Many heartfelt thanks...
I cannot begin to express to everyone how much we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love, prayers, and support we have been receiving since Hailey Rosina Hunt made her way into this world. I have been crying all morning reading the posts (which is making it kinda hard to type...lol). I haven't even been on OH in so long and have been so out of touch...so the support we're receiving has been extraordinary and we love all of you for it!!
Hailey was born at 6:43 pm on 9/7/09 at 8 lbs 3 oz., only four days before her due date. During labor, her heartrate had been going down with a lot of my contractions. I was at 8 centimeters when all of a sudden her heartrate disappeared. Within 15 minutes I was having an emergency c-section. It was the scariest time of my life. I never heard her cry, and she was wisked out of the operating room before I even saw her. They told us that she had been born without a heartbeat and not breathing, and was without oxygen for at least 15 minutes. The condition is called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and may cause death, or may result in what is later recognized as developmental delay, mental retardation, or cerebral palsy. They wanted our permission to send her to Jefferson for something called Head Cooling. It's a fairly new procedure that slows down and may reverse the effects of any brain damage caused by the lack of oxygen. Jefferson is the only hospital in the area that does this. She was on this therapy for 72 hours. She tolerated it well, but continued to have seizures, so they put her on a more extensive visual EEG for 48 hours. This EEG showed some questionable activity so they are now doing another one for 72 hours. They put this on her last night, so it's going to be a long weekend. She is still on two anti-seizure meds and antibiotics. They tried feeding her some breastmilk (pumping is just SO much fun...lol) but she had some bilius in her belly so they stopped that. They may try to feed her again today if her stomach has improved. I held her for the first time on Thursday...it was awesome but bittersweet...I didn't want to let her go. I held her again yesterday before they put the EEG back on. We can't hold her while she's on that so it's gonna be a long 72 hours. I finally got to change her diaper yesterday, too.
We had a bit of a scare last night...the hospital called us at 11:30pm to tell us she had a fever of 101.5. I talked to the nurse this morning and the fever is gone...they have no idea what it was from, but she's already on antibiotics so they weren't too worried. Anyway, she's been off the ventilator now for 39 hours...and is doing very well on just a nasal cannula this time. She still has a lot of "junk" (congestion) in her lungs but has been able to start coughing it up. She's making noises now and almost cries...it's great to hear normal baby sounds finally!! She is my angel.
So...now they are just monitoring her seizure activity and we'll go from there. They will probably do an MRI after this latest EEG is over. Anything they can tell us now, however, will be no indication of how she will be 1 or 2 years from now. This is going to be a very long road so we can certainly use all of the thoughts and prayers you all are willing to give!!
I will try to post regular updates as often as I can. Russ, Hailey and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts...you are an amazing group of people and we love you!!
Hailey was born at 6:43 pm on 9/7/09 at 8 lbs 3 oz., only four days before her due date. During labor, her heartrate had been going down with a lot of my contractions. I was at 8 centimeters when all of a sudden her heartrate disappeared. Within 15 minutes I was having an emergency c-section. It was the scariest time of my life. I never heard her cry, and she was wisked out of the operating room before I even saw her. They told us that she had been born without a heartbeat and not breathing, and was without oxygen for at least 15 minutes. The condition is called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and may cause death, or may result in what is later recognized as developmental delay, mental retardation, or cerebral palsy. They wanted our permission to send her to Jefferson for something called Head Cooling. It's a fairly new procedure that slows down and may reverse the effects of any brain damage caused by the lack of oxygen. Jefferson is the only hospital in the area that does this. She was on this therapy for 72 hours. She tolerated it well, but continued to have seizures, so they put her on a more extensive visual EEG for 48 hours. This EEG showed some questionable activity so they are now doing another one for 72 hours. They put this on her last night, so it's going to be a long weekend. She is still on two anti-seizure meds and antibiotics. They tried feeding her some breastmilk (pumping is just SO much fun...lol) but she had some bilius in her belly so they stopped that. They may try to feed her again today if her stomach has improved. I held her for the first time on Thursday...it was awesome but bittersweet...I didn't want to let her go. I held her again yesterday before they put the EEG back on. We can't hold her while she's on that so it's gonna be a long 72 hours. I finally got to change her diaper yesterday, too.
We had a bit of a scare last night...the hospital called us at 11:30pm to tell us she had a fever of 101.5. I talked to the nurse this morning and the fever is gone...they have no idea what it was from, but she's already on antibiotics so they weren't too worried. Anyway, she's been off the ventilator now for 39 hours...and is doing very well on just a nasal cannula this time. She still has a lot of "junk" (congestion) in her lungs but has been able to start coughing it up. She's making noises now and almost cries...it's great to hear normal baby sounds finally!! She is my angel.
So...now they are just monitoring her seizure activity and we'll go from there. They will probably do an MRI after this latest EEG is over. Anything they can tell us now, however, will be no indication of how she will be 1 or 2 years from now. This is going to be a very long road so we can certainly use all of the thoughts and prayers you all are willing to give!!
I will try to post regular updates as often as I can. Russ, Hailey and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts...you are an amazing group of people and we love you!!
Lisa H.
I don't know you and your family personally. But my heart goes out to you. Just having a baby a few months ago myself, I can't imagine the stress and fear you guys must constantly be going through.
I have been praying and she sounds like such a tough little girl. I have no doubt she will come along just fine and be home with you guys before long.
Thanks for the update. Give her lots of kisses and tell her that even strangers are praying and rooting for her.
God Bless,
I have been praying and she sounds like such a tough little girl. I have no doubt she will come along just fine and be home with you guys before long.
Thanks for the update. Give her lots of kisses and tell her that even strangers are praying and rooting for her.
God Bless,
When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila & salt and give me a call!
Lisa - I cried the night Shauna called to tell me and i am crying now reading your update. SHe has come so far and is going to do great. You have the BEST group of prayers working overtime for you here!!
*hugs* and love you you, Russ and your beautiful Angel Hailey. Can't wait until we all get to meet her!!
*hugs* and love you you, Russ and your beautiful Angel Hailey. Can't wait until we all get to meet her!!
Lisa, I continue to pray for nothing but the best for you, Russ and your adorable daughter. She is obviously a fighter as are you. Please keep us informed on how everything is going. The power of prayer is incredible.
"No matter how hard life may get, no matter how many curveballs you are thrown, keep in mind, if you want to succeed - QUITTING IS NOT AN OPTION"!!!
Hi Lisa,
your daughter is a fighter and she is as strong as you are. Zahra put her on the prayer chain at Church .
SHE IS JUST BEAUTIFUL, with all that hair and full face not all babies are beautiful so believe me when I say that Hailey is.
I hope these 72 hrs go by fast for you so you can hold your baby again soon. I hope she keeps SUCCESSING. keep us updated and the pictures coming you bring me down to tears
LOVE YA SUSAN
your daughter is a fighter and she is as strong as you are. Zahra put her on the prayer chain at Church .
SHE IS JUST BEAUTIFUL, with all that hair and full face not all babies are beautiful so believe me when I say that Hailey is.
I hope these 72 hrs go by fast for you so you can hold your baby again soon. I hope she keeps SUCCESSING. keep us updated and the pictures coming you bring me down to tears
LOVE YA SUSAN
I just saw Hailey's pics, and she is such a little angel. I continue to pray for her.
Hugs,
Trish
Hugs,
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Most Active
Recent Topics
