Rowan Elyas Fowler was born December 10th, 2011 at 11:45 pm after a short 5 and 1/2 hours of labor. He weighed 9 lbs and 3 oz. and measures 22 inches long.
After he was born, they took him out of the room to clean him off and weigh him. His APGAR scores were 8 and 8. He looks soooo normal! He's beautiful and looks like his sister..but manlier. He doesn't have eyelashes that stick out five inches, and he has a stockier build. He cried as soon as he was born and has been doing fantastic. I got to hold him to say Happy Birthday and goodbye before he was taken to the NICU.
His vitals have looked great. The cardiologist has seen him twice and they are mapping out the best options to discuss with his committee on Friday. They have started him on a low dose of prostaglandins just as a precaution. This medicine has some potential side effects, but makes sure that his blood continues mixing well so he gets enough oxygen. So far, no side effects! His sats are staying between 85 and 95 which is perfect and all of his other vitals look awesome. It's hard not being able to hold him, but I've seen him twice and I can hold his hand.
He will be here in the hospital for a few weeks at least. There is basically no way he'll be home for Christmas. Odds are, he will need a surgery next week, but the extent of that surgery won't be something we know for a while.
For now...he's doing well. That's my focus. When he's not doing well anymore, I'll worry about it.
Our son, Rowan, was born with Congenital Heart Disease and later diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. He had 2 open heart surgeries, 5 heart caths, and 2 additional surgeries. Realizing that despite fighting for him, Rowan was never going to get better and that he was hurting, we made the decision to change our fight from a long life, to a beautiful end to it. Hospice was a true gift and a beautiful time for our family. We said goodbye to our son when he was 7 months old.
Thank you for the update. I'm sad to hear he won't be home for Christmas, but I know you guys will pull together to give him the best first Christmas he can possibly have in the hospital. I hope you also take a little time for yourself to enjoy your Christmas. I know it won't be easy. He's a fighter, Michelle, that's for sure! I can't wait for more pictures and news on his progress.
ReplyDeleteHE is adorable! Congrats and good luck. My thoughts, prayers and best wishes are for you constantly. He must be a fighter if he is anything like his mother. Plus this 9lbs and coming out on his own terms, speaks highly of his will and character already.
ReplyDeleteSending lots of love your way!
Mollie and Brady