August 13, 2008 @ 7:54 pm

On the morning of day 13 during rounds I heard the news we’d been waiting for, for awhile.  The lead resident talked about transition to home and “rooming-in” for the evening.
You couldn’t have wiped the smile off my face.  That afternoon we went back to my Aunts to make sure I had a nap to prepare for my first night as mom with Janna by my beside.
The night went extremely well.  I found Janna to be easy, just requiring patience and persistence during feeds, our nurse for the night hadn’t ever had Janna in her care before and she seemed more nervous than I felt while preparing both of us for our night together but by the end of the night and her last check-up with us in the early morning she was giving me the “thumbs up” sign and she seemed quite satisfied with my ability to care for little J outside of the hospital.
That morning during rounds the resident signed the last bit of paperwork for release and we were given our referral numbers for a pediatrician and occupational therapist in Chilliwack, her RX for meds and one last bedside visit by the Neurologist that will be following up with Janna in 3-6 months time and we were on our way.
Janna’s first day at home was very nice.  I couldn’t get used to how quiet it was after all the hospital noises were both subjected to over the last week or so.  I imagine “little J” felt much the same.   So far so good.  I’m slowly trying to work in some B-feeding attempts during her more awake feeds and while she has latched and given a few sucks I think we’re a little ways from success yet.  I’m hoping we’ll both be able to figure it out by the end of the month with the help of the public health nurse.
It’s so great to treat Janna like a regular baby for a change.  We’ll be monitoring her development carefully with the help of her Occupational Therapist to insure that she receives any help she may need quickly.
I’ll post pictures once I have the chance to upload.  Taking care of a newborn while still expressing doesn’t leave a lot of time do manage things like blogs but we’ll do our best.  Thanks to everyone for their prayers and well wishes.  I’m sure they helped tremendously.

10 Comments »

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      1. Simon Said,

August 13, 2008 @ 8:14 pm

Great news.
So happy Janna finally got to come home.
Sounds like she is doing wonderfully, you too.
Looking forward to seeing the 3 of you again soon.
Si

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      1. Pam (Pam and Brandy) Said,

August 13, 2008 @ 10:21 pm

Oh Jenn, what a fabulous update! I’m so happy for you.

((HUG)) (so hard without smileys!)

Pam

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      1. jen/peakwagger Said,

August 13, 2008 @ 10:38 pm

FANTASTIC NEWS Jenn!!!! Hope “little J” has an excellent first couple days home!

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      1. Ashley (ALuv4Labs) Said,

August 13, 2008 @ 11:08 pm

I’m SO glad to hear she’s home, Jenn!

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      1. Kathy (HunterBoozer) Said,

August 14, 2008 @ 8:55 am

Welcome home little one!!! This is fantastic news! Sounds like Little MIss J is heading in the right direction. That is awesome. Wishing you all the best,

Kathy

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      1. Patty (stargazing1113) Said,

August 14, 2008 @ 12:40 pm

wonderful news! continued prayers and good thoughts SO happy to hear little Janna is at home

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      1. Lynn Said,

August 14, 2008 @ 5:31 pm

How wonderful to hear Janna’s home with Mom and Dad where she belongs. The body was made to heal and love accomplishes much! I’m looking forward to meeting you Janna. Good work Jenn, you’re already a great MOM!

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      1. Auntie Esther Said,

August 15, 2008 @ 1:09 am

Great news to hear that your night together went well… and good that you are still trying the B-feeding… We did that when everyone else was doing bottles… B-feeding was so handy, always the right temp… and we never ran out…. and it’s such a special thing that you can do for Janna and for yourself. Have fun!!!

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      1. Janna Version 1.0 Said,

August 15, 2008 @ 6:14 pm

WHOOHOO! Getting back from a successful bomber trip to such fantastic news makes everything even better! Up for a visit in a day or two? I will be heading out of town either tomorrow or the next day.

