Tears for Seth...

Okay so I have not updated this blog in a long time. I apologize dear Millers! In thinking why I have not posted I have come to understand why. It's because I am frustrated. I am so frustrated that he is not home yet. That every time the Millers post things on Facebook saying that things are going well a day or two later something horrible happens again. Why has there seemed to be no improvement? Why hasn't Heavenly Father healed this little guy yet? How long must he and his family suffer? Why can't he be whole yet? Why can't at least things be progressing steadily in some way even if just a little way?! I know Heavenly Father has His own timing and that His will may be different that ours but yet I still find myself just so frustrated. Can you imagine being Jamie and Andrew? Jamie goes to the hospital every single day with little Grace in tow. That is until now. Grace is no longer allowed in the hospital at all due to flu season! Poor Grace and Joseph will no longer be able to see their brother except through pictures! And now Jamie and Andrew will have to figure out what to do with their other 2 children when they want to go see little Seth. I just feel so helpless. I want to help them so badly! I want to somehow ease their pain and suffering! I have no idea how though. Unfortunately we don't have the money to give much in that way. I know money doesn't fix anything really but it can help ease the burden of the gas they have to use every single day to make their long journeys to the hospital. So if any readers have any more to give maybe together we can try to at least lighten that burden together? And of course we will all continue to pray and pray some more for these amazing people who are going through such a struggle right now.

I talked to Jamie this last week. She was raving at how strong and brave little Seth is. How he truly is a little warrior. There are things that he goes through that any of us would cry and cry through and yet he is so strong and still. She talked about how he is her little social butterfly. He really craves people's attention and hates to be alone. I just cry thinking about how he has to be alone at all. If he were able to be home he would never be alone. But in hospitals he cannot have complete attention all day long due to there being other patients around.

As many of you know Seth was transferred to a different hospital this past week as well. Jamie and Andrew just felt that the doctors where he was were just no longer able to offer any help to Seth. He needed a fresh new perspective from new doctors. Which it sounds like he has received. They have hope as new treatments and ideas are coming about with his new care.

Below are Jamie Miller's thoughts for today. When I talked to her this week she was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated for sure. With the eosinophilic gastroenteritis he will not be able to eat what other people eat probably ever in his life. So trick or treating is out...Thanksgiving turkey and pies is out...cookies out. How do you have 1 kid that is this way and allow the other kids to be kids? So once Seth is home the journey will have only begun for this little Warrior and his ever so patient and loving family.

So today they found that Seth pretty much has no immunoglobulin G. Basically he has no immune system. So that's under autoimmune disorder, but so is the eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Don't know if they're related or not.. I don't know. But that's why he can't get rid of this enterobacter--because he doesn't have the stuff to get rid of it. It's amazing he hasn't been sick--that's why they never thought he had an immune problem. They actually gave him the pneumoccocol immunization like, 2 or 3 weeks ago, and that's pretty much one of the worst things you can give them with this disorder. So it's a MIRACLE he did not get pneumonia from it! So yesterday they needed all this blood to do testing. I don't know how many times they stuck him.. at least 3. They finally had to get blood from an artery because all of his veins are shot. Afterwards I just held him and cried. Today I didn't go to the hospital because the kids aren't allowed there anymore. We're at a different hospital (you knew we transferred, right?), and kids can't go anymore since flu season is starting. So they needed to start an IV to put the immunoglobulin G in his system, but every time they'd get it in, his vein would blow. So they tried 3 times, then Andrew told them to hydrate him some more. So they pumped him full of fluids, then on the second time after that they got it in. And I'm so glad I wasn't there, because it breaks my heart watching them do that to him. So, I'm SOOO glad that these doctors are getting to the bottom of things, and they are SO proactive. But this is going on so long. We'll be lucky to get him home before Christmas, at this point. Yesterday he was nauseous for some reason, so he kept dry heaving, but there's nothing in his stomach.. once he was able to actually vomit stomach acid. All the rest of the times he couldn't actually get anything out. The nurse kept pulling a bunch of acid out of his stomach through his feeding tube. He was so miserable, and then I thought they'd leave him alone for a while, but then today they took more blood, and then needed to get that IV in. Ugh, I just hate this.

