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Tommy's Preemie Web |
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Late-November through Early January Messages...
Hi Tommy: I have corresponded with Tammy Bangs re a new book for NICU Parents. It is titled, "Newborn Intensive Care: What Every Parent Needs to Know." It is written by NICU nurse experts and takes the parent from high risk birth, through the NICU experience, through homecoming and beyond.These 460 pages are filled with photos and diagrams that simply explain what the baby's problems are, and how the baby is treated. The point of the book is to empower parents as active participants in their baby's care. It is available from NICU Ink Book Publishers for $24.95 plus shipping. Call 1-888-642-8465 or e-mail at srait@aol.com. As an NICU nurse and the editor, this book was a labor of love and I am very pleased with the response I have gotten from parents, nurses, neonatologists, etc. Tammy said you might list it as a parent resource on your web page. THANKS! Jeanette Zaichkin, RNC, MN. Hi Tommy: I just really wanted to say that your life has givin me hope. I am 22 weeks pregnant and I am Going under alot of problems right now. They are not sure if I have preeclampsia or something else. But they have told me that I might have to deliver prematuraly for me and my future sons sake. Its good to know that someone out there has gone through these types of problems, and made it through it ok. I am extremely scared, but I pray every night for me and my baby to make it through this together. Sincerely, Monique Gutierrez Hi Tommy: Sounds like you're doing great which is certainly encouraging to us. We understand what your parents have gone through as we are currently living the story. Our daughter, Shannon, was born 11-7-96 at 27 weeks. In reading through your archived messages, I believe she is the smallest one mentioned. Although she was 27 weeks gestationally, developmentally she was about 21 weeks. She was IUGR (intra-uterine growth retarded). She weighed 12 ounces at birth. That's right--no pounds, just 12 ounces, and was 9 3/4 inches long. My husband and I met at the ob/gyn's office that day for a routine visit and for an ultrasound in which we hoped to be able to find out if we would be having a boy or girl on or around February 3, 1997. It was obvious that the person doing the ultrasound was disturbed by what she saw and our doctor confirmed this. We had had an ultrasound at 13 wks and everything looked fine. At the 27 week ultrasound, there was minimal amniotic fluid, not much movement, and a lack of fetal development. We were sent to a specialist right away who determined that the umbilical cord was wrapped twice around the baby's neck and she wanted us to have an emergency c-section. I was admitted to the hospital and a few hours later, we gave birth to our little girl. She will be in the NICU for at least a few more months. She will be 8 weeks old tomorrow and as of today, her weight was 1 lb, 9 ounces. She has doubled her birth weight and continues to amaze us all. We are convinced of the power of prayer and know that we have been blessed with a miracle. It's encouraging to see so many success stories. Best wishes for a long and happy life! Say hi to your mom and dad and please keep Shannon in your prayers. Shannon's Mom and Dad (Kathy and Dave) Hi King family, My name is Pernilla, I am married to Bjorn and we have three daughters, and we live in Sweden. I want to say a big THANKS for this great place! I came across it during my second pregnacy wich was very complicated due to premature labor and other stuff. Tommyīs CyberNursery was also my intro to the Net one year ago! Since then I have visited at least once a week, checking out the links and reading about Tommy. About time to say Hi now eh? We have been very fortunate, bedrest have worked well for us since the girls held off to 37, 35 and 34 weeks respectively. Our latest little girl Ella(34) did inspite of her "late gestation" and steroid-shots have some problems with RDS, infections etc. During and after our NICU-stay this site helped a lot, together with preemie-l list (wich we found through you). We have added a link to this place on our page, I hope you dont mind? Take care, Christiansson family, Jonkoping, Sweden Pernilla Christiansson Christiansson family Page Hi Tommy: I want to let you know how helpful you have been in providing a forum for all the stories which have given us a great deal of encouragement over the past six and a half months. Seamus, Sean & Madison were born June 10th 1996 exactly three months premature. Their respective weights at birth were 1lb 13oz, 1lb 12oz, & Maddie was 1lb 10.5 oz.I will send you a more complete story soon because it is another amazing one to add to your site. I apoligize for not contacting you sooner but finding time while they were in the ICN was difficult but now is even tougher. I will try to get the complete story off to you soon though because it is another great example of what the combination of prayer Kathleen & Bruce Nagle Hello, I have just visited Tommy's site and I must say that it is great!! As the mother of a 23 weeker, weighing 474 grams (16.75 ounces) and measuring 11 inches at birth I can truly relate. Thank you for a great, informative forum. I am happy to finally read another success story. Best wishes and good luck to you all!! Hi Tommy: As the parent of a 33 week gestational age baby boy, it is nice to find the vast library of information available on your page. Sean Alexander was born on 10-15-96 weighing 2lbs 8oz and 15 3/4" in length. At approximately 28 weeks into my pregnancy, which had been progressing normally, my obstetrician noticed that I was not gaining size as rapidly as she felt I should. While carrying small is not usually cause for alarm, she had a 'gut feeling' that she should be concerned. She sent me to a perinatolog Michelle Kiley Hi Tommy: Our son was born at 26 weeks gestation, in Aug. of '93. He's 3 years old now. He weighed 1 lb. 8 oz. at birth. 