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      1. Jeremy Said,

September 17, 2008 @ 5:29 pm

So glad to hear she finally went home and things improved through those first two weeks. Any updates? I’ve been meaning the whole time to post a comment here to tell you that my thoughts and hopes are with you and baby Janna, and haven’t remembered to, so I hope this late comment will make up for it.
Hoping for the best,
Jeremy

August 11, 2008 @ 9:40 am

Little Janna continues to show us signs that she’s improving.  The nurses have changed her feeding from a scheduled every three hours to more “on demand feeding” leaving up to 4 hours between feedings to give her a chance to tell us she’s hungry.
She seems to be able to do this well enough on her own in the late morning to early afternoon before and after that time she still seems to need help to wake-up.
Her pheno dose is gradually being moved back to her last evening feeding (11pm-12pm) so that we can let her sleep a little longer overnight and not have to struggle with feeding a sleepy baby.  We’ll need to wake her at 4-5am for the first morning feeding.
She has a definite ”wake and play” time between late morning and early afternoon.  She’s making noises and actually crying in her little way.  She’s looking around and will look straight at mom or dad or the nurse during a cuddle and feed and seems to also like staring at the overhead lights.  The nurses think she’s ready to try breastfeeding today during her more awake feeding times.  It will be great if she and I manage to move to that method of feeding as expression of breast milk via pumping isn’t all that fun and takes quite a bit of time and effort.  Perhaps one of these days I’ll find the time to add an “Adventures in Lactation” diary page to give everyone a glimpse of the little absurdities that are involved in “expressing myself”.
So we’re getting there, the only thing holding us up from release is the monitoring of her SP02 readings.  Back around 6 days ago when the pheno was still quite high in her system she had a dip in her readings just after dylantin dose which the doctors think could have been attributed to the dylantin but the policy is when this happens with a newborn or small baby they have an observation period of 7 days to insure it doesn’t happen again before releasing from hospital.

6 Comments »

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      1. Lynn Said,

August 11, 2008 @ 10:37 am

She’s so beautiful! Hopefully she’ll be breast feeding soon Jenn. You’re giving her the best by “expressing yourself”. Thinking of you daily.

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      1. Pam (Pam and Brandy) Said,

August 11, 2008 @ 2:05 pm

Sounds like she’s making lots of progress! I can’t wait to hear that you’re heading home with her.

August 9, 2008 @ 12:42 am

Today saw more improvements in Janna’s level of alertness.  She’s now looking around with those deep blue-gray newborn eyes of hers, staring at faces and at light sources overhead.  She’s also finding her voice more and more and actually had some fussy moments today.  I didn’t mind them one bit.

She had her day “10″ MRI today - they squeezed her in early as this time of year the MRI is closed for maintenence.  Wendy the specialized nurse for the Neurology team said little J was also a little fussy for her before the MRI so she took the time to feed her and settle her in a bit.

I gave Janna two feedings today and she went through them even better for me than she had in the past.  It was no longer necessary to support her chin and encourage her to latch.  She’s now seemed to figure that out on her own.  She was alert enough today to have a bit of a “playtime” consisting of just making noises with her, looking into her eyes when she stared up at me, holding her hand and giving her lots of love and cuddles.

One of the Neurologists expressed interest in following Janna’s progress after we are discharged.  He wanted to insure we have access to all of the support we require and basically said his door is always open to us.

So things look good for a discharge soon.  There are a few metabolic test results to come in and it sounds like they want to continue to observe little J a few days longer just to make sure she’s on the right dosage of anti-seizure meds (Pheno) before they send us on our way.

5 Comments »

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      1. Lynn Said,

August 9, 2008 @ 1:11 am

I appreciate this blog so much, thank you for keeping us informed Jenn and Tim. Janna looks so wonderful in your arms!

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      1. Pam (Pam and Brandy) Said,

August 9, 2008 @ 5:01 pm

I’m glad she’s showing so much progress! It would be great to have access to the neurologist - if any problems do develop you’ll be able to get help immediately!

I’m looking forward to hearing that Janna’s on her way home.

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      1. Janna 1.0 Said,

August 9, 2008 @ 6:43 pm

Janna! You look so cute and sweet and it was so lovely to meet you. I will be through Vancouver, and then Chilliwack on around the 15th and would be so tickled to see you and your ma n’ pa.

xoxoxoxoxoxooooo

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      1. Cathy (Cozncrew) from the lab board Said,

August 9, 2008 @ 8:28 pm

It is wonderful to see that there are some improvments in Janna’s level of alertness. This sounds to me like it is a good sign of things to come. I hope that things continue to go well and your sweet baby is home where she belongs.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Cathy