The wait continues...

Here is the update from the Millers. It's just such a waiting game isn't it? Just not a FUN game of any sort!


The specialist has decided that Seth's problem is due to a volume of milk problem rather than this bacterial problem. So Dr. Brady (the specialist) said they would increase Seth's probiotics and take him completely off of antibiotics. Only problem is she never told the doctor about increasing the probiotics, so Seth doesn't have an order for that.
As for the volume problem, she said that he would eat from a bottle during the day, and get a continuous drip from a feeding tube during the night. She said that if that works, then once he's off of IV fluids he could go home like that--I would just have to learn how to put the feeding tube in, and I'd have to bring home a machine that can do the continuous drip.
Andrew and I don't think it's a volume problem--we think it's a bacterial problem. So now that Seth is off of antibiotics, we are waiting for everything to fall apart again. I suppose we'll know in the next day or two.
Seth is growing well, though. At 11 weeks old, and almost 2 weeks adjusted age, he is 7 pounds, 14 ounces.

Going home in a week or two MAYBE....HOPEFULLY!

Here is the latest from Jamie. Pray pray pray and pray some more that Seth will be able to come home within the next week or two! The Millers SOOO need to all be together as a complete family each and every day! Keep fighting Seth! Soon you can come home!

Okay, so Seth had another setback. Took him off of antibiotics, and things started falling apart again--diarrhea, blood in his stool.. he didn't want to eat at all. So we cut his feedings again, and called the specialist. So Seth saw an infant gastrointestinal specialist yesterday. She said that his problems are most likely from the overgrowth of bacteria (interobacter) that his antibiotics can't get rid of. So she's put him on a better antibiotic (flagyl), and he'll be on that for 21 days. She also said he needs to be on breastmilk (hooray!!! she doesn't think he's lactose intolerant! My continued pumping has not been in vain!). So he started eating again today at 10 ml (about 2 teaspoons), and they're going to move that up slowly but I don't know how slowly--I haven't been able to talk to the doctor yet. So Dr Brady (the specialist) said that if he does well eating breastmilk, then in 7-10 days, so long as he's off of his TPN (IV fluids), he can go home, and will finish the antibiotics at home. Wow! I'm almost afraid to get my hopes up yet again, but as always, can't help myself! I am gearing up for him to come home next weekend! We painted the kids bedroom downstairs, and now have their bunk bed moved down there! I've been using the steam vac on their carpet down there, and wow--it is DIRTY! So we're getting them all moved so we can start setting up Seth's room! So exciting! Okay, that's today's update!

It's not over yet...please keep praying!

Below is the update from Jamie Miller. Sorry for a delay in updates. We went on a family reunion. Our life keeps going on...all the while the Millers continue in the waves of uncertainty with little Seth. I think many of us think that if we are 'forgetting' about Seth and the Millers that must mean that they are all doing great! Unfortunately that is so not true though. They have to keep fighting. Keep hoping. Keep going back to the hospital faithfully everyday knowing that once again they will have to leave their baby there. He does great...hopes are high...then something else goes wrong and hopes are dashed and tears are cried and faith is tried some more. Please keep praying for the Millers. While our lives may keep twirling and whirling just fine theirs is not. They still need our prayers at least. And if we have any more money to give their gas guzzling van could really use the support as they continue to make daily trips to the hospital 45 minutes away that is until Drew and Joseph start school again all too soon!

