November 22, 1997

Dear Family & Friends,

As Amanda has just passed her third month birthday here in the Mass General NICU, we are very happy to report that she seems to have "turned the big corner" in her development. Much of the last month has been frustrating for us as her weight seemed to plateau, she fought one infection after another, and then, we found that she needed laser eye surgery to correct a retinal condition. But after getting through that surgery with flying colors, she "convinced" her doctors to finally take out her respiratory breathing tube and give her another try at breathing on her own, starting last Monday the 17th. Since then, she has done remarkably well on just "blow-by" air from a nasal canula, breathing comfortably with lower and lower oxygen setttings and flow (now down from 500cc to 25cc per minute), and most importantly, continuing to put on good weight gain. At 3 1/2 pounds now, she has now doubled her original birth weight and a homecoming by Christmas seems a little more in the realm of possibility for us -- although only more time will tell.

Amanda has also gotten to have a lot more fun this month, moving from isolette to crib, enjoying her first bath, having more time in the swing and the bouncy, more time in Mom and Dad's arms, feeding a little from bottle or breast, and even hanging out with the nurses in their rocking chair circle.

A number of you have been nice enough to check in with our frequent updates and cute 'Manda pictures on her web page at http://world.std.com/~eshu/amanda.htm but for those of you without web access, we are printing below the updates that we have posted to that page this month.

Thanksgiving has always been a very special holiday to us, and this Thanksgiving will be no different. Instead of our usual hosting of a houseful of people, we will instead be dining quietly near the hospital but still most grateful for this most precious blessing from God, the beautiful life and health of our daughter, Amanda Grace. Again, as always, we will be eternally grateful for your many, many kind thoughts and prayers that we know have helped her immeasurably during this difficult time to gain strength and health.

November 18 Update: DING, DONG, THE TUBE IS GONE, THE TUBE IS GONE! We are happy to report on Amanda's 3-month birthday that yesterday she was extubated and appears to be doing very well OFF the respirator. She seems to be very comfortable with only the nasal canula providing "blow-by" air at 30% oxygenation (room air is 21%). We have even heard her cry for the first time, which has simultaneously been a good news/bad news feeling as you might imagine. So far, however, she just seems to be exercising her vocal cords. She even gained 40 grams today which we hope means that with the tube gone, she is not expending too much energy fighting the tube nor in doing the work of breathing -- so keep your fingers crossed and prayers still going up as we hope this is Amanda turning a big corner in her development.

November 13 Update: Amanda got her first bath today & she loved it!

Come see the baby in her bath, Hear her coo and crow and laugh. Ah, she love it soft and warm Creeping up her little form. But she doesn't shed a tear, For our baby has no fear, Only looks a bit surprised, As she rubs her drowned eyes. She loves her bath, you'll all agree, If you only come and see. - Sarah Jane S. Harrington

November 11 Update: Today Amanda moves into a new crib! Yes, literally -- Amanda gets to leave her isolette plastic box behind today for an open crib. Yesterday, Nurse Debbie took her out to play (well, sleep) in a swing. So Amanda is starting to get to have a little more fun! Now all she has to do is get rid of her tube . . .

November 9 Update: We are very relieved to report that Amanda sailed through her eye surgery with flying colors and has recovered very quickly from the effects of the general anesthesia. Our eye surgeon, Dr. Sang, tells us that her followup check showed that the surgery looks to be a complete success!

November 7 Update: Today, Amanda is scheduled for laser eye surgery today at noon to correct her Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). The procedure is considered low risk in itself, but the biggest risk will be her ability to tolerate general anesthesia. We would appreciate your prayers and thoughts for her continued health through this added stress.

November 3 Update: this has been an up and down week for Amanda as she is fighting a sinus infection and trying to get used to a new nasal breathing tube (yup, she pulled out her other breathing tube last week right after she made some big weight gains.) Unfortunately, the roller-coaster ride of a "premie" is taking another dip as it looks like Amanda made need eye surgery soon for a condition known a "Retinopathy" or detaching of the retinas, which they think is due to prolonged or high variability of oxygenation during respiratory therapy. She has been tantalizing us all this week as she threatens to break the 3 lb. mark. We are hoping to hold her on a more regular basis, as we have noticed that she does tend to gain weight on those days we get to hold her. Although it is easy to get discouraged, it is Amanda and the joy she brings to us when she smiles or laughs or opens up her beautiful eyes that keeps us going when the going gets rough. She knows our voices and smiles at us whenever we visit. If she can laugh and smile in her present situation, just think of what a happy baby she will be when she comes home and is constantly surrounded by her parents' love and the love of the many other people who are reading this web page and following her progress.

To read Amanda's update at Month 4 (1/1/98) Click Here

To read Amanda's update at Month 2 (10/20/97) Click Here

To read Amanda's update at Month 1 (9/20/97) Click Here

To read about Noah & Melanie, Click Here: Triplets (8/19/97 & 9/1/97)

To go back to Amanda's main page New Year (1/4/98) Click Here