August 7, 2008 @ 11:43 pm

Yesterday was a tough day for the both of us.  It’s not easy to hear that your newborn child has suffered damage to her brain via an apoxic (or lack of oxygen) event.  Something you’d never think could happen in todays world but we appear to be proof that it still sometimes does.
Today was a GOOD day and we’re focussing on that and little Janna as we take time now to get to know our daughter without her IVs, brain monitoring and feeding tube.  She’s still fairly sedated.  They stopped the Dylantin but it will take awhile to have it leave her system.  Her Pheno levels are now dropping to a theraputic level and eventually when her little liver is able to metabolize it better it will not have as much of a sedative affect on her throughout the day.
I had a wonderful cuddle time with her this morning after her nurse gave her an early bottle feeding.  She is getting more and more alert and I love to see those eyes open if only half-way during a feed.  During our cuddle I had her laying down on my chest with her head resting on my shoulder positioned to see Tim in the chair opposite me so he could share in the joy of just loving her.   While we were chatting she, in that jerky newborn way, picked up her head and turned it inwards to me.  This both delighted and surprised me.  It seemed she was turing towards the sounds of her mother and that left me beaming, it’s an excellent sign and these days every “normal” newborn infant behaviour she exhibits makes my heart soar.
She finished her two o’clock bottle feed in 15 minutes which is more excellent news. She is also an easy burper and her gag reflex is good which is more “normal” good news.  I had a feeding time with her around 5 this evening and while she was able to get through most of it fairly quickly she stalled out on the last 5mls.  This was her Med feeding so we had to get as much into her as possible so we continued trying for another half hour and did get a bit more down before deciding to let it go.
Janna has wonderful nurses and I’m taking the time to learn to care for her and work with her little quirks, they are very patient and I appreciate them immensely.

7 Comments »

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      1. Shadee Said,

August 8, 2008 @ 2:31 am

Aaawww I love this post… So wonderful to read about the special bond between a mom and her new baby Jenn!! Baby Janna is doing so well, she’s an inspiration to us all

Beautiful photos, keep them coming… I’ve been checking this blog daily, wanting to know how Janna is doing, but even moreso the photos are a real bonus!

Awesome parents, Im sure Janna already knows that

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      1. Auntie Esther Said,

August 8, 2008 @ 10:30 am

Hi Tim & Jen:
So good to hear that Janna is feeding well and doing normal baby things. So good that you got to cuddle with her. I pray that she will be well enough to go home with you this week-end and that you will continue to see signs that she is a normal baby girl. I loe to see the photos too. Love to all of you!

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      1. Lynn Said,

August 8, 2008 @ 3:48 pm

I was away for two days and just catching up on your Janna Blog. I am still positive that Janna will surprise all the Doctors. So much love and prayers surround your family and these positive energies are bound to accomplish much. Take care Jenn and Tim, I hope Janna gets to come home soon.

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      1. Jimbo Said,

August 8, 2008 @ 3:49 pm

Things are looking up! Like was mentioned earlier, the brain’s very resilient at that age, so hopefully there are no lasting effects. In any event, Janna couldn’t do better for parents. Thinkin’ of you all.

Jim

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      1. Ashley (ALuv4Labs) Said,

August 8, 2008 @ 10:20 pm

The pictures are adorable…she’s absolutely beautiful! I am so thrilled to hear some of the normal developmental things happening too. I’ve been waiting to hear some of that mentioned. So glad things are looking up for you guys!!! Thanks for keeping us updated…you all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

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      1. darrenbell Said,

August 8, 2008 @ 11:23 pm

What a little sweetheart! really good to hear Janna is feeding well and responding to her mom’s voice too. Hoping you get to take her home soon and that she continues to improve. Best wishes as always.

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      1. Monica & Boris Said,

August 8, 2008 @ 11:44 pm

Yeah!! Go little Janna! She’s just as tough as her mum & dad . Thinking of you guys daily. Keep up the smiles - you’re both such positive people.

August 7th, 2008

August 7th, 2008 POST #1

I’m not quite sure how to go about writing this post, but I’ll give it a go.  Jenn and I met with the neurologist team late this afternoon for discussion on their findings with the day one and three MRI’s.  We knew that the day one MRI didn’t look as good as they had hoped.  Turns out the results from the day three MRI were even worse, which suggests that the brain trauma happened either in labour, delivery, or shortly thereafter.
Had the day three MRI seen an improvement, evidence would then suggest that the trauma happened late in pregnancy.  The bloodwork shows no sign of infection, so all anti-biotic treatments have ceased.  Dylantin dosage has also stopped and the feeding tube has been removed since she is now able to drink milk on her own; which is around 75ml per feeding, so all those tubes and IV’s are now gone.
With regard to the brain trauma, the doctors cannot pinpoint a cause, nor are they willing to pin down what kind of effect this may have on Janna’s future.  So in short, they tell us there is some extent of brain trauma, but we don’t know how it will play out in the coming months and years of her life.  So the wait and see thing is much longer now.  Who knows, there may be minimal outward effects; we just don’t know.
In looking at her and her behaviour, you’d never know there was any sort of trauma that took place.  The doctors could have told us that the MRI’s showed no signs of distress and we would have believed them.  I think the doctors are even surprised that, she’s able to feed on her own.  We have a truly wonderful nursing staff tending to Janna.  They also affirm that Janna really doesn’t show any significant signs of brain trauma, so we just have to go with what we see in her, which is actually at this time alot to go on.
Hopefully Janna will be able to go home with us this weekend or at the latest early next week.
Permalink