Well, Seth is doing really well. Almost ready to go home--the only thing stopping us now is he is a bit anemic again, and his stools are a bit loose with an occasional speck of blood in it.
The anemic thing might not be a problem--on Tuesday they're going to check his blood again to see if he has immature red blood cells. If he does, then his body is working on the problem. If he doesn't, he'll probably get another blood transfusion. Either way.. not a HUGE deal. Easy to deal with.
The stool thing is more of a concern, since these were the issues when he had his really bad night (oh, and speaking of his bad night.. I talked to his nurse last night, and he was working the night that Seth got really dehydrated (but he wasn't his nurse that night) and lost 12 ounces. He said it was a pretty big deal--there were 6 people in his room all night. And he said if the doctor calls verses the nurse.. then it's a pretty big deal. Kinda glad I didn't realize how serious things were at the time. They later told us that his potassium was dangerously high.. to the point that he could have started to have heart arrhythmia). They just put him on mylanta for his acid reflux (which he has really bad), and apparently that can cause loose stools.. so they've taken him back off, and now we're waiting to see if that makes a difference. They've stopped increasing his feedings until we can get his stool regulated again--so he's at 35 ml until things start to straighten out, and then we'll start going up by 5 ml/day again. Once we can start increasing his feedings again, he'll need to be somewhere in the 40+ ml range before he can go off of IV fluids.. once we do that, and he's tolerating everything, and growing.. then he can go home! Currently he's on a special formula that you have to order through the pharmacy, called Elecare. His doctor would like to start switching him back to breastmilk soon, in hopes that he'll be able to tolerate it, so that would be good!
When he goes home he'll probably go home on a monitor because he still has bradycardia. Most of his heart rate drops are due to the acid reflux, but I don't think all of them are. He'll also probably go home with some sling thing to keep him elevated in bed because of his acid reflux, but that isn't for sure yet. I'm just assuming it's bad enough that they'll want to do that.
That's the update! Hopefully things will get resolved soon. We're so close!

Real food coming his way! Hooray!

Below is the update from Jamie. Can I just say wow! Wow what an experience this has all been and how amazing it is that we live in a day that Seth could be Seth. I mean the doctors can fix crazy problems and keep little ones alive even though their stomachs are clueless until all works properly! What a blessing! We are SO proud of you Seth and cannot wait to meet you! You are an inspirational little warrior that I am sure will continue to inspire so many through out your long wonderful healthy life that is to come soon!

So, about 20 minutes after we got to the hospital today, the nurse walks in and says that Seth's replogle is coming out, and he's going to get his first bottle! I was in the middle of pumping, so I just stopped because I wanted to see her take the replogle out. The first time I watched him yawn after it was out, I saw him start to wince at the end, expecting it to hurt, and then he looked really surprised because it didn't! I was so happy to see that! He always cried after yawning when he had the replogle down his throat.
Things turned out perfectly, because I had just pumped, and so he got to take fresh milk for his first bottle. It was only 5ml, which is hardly anything, but it's a start! He only switched to a normal size pacifier yesterday, prepping him for bottle nipples, and he's been doing well with that. It took him a while to suck on the bottle nipple--he just has no idea what he's supposed to do with a bottle! His stomach doesn't feel hungry, because it's never really had food in it except the first couple days of life. So even though he barely had anything to drink, it probably took 10 minutes for him to get it all down. He just looked so confused! haha! But he got it all down, and afterwards I burped him and got a few burps out--he didn't spit anything up, so that was good!His second feeding was 3 hours later, and the nurse let me feed him. She had me hold him out in front of me, with my hand under his head, and he was lying down on his side so that when he swallowed, it would go down the side of his throat. That's apparently easier for these little guys. He was really sleepy, so it took a while for him to get it down again, but once he started to suck, he was able to keep at it until it was gone.
We're so excited that we're moving forward, and so proud of him! We don't know yet if his stomach is pushing anything down. We know it CAN go down--we just don't know if his stomach will cooperate right away, or if it will take a while. But either way, this is definitely a step in the right direction!!

Recovery is going well!

This is from Jamie herself. Sounds like Seth is continuing to warrior his way through this miserable beginning of life! Go Seth Go!

So, Seth is now off of his ventilator and is just on oxygen. He's doing really well... he opened his eyes for about 10 minutes today, which was SOOO nice to see! He didn't look uncomfortable or in pain or anything, so that was a relief. He looked right at us every time we said something to him. He is so strong. Not much to update you on, other than that!

He MADE it!!!!

