Saturday, August 16, 2008 in the Evening

Hello all. sorry for the delay in writing. Christie and I have had a relaxing Saturday and yesterday was very hectic. Sorry I did not post sooner, but Christie and I spent most of the afternoon with Zander today and we and he enjoyed the visit.

Zander has moved up. They now have put him in a crib that is much bigger than his first bed. He is now "King of the Pod"...as if he was not already. George Jefferson would be proud as he has definitely moved up. He was awake most of the afternoon. He is still receiving 45 ml every 3 hours. He does have reflux, but the new bed tilts more than his first bed so hopefully this will help with the reflux. Christie read books to him this afternoon and Grandma Judi came down this morning and visited with him for a few hours.

It appears that on Monday, Dr. Kelley will place a dye into the esophagus to see how the connection (surgical site is doing). Zander does not have an infection at this point although that was being checked a few days ago. He is still receiving Zantac and pain meds as well as the medicine for his minor jaundice.

We will see him again tomorrow and we are glad that we saw him with his eyes open for so long today. It is amazing what you focus on as parent...the little things. We hope and pray that everything continues to go smoothly through Monday's test. We also continue to pray for Ethan and his family. Thanks to everyone for everything, especially the prayers and comments. Aunt Heidi, hug the kids, and the next time you are this close to TN for vacation, you better stop in.

I will write again tomorrow and again, sorry for the delay in posting.

Sweet dreams Zander. Mommy and I love and pray that you will be home soon.

Clancy

Thursday, August 14, 2008 in the Evening

Good evening all. I hope everyone is gearing up for a good TGIF. We are all well. Christie only has 177 days of school left. The boys are enjoying school and the homework is already coming in for Houston.

Zander is doing well today. He is still feeding at 45 ml every 3 hours. They are adding a thickening agent to his food to help him keep it down. Today, he had to have oxygen added to his trach mask as his oxygen saturation levels dropped a little bit. They have taken blood and think that Zander may have an infection, but we do not know anything at this point. If he does

have an infection, this is not uncommon. We should know more tomorrow.

As far as his weight is concerning, he is holding his own and continues to gain. His color was improved and it appears that his slight jaundice may be resolve with the assistance of medicine.

We hope that everyone has a good Friday. Christie and I are looking forward to the weekend and spending some extended time with Zander. We pray that Zander does not have an infection and that his reflux will subside. We also pray for Ethan as he is still Zander's next door neighbor. Please keep Ethan in your thoughts and prayers.

I will write again tomorrow at some point...hopefully. Boys, may your sleep be sound and your dreams endless. We love each of you dearly.

Clancy

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 in the Evening

Good evening all. I hope everyone had a nice humpday. Everyone here is doing well. The boys are sacked out and Christie and I are soon off to bed. Zander is doing well today. He is sorting through his several inquiries from his post last night and he is trying to narrow it down, but I think he is milking it for all its worth. No changes today. He is resting and eating well. Dr. Kelley will be by to see him tomorrow, so we hope to have more then.

Short and sweet tonight. Thanks, as always for the comments and prayers. I will write again tomorrow....hopefully. It is going to be a busy Thursday and Friday in the legal world.

Sweet dreams boys. Mommy and I love you. Clancy

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 in the Evening

Hi, I am Zander (SWM). I am single, 4 weeks old tomorrow and I am interested in long walks in the park or on the beach. I am a Cancer which means that I am sensitive and I am deeply devoted to family, pain medications, diaper changes and nurses. My eyes are blue (for now), I am a little over 9 pounds, and I do come with some strings (and cords) attached. My biggest attribute is my innocence; however, I like to think that I am a fighter. My favorite clothing line is Pampers, and I love wearing nothing but socks. I do require a sensitive touch and frequent kisses. I am not yet sure if I am a Momma's boys or a Daddy's boy, but it appears that they will suffice as parents. If interested, please feel free to drop me a line and I will get back with you soon or feel free to leave a comment.

I am breathing well today and hope that they will increase my feedings tomorrow. My Grandma Sandy came to see me today, but she is going back to Florida tomorrow. I am resting well and they have decreased my pain medications to every 3 hours. I am now taking medicine to help with my slight yellowish color (minor jaundice), but many of my roommates are under the tanning lamps throughout the day. Hopefully, I will be tan soon and I have a note in to my nurses about giving me equal time under the tanning lights, but it does not appear they are listening to me.

