and dad got interviewed for a new educational program on Shaken Baby Syndrome for new parents and the TV crew wanted to film little Addy for the news clip. She was an absolute star and was wide awake for the cameras and the world to see. She was donning an adorable puppy dog sleeper which was perfect with little paw prints on her feet. She also made page 3 in the London Free Press with a large pic of her holding on to mommy's finger and just looking adorable for the cameras. Only 63 days old and she is already making the "big time". Rumour is she may actually make national TV next week if Global TV comes down from Toronto and films mom and dad again. We will keep you all posted through Addison's agent; Uncle Les Penner!!! Ha Ha.

This was great as Addison actually had a tough week this week with her oxygen, though she managed to get better for yesterday's filming. Mom and dad had noticed that Addison had seemed a little sluggish and different over the last 4 days, and they were getting quite concerned. Addison was really struggling with her oxygen and saturation levels since the weekend and ended up having a horrible day on Wednesday. She went brachycardic several times, with one very profound episode where it took her some time to start breathing normal again even with assistance of a bag and mask. Addison had been weighed on Tuesday evening and had put on a significant weight gain that concerned the doctors. They believed that she was possibly retaining a lot fluids though you could not see it her tissue. They believed that this obviously meant the fluid was in her lungs. They perscribed Addison with a fluid releasing drug called Lasex, which she thankfully responded to beautifully. Addison began to pee a significant amount of fluid out of her body overnight and into Wednesday, causing the significant change in her behaviour. Not only was she very awake and active, she managed very well with her oxygen and actually went down in pressure while she saturated beautifully with minimal spells. Doctors have now prescribed her a diuretic drug called Aldactazide; which she will take everyday over the next week. This will help her expel the extra fluids in her lungs and assist her with breathing which she really has been struggling with. Nurses advised that she may actually lose some weight as a result, but that it is good weight loss because she is getting rid of all the fluids. We hope that this will assist Addison to come down on her level and pressures of oxygen even further on her respirator, as she needs to come down to Low Flow Oxygen or lower for optimal scenarios to attempt breast or bottle feeding. Dad and mom actually got a good look at Addison's latest chest xray and the doctors say that her lungs look well developped. If you look closely in the pic the little line on her right side along her spine (jsut below the circle lead) that glows a little is the Titanium Clip they used to close the PDA valve during her heart surgery. Pretty neat!!!

On Tuesday Addison also had her first set of immunization shots. We couldn't believe that it was already that time. This was a hard thought over decision by both mommy and daddy and after a lot of research and questions on daddy's part Addison received two needles. One in each leg (on the meaty part) and daddy was there to see her through it. Addison did really well and with the assistance of some tylenol for the pain, she managed with some minimal crying. The two shots were immunizing for Pertussis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio and Infant Haemorphilus type B. Pertussis; other wise known as whooping cough, may cause serious complications for babies of this size if contracted. Diphtheria is a disease of the nose, throat and skin, killing 1 out of every 10 who gets the disease. Tetanus or lock jaw is a serious disease that can be found in almost anything that a baby or child may come in contact. Even as adults we still get this vaccination. Polio is a dangerous disease you can contract through eating and drinking anything containting the germ, which can cause nerve damage, paralysis or even death. Haemophilus influenzae type B is known to most as meningitis, which is a serious infection that affects the fluid and lining that covers the brain and spinal cord. After weighing all of the options and realizing the serious side effects for Addison if she contracted one of these diseases, we opted to have the immunizations done.

Tuesday night was also bath night and weigh in and Addison is now coming in at 1845 g or 4 lbs and 2 ozs (corrected after her loss of fluids). With this weight gain Addison was able to move to a "big girl crib" and out of her isolet. This was so exciting!!!! At 1800 g the babies born prematurely should be able to regulate their own body temperature, thus be able to be out and sleeping in room temperature environments. Addison has been able to regulate her temp for some time, as the nurses always had her temp turned down to the lowest possible in her isolet as she was always such hot stuff. As soon as she Nurse Kathy found she weighed in, away went the isolet and in came Addison's new bed. This is absolutely wonderful as mommy and daddy are now able to see Addy out and about and not have to reach in through the isolet portals to talk to her or touch her little hands. She can now have her wonderful "Sleep Sheep" at bedside from Sean and Eleni to hear wonderful sounds like whales and rainfalls as opposed to all the beeping and ringing alarms. Daddy got right in there and layed his head down beside little Addy and said a big hello. Sooooo cute!!!!

On Wednesday Addison also had her eyes rechecked and the doctors found that Addison's eyes have remained the same at a Stage One and Level Two. They observed no significant change, which they seem pleased with. The doctors do stay on top of this though and Addy will probably have her eyes checked again within the next two weeks, especially because of the upcoming holidays. Although the exam is horrible for the babies, we are glad this is done to be preventative for any possible problems found with her eyes. On top of that Addy also had a head ultrasound yesterday to check for any brain bleeds and she continues to remain clear of them at this time. A huge relief as that is always a big exam for mom and dad to wait on the results.

We truly are amazed at this little wonder and how she has come so far in her last two months. Though we still have a long road ahead we know in our hearts that we will have our little girl home with us to spoil and love in the New Year. All the best to everyone for the holiday season and may god bless you all with a very prosperous and Happy New Year~~~~~ Happy Holidays from the Stanbras.