Okay. So he had pyloric atresia, which is super rare. less than 1 in a million babies have it! Crazy, huh? So, the surgeon didn't exactly get RID of it, but he basically created an opening for everything to go around it. Can't really explain the procedure--we made him draw it for us. Pretty amazing, though.
Anyways, he's doing well. He's on a ventilator because the anesthesia causes them to not breathe on their own, so he's on that until he can wake up enough to start breathing. They began weaning him off already.. he started waking up about 15 minutes after we left the hospital. Go figure! But they think they'll be able to keep him out of the isolette and just put him in a regular crib, and he'll be able to start wearing clothes and stuff, so that's exciting!
The most horrible part of the day was in the waiting room. We were sitting right next to the consultation rooms where the surgeons talk to the family or whatever. Well while we were sitting there, one family got the news that the patient didn't make it. He was on the way to the recovery room when his heart stopped and they couldn't revive him. It was HORRIBLE. We could hear them start sobbing, and what sounded like hitting the wall. Oh my gosh... it was horrible. And it was kind of a reality check of the scary situation we were in, you know? Anyways, I'm so glad this day is over!
So, they're going to run some tests next week to make sure things are able to move through his stomach. His stomach may take a while to start digesting again, since it hasn't had to do anything for a while.. so it might need to re-learn, so to speak. But once we know things are moving through, he'll be able to start eating. So for now, it's just letting his tummy heal... and early next week we'll know if the surgery worked or not!

What a warrior! Great job Seth! Way to push through this crazy day!

SURGERY Tomorrow! PRAY PRAY PRAY PLEASE!

I talked to Jamie today. Below is her update.

So, Seth is going in to surgery tomorrow. He's tentatively scheduled for 11ish, but there's 2 babies ahead of him, so he could go earlier if one of the babies got canceled, or the surgeries went faster than anticipated, or he could go in later if the surgeries took longer than anticipated. SO. He'll go in, they'll put him to sleep, then they're going to do another endoscopy to try and see what's going on one more time, then the surgeon will open him up and get him fixed.
His blood platelet count was a TEENY bit high, so he's getting a plasma transfusion since he's getting operated on. Otherwise they would have just left it alone. Um, getting antibiotics in the morning, just to be safe... and I think that's about it.

Jamie is doing well considering all of this. I just can't imagine. It makes me so sad that my best friend has to experience all of this and that her brand new little baby has to struggle so much. As if being born at full term wasn't traumitizing enough for babies! He has bruises from getting blood drawn. He's swollen from all the fluids they try to keep in him. He's alone in an incubator a good portion of the time when all he really wants is to be in mommy's arms all day every day. Oh dearest Seth! Soon you can come home and be with mommy! Be strong tomorrow! Have faith! The doctors will fix you all up tomorrow! The Lord will help them help you! And soon you can go home and be with your awesome family! Please everyone pray lots for little Seth and the doctors tomorrow! And throw in a few for his parents too!

Updates Updates pros and cons

Okay, so he's had another x-ray, upper gi, and ultrasound, all of which again showed nothing. He can get surgery at 2000 grams, and he currently weighs 1955 grams (4 pounds, 5 ounces), so we're really close. He's still having tiny poops, and they're not pulling out as much from his stomach, which seems to indicate something is getting through, but his upper gi showed nothing... I hate this! I'm guessing he might get surgery early this next week, but that's just a guess.. haven't talked to the surgeon or anything. Or maybe he'll get another endoscopy... who knows. So, that's all... just more of nothing! Seth is anemic, so he got a blood transfusion today (Andrew's blood that he donated a couple days ago). He had 10 apnea spells last night, and they're hoping it has to do with his low red blood cell count, which the blood transfusion will take care of. He got another picc line put in today, and is pretty much prepped to get surgery on Tuesday. *sigh*

Lets all keep praying and praying for our little warrior and his mommy and daddy! I just feel guilty sometimes when I go about my simple peaceful life and then realize that they are all going through so much everyday. I so wish I could do something more to ease it all for them. They are all such amazing warriors! Millers you guys are awesome! Soon this will all be behind you and Seth will be home healthy and thriving!

