As of Sunday Spence has been diagnosed as Septic, which means he has an infection in his blood. He has been fighting really hard and so far we have had some progress where the infection is concerned. Since he was diagnosed as being septic, protocall dictates that he needed to be tested for meningitis. The way they test for that is by doing a Spinal Tap. They did the Spinal tap on Spence monday. The fluid from the Spinal Tap was clear, so it looks like he will be clear of meningitis but they still wanted to send the culture off to make sure all was well. Since Spence has been fighting the infection he is back on the Vent and doing well, his numbers are good. The rate Spence is on is 38 and the O2 Concentration is in the upper 50's-60%. The reason his O2 concentration is so high is due to his little intestines being dilated and full of air. The Nurse last night said that this might just be a side effect of the infection, but it could also be due to another blockage. Today I was informed that they will need to put in a central line because Spence's little veins are to weak to handle any more IV's. The Broviac line will be put in by Dr. Glasser (i think) sometime today or tonight. This will be good because the central lines can stay in longer and it will keep Spence from having to be poked, they will also be able to give him more nutrition through the central line. As of right now Spence is not being fed due to residuals, they are thinking that Spence is having residuals due to the excess air in his little tummy. So for now it is IV fluids and fat in a tube for Spence. He is now weighing in at 3 pounds 4 ounces he is looking nice and pink. The date for him to come home will most likely be moved to some time in September due to this little set back, but we will know more later on in the month of July. Thank you for praying for Spence and our family, we are greatfull to have the support.

As of today Spence has retained some more water weight, so his little body is a bit bloated. Doctor Watson called us and informed us that Spence was having a hard time breathing due to the extra water on his lungs. After going up on his rate Spence was forgetting to breath on his own. They had to put him back on the Ventilator this afternoon around 5pm. Hopefully once they give him something to get rid of the extra water weight ,they will be able to put him back on the Vapotherm ( the machine used when he is breathing on his own).

Today Joseph and I spoke with the Doctor and it looks as if there are no signs of infection right now. They are growing some cultures and the results will take a couple of days. Spence has gained a little weight, he is now 2 pounds 10 ounces. Nurse Angie said that Spence is now on 3.5 liters of oxygen and his O2 concentration is between 60 and 70%. The reason they had to go up on his oxygen is because there is some water on his lungs, which is making it difficult to breath. This is due to Spence retaining some fluid. Doctor Rahl said that babies this small are sensitive to fluids, this is most likely the cause for the added fluid on his lungs. As a precaution Dr. Rahl has decided to stop Spence's feedings for three days so that he can try and bring his sodium levels back up to where they need to be. The reason that the sodium levels are so important is that when they get to low, the lack of sodium can lead to seizures. As Doctor Rahl told me today Spence is doing well and is not as sick as everything sounds. It is just that everything has a reaction to something else. Once the Sodium levels are back to where they need to be they can than address the other issues (such as the water on Spence's lungs). We are extreemly appreciative of all the prayers and love being sent our way. Please keep praying for our little man, he is fighting hard and I know that the prayers on his behalf are giving him the strength he needs to get through this. Heavenly Father is amazing, and I know that with him anything and everything is possible. Thank you again for all the love...

Update from Mommy

I just wanted to give you a quick update on our little Spence... Today Spence's Dr called me and informed me that his electrolytes and sodium levels were a bit low. The Doctor is a bit concerned due to the fact that all the normal factors for this type of result dont apply in Spence's case. The normal factors would be to much IV fluid, or an excess in urine or stool output. Spence wasn't on any IV fluids and his urine and stool output have been normal, so Spence has the doctor a bit stumped. They are running some tests, which include a blood test and also a urine test to see if they can find the cause for such an abnormality in Spence's case. They have put him back on IV fluids to try and bring up his sodium and electrolyte levels. His respitory progress is still good, he is on 3 liters of oxygen and his O2 concentration is in the mid 30's -40's, which for Spence is good. He isn't gaining weight like they would like him to be so they have spoken with the nutritionist to see if we can boost his weight gain. Spence at this moment in time weighs in at 2 pounds 8 ounces. Thank you for all of your continued support we really appreciate it.. Love you all !!!

Update from Tuesday

I have the best news ever to share with you today... Spence is off the ventilator and breathing on his own with the assistance of the vasotherm. I was able to hold him yesterday and he was at a rate of 15 and his O2 concentration was in the low 30's. While I was holding him he was doing really well and loving it so much that he was high sating the entire time. When I was done holding Spence, his Nurse informed me that they were going to try and take him off of the ventilator and put him on the CPAP. I was a little nervouse but was optimistic about it. When Joseph and I went up there to visit him last night, we were informed that he wasn't on the CPAP like we originally thought but that he was actually breathing on his own, and only had the nasal canular in to help him breath a bit easier. Thank you all for your prayers they are helping immensly... We are so blessed to have all of you in our lives, we really appreciate all of the love and prayers being sent our way. I do have a special request, Last night as we were walking up to the NICU Joseph and I came across a family that was really upset about some news they recieved about their baby. This little angel is presently in the same room as Spence and the scene that we saw was upsetting. Many Doctors and Nurse's doing their best to help this little angel. I am asking for prayers on behalf of this family. I am unsure of their trial, but I know that having prayers sent their way will help. I don't know their names but I know what the power of prayer has done for me. It has helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life. I am hoping that through prayer we can ease their pain a little. Thank you so much for always being their for our family. We love each and every one of you !!