I am now getting tired and will sign off for now. I appreciate all of the interest in me and the comments concerning my well-being. The Olympics are on and some guy named Phelps is going for his 64th Gold Medal, so I am going to see if he gets it. I will write again tomorrow...if not sooner.

Good night big brothers. I heard you had a fun first day of school. I will be home soon, well I really do not know when, but I can't wait to get there. Tell Mom and Dad hello and I love them.

Zander

Transcriptionist, Clancy

August 11, 2008 in the Evening

Hello everyone. It was the night before school started and all through the house, the kids were asleep.....for now. I hope everyone is doing well. Happy Birthday to Charlie, Mom, Sandy and Maureen (Mo)! We hope that each of you had a great birthday!

Zander is doing well. HE IS BREATHING ENTIRELY ON HIS OWN. The CPAP machine has been removed and all he now has is a loose mask over his trach tube that blows moist heated air over the entrance to the trach. This allows him to breath in moist heat air which aids in keeping the mucous in his lungs and around the trach loosened up.

Hoss is now eating 45 ml every 3 hours. For those of you that do not know who Hoss is, watch reruns of Bonanza. Combined with his breast milk is a small part of rice cereal. The cereal thickens his food with the hopes that it prevent a significant amount of reflux. Dr. Kelley said that he is doing well and it does appear that he is resting well. Zander has such a sweet spirit. Grandma Sandy is still visiting and she says that he looks better every time she sees him. I tend to agree with her, but we are partial.

Zander is in good hands for the evening (he is always in good hands). His nurse (Sam) is a graduate of my alma mater Carson-Newman and she plans on giving him a bath later on this evening. I do not know if it will be a wipe down or whether actual water is involved. For now, he is resting well.

I will write again tomorrow. I am off to bed as is Christie. We hope all of you are doing well. Please keep Ethan and the Zman in your prayer; and, as always thanks for the comments and encouraging words.

Sweet dreams Houston and Jackson....tomorrow is a big day for you both. Zander, ask for the full body wash and tell her to go easy. Goodnight boys...we love all 3 of you. Stay strong Zander.

Clancy

Sunday, August 10, 2008 in the Evening

Do we have to go back to work tomorrow? The weekends are really moving quickly these days. Houston and Jackson start school on Tuesday so Christie has been labeling everything they own. It has been a nice weekend and the boys are excited about returning to school on Tuesday. Zander is doing well today. He is still eating 30 ml of breast milk through the G-tube every three hours. He is also still receiving pain meds and sedatives every 2 or 4 hours so he is still resting well. We were unable to get his weight earlier today, but it still appears that he likes to eat. Dr. Kelley will likely be by to see him tomorrow. He has not rejected any of his feedings and he does spit-up after eating, a little bit. This is a good sign in that his esophagus is staying open. As far as his breathing is concerned, he is breathing on his own with the exception of a little bit of air being pushed in right at the end of each inhale. We hope that everyone has a great start to the week. Again, thanks to all for the comments, prayers and love. Please keep Ethan and his family in mind and in your prayers. I will write again tomorrow...if not sooner. Sweet dreams boys.....keep moving along Zander. We love you and cannot wait to get you home. Clancy

Sunday, August 10, 2008 in the Late Morning

Like the Olympics, I am now using a 12 hour delay (at least for today). Sorry I did not post last night. It was catch-up and clean-up day around the house. Grandma Sandy (Covert) also flew in from Florida and we spent a considerable amount of time with Zander yesterday afternoon and last night.

Zander is doing well. His feedings have doubled to 30 ml every 3 hours. Dr. Kelley increased the feedings after the Zman did well on 15 ml. He was fussy at times when we saw him, but it can only be due to the pain on the inside. He is breathing well and the CPAP has been turned down to where he is breathing on his own for the most part. Zander now weighs just over 9 pounds. He is all muscle, just like his Dad (he he). He is resting well for th emost part and he is still receiving pain meds every 2 hours and sedatives every 4 hours, I think.

Zander's next door neighbor, Ethan (the baby next to him) is not doing well. Ethan has a twin brother who is at home, but we are fearful that Ethan is not going to make it. His parents are a sweet young couple and we pray for healing for Ethan and his family and would appreciate it, if you would keep this family and baby in your prayers.

I will write again later tonight. I hope everyone has a restful Sunday. We are going to see the Zman this afternoon. For those that are golfing, keep it in the short grass. Thanks for all the comments and prayers.

See you soon.

Clancy