The Waiting game for now..

There isn't much to report... doctors want Seth to be around 5 pounds before they operate, and they'll do another upper gi before operating to make sure it hasn't fixed itself while we are waiting.
He's been moved to the nicu south (until he gets operated on, at which time he'll go back to the north until he recovers), so he has his own room, with a couch! It also has a pump in there, which has been SUPER nice for me. Jamie hated having to leave to go pump. So they're able to take the kids, and the whole family can be in there together. It's a lot less stressful, with less beeping machines and crying babies. He's started having apnea problems since he's been moved... having about 2-3 episodes per shift (which is 12 hours). Hopefully he gets passed that before coming home, because no one wants to have to bring their baby home on a monitor. But he's doing good--last night he weighed in at 3 pounds 11.9 ounces! His cheeks are getting rounder--it's so cute! Anyways, really not much to report. We should know what's going on in about 2 weeks probably... until then, we're just hanging out... *sigh*

still questions

Well no official news on surgery yet. They did another GI test on him and things have gotten worse. Instead of things moving slowly through they were unable to move altogether. He is definitely getting surger the doctor is jut not sure when. He is not an emergency case so there is no real bug rush but it would be nice to have it over with and to know that little Seth will be able to digest his own food soon! So much uncertainty! Can you even imagine going throug this?! Jamie and Drew you guys are for sure still in all of our prayers! You guys are the first thing Libby says when she says her prayers, "please bless Jamie and her baby"... And Seth?! Way to learn patience at such an early age! It takes us all a lifetime to learn it and you are learning it now! Keep up the patience. Everything is going to work out we just know it! We love you!!!

The results are...

Well, the endoscopy didn't show anything. They can't see an opening out of his stomach, but they're not sure if the opening is really small, or if there is none. Looks like he'll definitely be going in for surgery, but the specialists are still discussing what kind of surgery it will be, etc. They would like to do it laparoscopically, but not sure if that's an option yet. They might do another upper gi test to see if things are still moving through, or if they've stopped altogether. We should know more sometime early this next week.... They know where the problem is they are just not sure what the problem is. The plan for now is a somewhat 'blind' surgery. Hopefully they will figure it all out and fix it and then we will just play the waiting game as he gets bigger and bigger and then he will get to come home! Good luck docs! Can't wait to hear that the problem is all fixed!!!

It's Camera Time!

Smile insides! You are about to be on camera! So tomorrow morning they are going to do an endoscopy to try and see what is up. An endoscopy is when they put a camera down little warrior's throat to see what is going on! The poor guy! Can you imagine?! But hopefully they will find out what is up and either be able to fix it then and there or schedule surgery to fix it up! Good luck little Seth! Hopefully answers will be had soon! Keep praying!!!

that darn pyloris!

Oh wow! Does this little guy still have battle after battle to conquer with the nurses and doctors and mommy and daddy to be his fellow soldiers! They have stopped pulling stuff out of his stomach for a day to see what would happen, and his stomach became really bloated which means NOTHING is getting out of it anymore including the air that he sucks in. Poor little guy! Can you even imagine having to go through this yourself?! Ugh! So they did another ultrasound this afternoon, and his doctor requested a very specific radiologist to do it! They have found that the problem is in his pyloris. It is between the stomach and small intestines connecting the two. You know I took a full year of Anatomy and Physiology in college and I could not have told you where the pyloris is! Anyways. The now know the problem area which is great they jsut have to figure out the cause! Good luck doctors! I think we all need to begin to direct our prayers to not only little Seth and family but to those who care for him and need to figure out what is wrong and then how to fix it! Oh the poor little fella! They have put him on some antibiotics to see if they may help some. His white blood cells were a bit high. Keep on fighting little Seth! Be patient! Things will work out! The docs WILL figure it all out and will figure how to fix you so that you can go home and be with mommy and daddy ASAP! Not to mention your incredibly awesome brother and sister who are dying to play with you! Love you little Seth! Love you Jamie and Drew! You are all in our prayers!