Guess what ... I was able to hold Spence today !!! This week they tried to put Spence on a CPAP machine since his settings were at 10 and his O2 saturation was at 25%. He did ok for the first few minutes but as Nurse Cyndi said he was just to tiny to fly (for it to work). After the first few minutes he got tired and within 45 minutes he was put back on the Ventalator. Since than he has been doing well, his Nurse on Friday (Nurse Erin) said that if he did well on Friday and Saturday that on Sunday I would be able to hold him. My little angel was very good both days and so we were able to take him out of his little baby cage ( as Chloe calls it ) and see how he would tolerate me holding him. As soon as he was settled on my Chest he was doing well. He was High Satting in the upper 90's the whole time, which Nurse Erin said meant he was enjoying himself and really liking it. So now if Spence is having a good couple of days in a row, I will be able to hold him once a day (when his primary Nurse's are there ). He is 2 pounds 12 oz and is eating 5cc's every hour. Our little man is doing well and getting bigger. We have some new pictures of him that we took today that Joseph will put on the computer sometime later this evening... I Love you all ..

Update from Kimberly

Here is the latest update on our little man.. When Joseph and I went up there tonight we noticed that he is back under the light therapy, and the nurse said that his billi levels were just a bit high but it is normal for preemies to go back and forth with the light therapy. His rate on the ventilator has come down he is now on a setting of 30 and his O2 concentration was at 60%, which for him is a lot better than what it was at. Spence is really swollen on his right side. The nurse said that since he does so much better on his right side all of the extra fluid collects on that side making him look distorted, but that with them moving him from side to side it should even itself out. He is now 2lbs 11oz and is eating 3cc's an hour. I am so greatful for so many wonderful people watching over and caring for our little Spence. Thanks for all of the love and prayers being sent our way.... We love all of you !!!

Update from Monday

Spence is now weighing in at 2 pounds 4 ounces and is eating 2 and a 1/2 cc's an hour, almost triple what he was eating. Today they did an eye exam on him and said that as of right now his eyes are to immature to see anything substantial but that they will check his eyes every two weeks for any signs of defects. Spence has been having a tough time coming off the ventilator , he has started to retain water and his little body is swollen to the point that he doesn't really look like himself. The doctor's started him on steroid treatments today that will last for up to two weeks, this treatment should help him lose some of the water weight and hopefully get him over this hump. Hopefully after the steroid treatments he will be able to come down on his rate and o2 concentration, and if possible come off the vent all together. We just have to wait and see. He was off of the blood pressure medication for a while but due to his sodium being low his blood pressure is not as good as the Nurse's and Doctor's would like it to be so he is back on a Dopamine drip until it is back to where they would like it. He is also having some trouble with his thyroid so he is also on some hormone therapy for that. He is definately a fighter so this little hump will pass , I just know it. Thank you again to everyone following Spence's progress , we truely appreciate all of the prayers and well wishes on our little Spence's behalf. We know he is feeling the love due to his progress. We as a family are truley thankful for so many wonderful people in our lives.. Thank you again for everything. (pictures to follow )

Update from Thursday

Thank you Mary Beth for all that you do.. I am sorry it has taken me so long to update you on little Spence , but as of today he is doing well. He is now a hefty 2 lbs 1 ounce and loving his feedings. As of yesterday they started feeding him 1cc every 3hrs and since Spence is tolerating his feedings so well, they are moving him up to 2cc's every 3 hours. The doctor hopes that by next week he will be eating 3cc's and doing well. The Doctor told me today that Spence is doing well with everything so far, although he still has concerns about his breathing. Today or tomorrow Spence will be seen by a genetic specialist to rule out the possiblity of Cystic Fibrosis. The reason that they are having Spence seen is because the Doctor wants to start a steroid treatment on Spence as early as monday to try and help him come off the ventilator. They don't want to start a steroid treatment if it isn't going to help, hence the testing for Cystic Fibrosis. Mom did some research on the computer about Cystic Fibrosis and learned that it is a genetic condition and that normally you can't just get it. So my fears have been put to rest on the scary nature of Cystic Fibrosis since neither side of our family has ever had Cystic Fibrosis.. Other than that he is doing well, he is opening his eyes more and a little more jittery than normal. The Doctors have stopped antibiotics for now because all their tests came back saying that he didn't have any infections. Thank you all for the prayers, we really appreciate each and every one of you.