Eye Exams, Shots and the Amazing Drive By

First up. Look to your right. In the blue bar. Yep, that’s it. Finally, after several near-cuss, tantrum inducing moments, a “Follow Me” form has been installed. If you would like to “subscribe” to our blog, just enter your email and you’ll get email notifications when I post new ramblings on the blog. If you ever want to “unsubscribe” (and really, let’s face it-one day you really could get sick of my constant cookie or sports references) there’s an option to do that as well. There’s no way you’ll get tired of Tucker pictures though. Thank you Libby. From Australia. For installing this super-easy-to-install-unless-your-name-is-Heather-Hucks form.

Today was the dreaded eye exam. This was Tucker’s 17th eye exam. And we all still LOATHE them. But…good news from today’s appointment. Tucker’s Stage 2 and 3 ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) has completely regressed. And best of all, we don’t have to go back for another eye exam for 6 months! Y.E.S. No more drops that make him sick. No more holding him down while he writhes and screams (today there were actually sounds coming from him that we have never heard before, he was so mad). No more 2 hour eye exams waiting for his eyes to dilate. For a whole. Six. Months. The drops, of course, made him sick tonight so he’s feeling puny but we’re glad to have so much time between the next appointment.

Our joy is somewhat short lived though as tomorrow we have his pediatrician appointment where he’ll get his 6 month immunizations. For those who have followed us since the beginning, you know how immunizations rock his world. They aren’t fun for any baby and for micro preemies like Tucker, they are even worse. Because of his lung disease, the shots will not only make him feel terrible, they also hit him where he’s weakest-his breathing. If you remember from his first set of shots at 2 months (he was only 3 pounds then) he had 16 brady/apnea events (unacceptable drops in heart rate/pauses in breathing more than 20 seconds). The 4 month shots weren’t as bad with only 7 brady/apnea events.

So, we are praying that since Tucker is bigger and stronger, these 6 month shots won’t hit him so badly. We’re taking precautions tonight and have put him back on his oxygen for the night to help build up his reserve for tomorrow. We’ll likely leave his O2 on tomorrow night as well. The side effects of the shots usually kick in about 12 hours after he gets them. We have also called in back up and one of our favorite primary nurses from the NICU, Kayla, is going to come and stay overnight with us tomorrow night to keep an eye on him and to give him extra loving.

He has done really, really well off of his oxygen all week. The red marks on his face from the tape are almost gone and we love seeing his adorable mug without the tubes. He is becoming a morning person, he smiles all over the place every day. It melts our hearts. Truly.

And finally. Today something extraordinary happened. I drove by a Chick Fil A. And didn’t get a cookie. Since the day I told you about these warm circles of goodness (which I’m pretty sure was over 2 months ago), I cannot resist them. If I have errands to run, I plan them based on the nearest Chic Fil A. I. Always. Pull. In. When we were still in the hospital I would talk Darrin in to getting 1/2 dozen. You know, to take to the nurses. They were always so sweet to not mention there were only 5 in the bag. But today, after wearing for the 167th time, one of 3 pairs of maternity jeans (so not kidding), I drove by. And drove home cookie-less. I didn’t have to hide the wrapper. I didn’t have to check my face to make sure the evidence was gone. I’m still not sure how it happened. But I think it means I’m on my way to shopping outside of the maternity section. And that is a good thing.

Please pray for Tucker tomorrow, that he would do well with his shots. That they wouldn’t set him back. That he would not have any brady/apnea events as a result of the immunizations.

We hope you’ve had a good week so far. Tucker’s got his lucky Panthers outfit ready for Thursday.

Love

Team Hucks

” I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1