Little Warrior....keep on fighting!

With preemies you just never know from minute to minute day to day how they might be doing. Just because yesterday Seth did great does not mean today is going to be an easy battle! Keep fighting Seth! You are in our prayers!

Seth had 2 apnea spells yesterday (stopped breathing)--the first ever in his first week of life. He hasn't had any since, so they're hoping it was just a positional thing and not an actual problem. It's a very common problem in preemies, but he hasn't experienced it until now, so.. hopefully we're not digressing. His bilirubin levels are still low, so we're keeping out of the lights still. They're still puzzled by his digestion problem, because babies his age usually digest a little better than he's doing, so they have 2 possible theories. 1) He isn't tolerating the caffeine they are giving him, which would be bad, because that helps him breathe. But that theory is not too likely, because they give caffeine to tons of babies, and most never have any reaction to it.2) He was in distress in the womb long enough that his body started sending extra blood to the brain and other essential organs to keep him alive, which stunted the development of his digestive tract. So, as always, we're still playing the waiting game in regards to his digestion. They're still pulling stuff out of his stomach, although I'm not sure if it's the same, or getting less.. it's a yellowish/orangish color, and they want it to be more of a clear color, and probably less of it. Hopefully we'll start seeing some changes soon. Other than that, he's doing well. He's just a little sad, because his tummy feels hungry. :( I'll update you as I know more. :)

So the battle continues...

So the battle continues. Seth is doing well but of course their are some glitches here and there. His bilirubin levels went up a bit again so he may have to have some more UV treatment. Isn't that weird. That UV light that just looks purplish blue to us some how has magical powers to help little yellow babies?! Technology and science are just amazing! And there is more. Okay so you know how his stomach doesn't want to digest food yet? Well I was starting to get really concerned. He is not very big! He cannot lose anymore weight. But he is actually fine. With IV's he is getting all the nutrition he needs to sustain and increase life! He will be fine and will survive while we all wait patiently for this little warriors tummy to catch up with his warrior spirit! Seriously so incredible! How grateful I am to live in this time where our babies are saved! I too had my babies c-section. I was in labor with my first for 42 very painful long hours and my body couldn't figure out how to dilate past a 7. 100 + years or so ago I and my baby would have died. But no! Now I am blessed with 3 beautiful daughters! If our bodies don't know how to do something thankfully science will pick up the slack and help us out where help is needed!

Today was a very busy day in the Miller household. Poor Jamie. She is just 1 week from her c-section and already she has thrown herself back into the busy life of a mom and church goer. She went to church yesterday. All 3 hours! Can you beleive it? I mean yes I know it was Father's Day and all but c-sections stink and the recovery stinks and the pain stinks and well...I do not think I would have returned to sitting in uncomfortable chairs for 3 hours! And then today?! She has been working hard to make Joseph's, her first born, 5th birthday a wonderful event! Oh our little Joseph is 5 already! I remember the day they found out they were pregnant with the little guy! I remember going to see him in the hospital! I remember his first birthday and how messy he was with his cake! And his first birthday presents! He got this cool shape sorter car! Probably his first car of many! I remember sitting him and my first born Liberty next to each other on their futon. He was so fascinated by her. They are 13 months and 1 day apart.

I remember his favorite blue kitty that he had to have and how tattered the thing became before he made the switch to his Curious George doll. I just love that kid! I remember happily babysitting him oh and making him a newborn outfit! It was the first piece of clothing I had ever made! And taking him into town in the back of my pink volkswagon bug and feeling bad that he had to ride in a pink car! He was my first born until my Liberty came. I remember Drew bringing him to me after I found I was not pregnant again in hopes that he would give me comfort. I sure love you Joseph! I wish we could be there to celebrate with the family! He and Liberty became such good friends and we sure miss this wonderfuly family!

Jamie and Andrew know how to make some incredibly awesome children! And Seth is of course no exception! He is amazing each and every day that he pulls through the challenges of this world! I so look forward to his future!

Jamie's home, Seth's improving!