91 days in NICU. Came home at 5 lbs. Lots of P.T. and A.F.O.'s but he's still not walking. He's been diagnosed with mild C.P., spasticity in his legs. We are on our way to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago in Jan. for an evaluation. We have researched Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy, but Zach isn't that severe. We've heard about Botox Therapy. We don't know what to expect out of this evaluation. He is mentally on target, just can't walk...Any body been there? Pam V. Hi Tommy: I want to let you know how well you will be doing in the months and years to come. My son was born almost 7 years ago. He was 12 weeks early and weighed 1 lb and 7 oz. He is about to turn 7 years old and is perfectly normal. He plays T-ball, soccer, makes good grades in school and is a blast to be with. He is the joy of my life, as you are to your mom and dad. I am currently 16 weeks pregnant and they say I have a 50% chance of having another preemie. Well, so far everything looks great. We will see. Best to you and your parents. Remember, God's gift to the world are children and preemies are the bow on top of the gift !!!!!!! Tracie Dickinson
Hi Clark, Natalie and Thomas! Thank's for writing in my Guestbook! I get inspiration from messages like yours! I'm still working on my homepage, and I think I'm almost getting the hang of it. I hope that I will make it better and better, and I'm trying to keep my own story updated as well. We'll see if there's going to be another (my own) Preemie in there soon. I admire you, because it's always hard to start up something new. I guess I shouldn't have had a Preemie-Page if it wasn't for the other ones that gave me the idea of sorting the information. They often are very concentrated around one baby, twins or triplets, but I was looking for a Page with the information you want to read when you're pregnant, as I am, as well. ( I'm in week 27 myself now, so I'm reading about the 27-weekers with a special interest. ) Hanging in there... /Inkan in Sweden Hi Tommy: Iīm called Inkan, and Iīm not a parent of a Preemie (yet), but I had a PROM ( Premature Rupture Of Membranes ) in week 23, and have now made it to week 27. That means that I will be a Preemie- parent, as they wonīt let me be pregnant for more than to w34. Iīm in bedrest, and have started a HomePage of my own with Preemie- stories and links. I follow every example as I learn at the same time, and Iīve constantly been looking for examples that can give some hope. I hope that you donīt mind if I add a link to your site, as I think itīs such a wonderful story and it gives so much hope. If you want to, you can add a link to mine. The meaning of the page is to give examples of stories in different weeks, both with happy endings and others. I also want to gather some information about PROM, as it seams that the doctorīs donīt have any answers to it. Happy Holidays! Ingrid Renfors Inkanīs HomePage Hi Tommy: My daughter's story is uncannily similar to yours. Caitlin was a 25 weeker, weighed 1.9 lbs and stayed in the hospital for 16 weeks. I understand how incredible lucky you feel. Thomas looks healthy and beautiful. He seems to have no serious sequella. Thanks for sharing your story. Ursula Kelly, Albuquerque, NM Ursula Kelly Hi Tommy: As the mother of a 23 weeker, Cameron, I know what you (and your Mom and Dad) have been through. I wish you the very best and continued progress. God Bless all the Precious Preemies. Doreen Newman Hi Tommy: Please tell your mom and dad that they have done a wonderful job on your web page and please thank them for the many valuable resources I have found linked here. Your story of courage and endurance has been encouraging for us, since we too are parents to a preemie. Our JJ was not quite as early as you were, but it has been just as frightening for us to go thru this with our first child. I hope you will visit JJ's Journal someday and say "Hi" to him also. We hope and pray for your continued growth and development. Shane, Gail and Jonathan James (aka JJ). Welcome to JJ's Journal of Life. Hi Clark and Tommy, Thank you for your reply to my note to Tommy. I understand what you have gone through as the parents of a preemie. If it is any comfort, things have changes so much over the years. 43 years ago my parents weren't allowed past the nursery window to watch me in my incubator. The only contact I had was for feedings and medication. All in the name of preventing infections. Needless to say my parents wanted to hold me very much and I'm sure I had a need for physical comforting. I think the need for parents and babies to be with each other has changed so much over the years through the understanding of how very important this is. Very sincere best wishes to your family for a Merry Christmas and a Happy 1997! Jody Jody W. Ianuzzi Hi Tommy: My name is Jody and I was born three months premature. I weighed 2 pounds 9 ounces. I am now 43 years old and I would like to loose 25 pounds! I wanted to tell your Mom not to worry because you will grow up to be a strong healthy grown-up. I once heard a parent say that they wish they had a crystal ball to see into the future. I hope I have been that crystal ball. Every day is special. