Introduction
Steven F. Holle (steve@oz.sunflower.org)
Mon, 26 Feb 1996 13:58:41 -0600
I'm the father of twin preemies born September 6, 1995.
Caleb and Leah were born at 27 weeks gestation, weighing 2# 4.5 oz. and 2#
3.4 oz. respecively.
We survived the SCN experience. It was a very positive and supportive
experience for us. The people were great and we learned alot. Through our
experience we had to deal with the following issues...
Ventilators, CPAP, Oxygen, Infection, Retinopathy, Reflux, Grade II IVH,
Hydrocephalus, Lumbar Punctures, Chronic Lung Disease, Hernias, Anemia, etc.
There was always something to worry about. And frustration, because there
was very little you could do about it. At times progress was slow, then they
seemed to progress at the speed of light.
Caleb came home at 2 months of age. He weighed nearly 5# and was on oxygen,
Theophylline, and Apnea monitor. Leah came home 2 weeks later because of the
hydrocephalus. She required only the Theophylline and Apnea monitor.
Caleb was rehospitalized for 3 days in December for RSV infection.
Today, both children are doing well. Caleb has been off the oxygen since
mid-January. They have just been weaned off the Theophylline and have grown
through the retinopathy. Leah's hydrocephalus has apparently arrested and
will not require a shunt. They are developmentally appropriate for their
corrected age. Hopefully, the good news will continue and next month we'll
lose the apnea monitors.
It has not been an easy six months, but hopefully the worst is behind us.
Now we're just trying to survive raising twins!
Thanks for starting the Preemie List. I wish it was here six months ago.
Steve Holle
steve@oz.sunflower.org