Jamie came home on Friday June 20th. She said it was bitter sweet. It was great to be able to go home and be with her little family and not be so stuck in a bed but of course it was so sad to have to leave Seth there and be so far away! Can you imagine having to leave your brand new baby?! And not be able to cuddle with them whenever you want for the first few months?! But on the bright side at least Seth is here and doing so well considering how little and early he is!

Seth had been under UV lights for his jaundice and the good news is he no longer needs to be under the lights! You go little warrior! Way to knock that jaundice in 3 days flat! What a fighter! His stomach is not quite sure what to do with food yet though. It's understandable. It was supposed to have 2 more months to figure it all out! But with and ultrasound they were able to see that his stomach is trying hard to digest the food and doing so very very slowly. He has lost some weight. He is now 2lbs 14 oz. Prayers for his little tummy to start getting to work would be much appreciated! This little warrior I just know will figure it out all soon! Go Seth go! You have so many cheerleaders all around the world!

Andrew put up a great video on facebook. I couldn't get it to be on here but if you can check it out! The little guy is so alert and adorable! It's precious! Happy Father's Day Andrew! Your children have an amazing father! Enjoy your day!

How it all began and how we can help!

Okay so due to this blog being from a third party I will try to be as accurate with the information as possible and maybe I'll even be able to convince Andrew that he should do some posts as well! :)
K so a couple weeks ago Jamie went in to the hospital to get checked out since she had been having steady contractions for 4 hours and she was only 28 weeks along. The docs monitored her and Seth and on occasion during the monitoring Seth's heart would decelerate a bunch. This was alarming and they kept Jamie overnight for more observation. What was hoped to be one night of hospital stay turned in to 9 days. There were several times where they thought they would need to do an emergency c-section but thankfully at the time his heart would pick up again and so they allowed him to stay. In preparation for a possible early c-section Jamie received a series of steroid shots that would help his little lungs function if he needed to come into the world so soon.
Well at the end of 9 days things seemed to be going well and so they discharged Jamie with the rule of bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy and 2 doctors visits a week to keep close eye on Seth. On one of these visits Seth's heart decelerated 4 dangerous times. That was it. That was the clincher. He was not thriving in the womb he needed to come asap. So she was rushed to receive an emergency c-section. Now poor Jamie has had 2 successful vaginal births prior...she did NOT want to have a c-section but what had to be done had to be done. Thankfully they were able to do a horizontal incision instead of a vertical one (they thought they might have to do vertical due to how early he was) so this means her chances for a v-bac in the future are very high!

So on June 14th weighing at 9:48pm mere 3 lbs 4 oz. Thankfully he and Jamie are doing very well considering his almost 10 week prematurity! He was put on oxygen and had a breathing tube in but within 48 hours he no longer needed his breathing tube the little warrior and may even lose the oxygen tomorrow! He was diagnosed with jaundice yesterday and received ultraviolet treatment and already his jaundice is very much improving.

They are still working with him on digesting his food. He is fed through a tube for now and will not be able to take a bottle or nurse for at least 4 more weeks. Until then Jamie will have to pump every 3 hours or so around the clock so that he will have the food he needs. Jamie and Drew are doing pretty well with it all. They are little warriors themselves. I just cannot imagine having to go through this and I just know it is NOT easy! I want so badly to be there with them. To be there physically would just make me feel so much better but they are in Missouri and I am in Utah. With limited funds I am not able to fly out...not sure how much help I'd be once I got there anyway! I have been thinking and praying about a way I could help them. And suddenly this idea came to me. Funds are tight with them as I know they are with so many of us. They will want to go see Seth daily once Jamie is dismissed but gas money will be something they will need to come up with. Not to mention premie clothes and diapers that they will surely need once he is able to come home. I know that together we can help lift at least their financial burden a little bit. The money goes straight to Andrew's paypal account. I promise it does not go to me in anyway. Thank you for loving this family as much as I and my family do! Millers you are loved by so many! Thank you for being the amazing friends and examples that you are to us! You are in our prayers!