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Hi Tommy: I loved your wonderful story. I sit here with tears in my eyes as I look at your pictures and remember August 3, 1992. That was the day that my nephew Robert Dylan Powell was born at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, AL at 22 weeks gestation. He weighed 1.2 lbs and dropped down to 14 oz. He was 11 inches long. His eyes were still fused together and his little ears were not formed yet. He was in the hospital for 4 1/2 months and came home a week before Christmas in a stocking about 2 weeks after his Dec. 3 due date. The local TV station came and did a wonderful story on him and they kept showing it all weekend long. He had some problems in the hospital as you did. He had major surgery on his stomach when he was still under 3 lbs. Amazingly he did not have a brain bleed. He's had hernia surgery a couple of times in the last few years. He had to have a shunt put in when he was around 18 months old. He is now 4 yrs 4 1/2 mths old and is doing great. The only thing is that he is still tiny! (28 lbs) If he don't watch out you will be catching up with him! Best wishes to you and your family! Lisa Halstead Hi Tommy: Just had a 26 week daughter on 11-11-96. Thank you for setting this web page. I will be in touch soon. Hi Tommy: My name is Manar, and I am a mother of a preemie girl who was born at 30 wks and spent 8 weeks in the NICU my experience is similar to your parents' except that my daughter did not go home with monitors or oxygene she is now almost 5 months old, and still taking dioritics and caffeine for her breathing because she tends to breath fast. I would like verey much to know if Tommy had a similar problem after he went off oxygene, and how long did he continue to take medication for breathing. I also would like to Know how did you mange to protect him from respiratory infections. Please send me a message as soon as you can. Finally I am very glad to here your success story and wish you the best of luck. manar fawzy Hi Tommy: My name is Brandi Wood, and I am now 9 months pregnant with our first child. It looks as though everything is fine and healthy with our baby who is due any day now. Your story really touched me, as I read the whole thing with tears in my eyes, and coul . You are a very lucky child. Wish you the best always... Brandi Wood Hi Tommy: I'm an NICU nurse in Sacramento, CA, and I just wanted you to know that I have included a link to your page from mine. It's nice to see the parents side of situations that we deal with everyday. Good luck to you, and thanks for sharing your story! Jan Roberson Jan's Page Dear Site Administrator, Simon & Schuster Interactive is celebrating the launch of The Three Trimesters. This beautiful new Site is a fun and informative resource for mothers-to-be on what to expect during the exhilaration and exhaustion, the agony and ecstasy of pregnancy.Bursting with facts, fun, and engaging activities for expectant moms, the Three Trimesters is guaranteed to amuse and inform. Based on the best selling book by Vicki Iovine, The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy, the Three Trimesters is the best new Web resource for expectant mothers.We would be honored if you would visit the Three Trimesters at http://www.gfguide.com and consider adding a link from Cyber Nursery to ours. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me. Hi Tommy: Thanks for your wonderful web site -- I've never seen one more organized! Our son Peter was born at 30 weeks, 3 lbs., 3 oz. Check out our web site! Thanks again and God bless! Dawn Peter's Story Hi Tommy: I have had three preemies. My 30 weeker weighed in at 3lbs 10 oz, my 26 weeker weighed 1lb 13oz and my 27 weeker weighed 2lbs even. My 30 weeker has mild cerebral palsy, but my girls have no problems. I totally agree with the fact the news doesn't cov be saved!!My son may have some problems but I wouldn't trade him for anything or anyone. Many kids with disablities were born at term. It is up to parents like us to get the word out. Lisa Pawelkiewicz
Hi Tommy: My mommy is at 25 weeks, just as yours was, and our Doc sent her to the hospital because of bleeding and amniotic fluid leakage. So far, everythings, OK, but if I come early I know I can make because I'm a fighter like you! Baby Markie Hi Tommy: Two of my three children were born prematurely because of Rh disease. A fourth child died in utero of Rh disease. My 25-year-old preemie daughter was born at 32 weeks. She had hyaline membrane syndrom and the NICU didn't even own a respirator! She had in his heart (VSD), had an infection at one month of age and was diagnosed as having no hearing in one ear. Today he attends the most prestigious, and hard to get into, private school in New Orleans, gets straight As, plays soccer and basketball, and i a Kappa and graduated magna cum laude from college. Our oldest daughter, who was not premature but was a breech birth, just published his first book(which won a major award) and received her PhD. Jaci and Peter Cooley
