Our first hurdle

Many hurdles come up when you are dealing with a Micropreemie. Tyler was no exception to the rule. Our first of many unexpected diagnosis' came withing the first 24-72 hours. Withing 24 hours Tyler was diagnosed with Brain bleeds during a routine head ultrasound . A very common occurrence in small micro preemies and in my own personal experience in preemie where no advance knowledge or warning of their births. (I have found that those who knew and were able to get steroids many of the kids escaped this diagnosis.)

A brain bleed is also known as a Inter ventricular Hemorrhage or IVH. They are ranked on a scale of 1-4. 1 is the least problematic and 4 is the worst. ( Although 1 may be problematic any degree of bleeding CAN cause issues later on)

Tyler was diagnosed with a grade 3 and a grade 4.

We were told of possible Cystic changes, meaning there were a few spots in his brain that we either damaged or gone because of the bleeds. Tyler also developed hydrocephalus, a common side effect from the damage/bleed. This was not diagnosed for several weeks after his birth.

Our first line of defense to get him stabilized was to fix his PDA or Patent Ductus Arteriosis. It is a congenital heart defect that is very common in preemies. Most close on their own or with the help of medication. Due to the bleeding in Tyler's Brain surgery was needed.

So on day 3 of our Journey Tyler was needing heart surgery.

This marked our first surgery, and the first of many blessings and prayers.

( I will post about bleeds and stuff in a later post.)

PDA's are VERY common but serious none the less. PDA's are considered a Congenital heart defect. Medications are used to fixed it but when that is not an option surgery is performed.

Indications that surgery is needed include ( but are not limited to:)

The type and timing of surgical repair depends on the child's condition and the type and severity of heart defects.

In general, symptoms that indicate that surgery is needed are:

• difficulty breathing because the lungs are wet, congested, or fluid-filled (congestive heart failure)
• problems with heart rate or rhythm (arrhythmias)
• excessive work load on heart that interferes with breathing, feeding, or sleeping

Because Tyler was so little and it was so critical for him to be able to get better faster and with the IVH, fixing the PDA was VERY important.

The surgery was done at his bedside. It is not considered "open heart" surgery because they don't open the chest cavity. But they do go inside and repair the heart with a titanium clip.

I remember going in that morning and seeing him and touching him and wondering and hoping he would be OK. Praying that someone bigger, higher and more important was watching over us.

The surgery didn't take very long. I had barely gotten back to my room and ate breakfast before they were done.

He did very well.

He was stable.

First hurdle... first major spiral downward.