"To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art." - La Rochefoucauld

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Ben & Jake at 6 Months
(Ben is 11 pounds, 9 ounces
Jake is 15 pounds, 12 ounces)
We saw the pulmonologist today and are happy to report that Ben is doing well. Sadly, he is not off of his medication. The doctor explained to us that the damage from the Chronic Lung Disease takes time to heal. Ben needs to out grow his dosage. The good news is that we have not increased his dosage in months. He is at the low end of the theraputic range. Once he is out of the theraputic range (which they think will be in 1-2 months) we can stop giving him his medicaiton. We are really looking forward to the day that he can just enjoy a bottle with no medication added. All in all, they couldn't be more pleased with his progress. We did also have a long talk about taking the boys out and about. My doctor had a heart to heart with us!! He told us that we need to continue to protect them until their at least one years old. No grocery stores, no restaurants, no big crowds, etc. etc. We also can not expose the boys to smokers or sick people. He explained that their lungs are damaged from prematurity and they take a long time to heal. With time, they will fully recover. I don't know why..but this conversation upset me! I just can't wait to take Ben and Jake out and show them off to the world!! We are planning a baptism for them in June and my doctor was even hesitant about this! Again, I am sad that the boys have to have such a sheltered life but I do know it is well worth it! We are going to plan the baptism and then a small gathering with immediate family. My family knows the drill so I think it will be ok to go ahead and move forward with the plans. I really look forward to the day that we can take them out and about! I know it will be one day soon! We can't thank everyone enough for your good hand washing and being careful about not exposing the boys to illness. I believe that is why they are as healthy as they are!!
Update on House: We will be in by April 1st!!
We can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!
Talk to you soon! :)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW! You can tell that they are identical in this picture. Soon enough as Ben gets bigger it will be hard to tell them apart. They are adorable and all that you have to do to protect them will be well worth it. You both are fantastic parents and your family amazes me over and over again.

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear that the boys are doing well but understand how disappointing it must be to hear that you have to continue to shelter them and not share them with the world (yet!) Just think how fast these past 6 months have gone...you are half way there until you can take them out and about and not have to worry about it.

It's amazing how you can really see the resemblence between them now that they are getting closer in size.

Hang in there!!
xoxo
Jeannette

Samantha said...

Hi there..the boys are getting soooo big! You can tell they are identical in this picture. I totally understand wanting to protect your boys- they will be able to venture out soon enough(-:
Can't wait to see you guys!
Samantha

Anonymous said...

Hi Kevin and Danielle,
I couldn't sleep because it looks like my sister might deliver her twin girls tomorrow. They will be 31 weeks on Monday...very close to when you delivered, I think. I just thought maybe you guys would send a couple prayers their way.

Watching Jake and Ben's progress through your site has really been so amazing and encouraging. They are such beautiful boys and look like they are striving so much.

Thanks again for sharing your story. I know every case is different, but it has been such a great place to go to learn a little more without bogging my sister and brother-in-law down with too many questions.

I honestly feel like I know you guys. I have started more than one sentence with, "Well, Kevin and Danielle said..."

Thanks again for your story. Your family is certainly in my many prayers tonight.

Sincerely,
Liz

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