Hi Tommy: I just finished reading your touching story and wanted to tell you how cute you are (of course it appears many others have beaten me to it). Though I am not a parent of a premmie I can imagine how hard it was on your parents, you should feel very lucky, as they must be very strong people to have survived such and ordeal. I was blessed with a son just this last October (Galen Micheal was born on 10/15/96, four days after his due date (and my birthdau and weighed a whopping 8lbs 8ozs), so at least in some respects I can comprehend the fears your parents had for you though mine, like most other parents, were based not on a real possiblity but "pregnancy hormones" :) Anyway, I just wanted to say, wonderful page...you obviously have helped and inspired many others in similiar and not so similiar situations. Goddess Bless! Jenny and Baby Galen
Hi, I am trying to find "the Hallway at Tommy's house" and can't seem to get it right. I got the link from parents Place. I am possibly carrying up to 4 fetus' and I need Information on this kind of pregnancy. I want to be a educated as possible on what to resonable expect. Can you help me find your link and any others that you know of? Sincerely, Wendy and Steve Meyer
Hi Tommy: I am the mother of a 20-month-old beautiful boy who was born at 27 weeks gestation. He was a twin and his sister Lauren who weighed 1 lb, 14 oz. passed away the next morning. Reggie, born weighing 2 lb. 1/2 oz, fought to live and did. He had many complications including apnea, reflux and intraventricular hemorrage which eventually lead to shunting. Over the months we have experienced highs and lows with several surgeries for a shunt revision, hernia repair and finally a nisin fundoplication for severe reflux disease. This all sounds very distressing and I must say my husband and I have been through a storm, but I would go through it again for my son. He is the absolute joy of our lives and the determination that he has shown has given us, and those around him strength we did not know we had. Of course there are good stories and horror stories when it comes to premature babies and children. But the good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I thought the scariest time was in the NICU watching the little form fight for his life, but to me it is the normal day to day worries that any mother would have for their child. Of course, my son needs extra care right now, but I know in time he will be just like any other child, the difference is that he came into this world a little earlier. I would like to encourage those out there with children who are premature. They are very strong little chlidren and will surprise you. My son was given a gloomy prognosis and has already surpassed the doctors prognosis. It would take a book to go through it all, but just know that if the parents continue to be strong for the child, there is no limit to what can happen. Just keep the faith Lisa P
Hi Tommy: The news gets even better, Tommy. I found this site looking for research data for my 21 year old born at 26 weeks gestation in 1975 ! At 1 lb. 13 oz and 12 inches long she sounds a lot like you. Today she is a senior Occupational Therapy student at East Carolina University doing research on neonatal intensive care nursery environments. Hers wasn't great, but it got great results! She graduated from high school with a GPA > 4.0 and has a 3.6 GPA in college. Quite a success for someone who wasn't supposed to be here...Your mom and dad have a lot to be excited about.. Nancy Seitz
Hi Tommy: My name is Christine. I am the mom of a 29.5 weeker named Colin that was born on April 4, 1996. The first night that I came home from the hospital without Colin in my arms I couldn't sleep. I got on line searching for anyhting to read. I found your site. It connected me to many resources and made the 78 days that Colin spent in the hospital much easier. Today Colin is almost 8 months old, about 14.5 pounds and is sitting here with me tearing up a sheet of paper while I type. He thinks that is a ton of fun. It's great to see the new photos of you getting bigger. I hope to finish our web page soon and I will let you know when we're done. Take care and keep growing! - Christine Christine Davidson
Hi Tommy: We are so glad you are doing well, we were fortunate enough to carry our Aaron to term, but we were nervous the entire 9 months after a previous miscarriage. I do not know how to properly express our happiness. The Ragans Family, Lee Hi Tommy: Both of my children are preemies . I also am a preemie . I am in my computer class right now . If I had a scaner to use I would send you a photo of all of us . It is hard to get acustomed to colic and gastrites . My name is samantha my oldest boy is Daniel And the youngest is Drake . Daniel is two Weeks preemature and Drake was a month and a half preemature . Daniel's weight was 3 1/2 lbs. Drake was 4.7 lbs . Do you find Thomas a slow grower?
Hi Tommy: We are the proud parents of a 26 weeker (1 pound 12 oz) born February 23, 1996. I sure wish that we had known about this wonderful resource when we were in the NICU!! Tommy looks wonderful and we really enjoy the CyberNursery Web site. Thank you for providing such a wonderful resource for all of the Premie Parents out there! Our baby Eddie is 9 months old today and is doing great! He is very special to us as I'm su Thanks again for the great WebSite and keep it up! Eric & Judy Metcalf Judy Metcalf |
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