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!