14 Comments »

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      1. Kristine & Todd Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 2:31 am

Sweet little Janna looks fantastic for a “sick” baby. I think she has already surprised the Dr.’s with how strong she is turning out to be, must be getting that from her strong momma. Our thoughts are with the Epp family. I will see you soon, you need anything and you just say the word.

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      1. Tracy Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 2:41 am

Well she sure looks like a beautiful baby! Thinking of you, and keeping my fingers crossed that she can go home with you soon.

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      1. Pam (Pam and Brandy) Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 6:08 am

((Hug)) Just take one day at a time. Janna’s a beautiful, strong baby who’s already shown she’s a fighter. Hopefully the effects will be minimal (if anything!)

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      1. Jill (mom2labs) Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 6:49 am

Janna is beautiful, and I will continue to keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

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      1. Carol (ChocLabOwner) Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 7:59 am

My thoughts are with you all of you during this time. Janna is a beautiful baby girl and is a strong fighter. All the best.

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      1. Dawn (DawnB) Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 8:03 am

I hope Janna comes home very soon. The brain is very resilent at this age. I hope she continues to surprise all of her doctors. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

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      1. Katherine (Morganstead) Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 9:35 am

She is so beautiful! My thoughts and prayers will be with you all in the weeks ahead.

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      1. Mick Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 9:44 am

What a beautiful baby. I wish you the best and hope that she will be home and well soon. Hang in there, we are all there with you !

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      1. Ashley (ALuv4Labs) Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 10:02 am

You guys continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope your beautiful girl just continues to prove her strength and surprise everyone, and is home with you very soon!

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      1. Hallie (Mommy's2Girls) Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 11:02 am

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and baby Janna. She is a beautiful little girl! Hope you guys can take her home soon! (hugs)

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      1. Jane Evans Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 1:53 pm

Good to hear she may be able to be home with you on the weekend! She’s beautiful!

I have been thinking what an incredible fighter she is and so I searched the web for the origin and meaning of the name Janna as I believe these things are all connected…what we name children, the day on which they were born etc….

The overall concensus is that Janna means flourishing, fruitful, garden….so something that that starts out small and sometimes under difficult circumstances but some encouragement and will of its own becomes something strong, healthy, beautiful and giving.

Looks like Janna’s got it figured out and is heading in that direction already. Sounds like she’s got a great team of support at the hospital and at home to give her the encouragement she needs to flourish.

Jane

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      1. Shayne (Herc) Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 2:10 pm

Wishing you guys all the best and keeping little Janna in my thoughts.

Shayne

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      1. Jenn (JennVT) Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 2:43 pm

She’s just lovely! You are all in my thoughts. Hope you will all be home soon! Sending you the patented Lab Board Vibes!

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      1. Kat (klr2k) Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 11:46 pm

Shes a doll….!!! Ive thought about you all every day since I first heard about this. I will continue to send my “cyber” strength and thoughts….stay strong little one!

Take care of you guys too and update when you can - I will be watching for your updates!! (hugs)

August 6, 2008 @ 12:26 am

With Janna being more alert now, she was returned to the N.I.C.U. to be monitored more closely.  Janna’s pheno levels are now more at a maintenance level (around 170), and will continue to remain on pheno for 3-6 months.  The good news about that though is that the body gets used to the pheno, so drowsiness won’t be so much of an issue in the future like it has been.
Janna opened her eyes a bit a few more times today and was displaying definite signs of hunger when it came to feeding time.  She’s now up to 35mm per feeding and can drink pretty much all of it on her own.
We still don’t have much more informaiton regarding the MRI results except that there is some concern with the results.  We are meeting with the neurologist team at 4:00 tomorrow to discuss their findings.  Another MRI is scheduled for Thursday and hopefully if all goes well, she’ll be able to go home on Saturday.
Since the bloodwork showed no signs of infection, she’s no longer on any anti biotics and her feeding tube should also be coming out shortly once they are satisfied she can feed on her own.  It’ll be nice to soon be able to hold her without all those tubes and wires attached.

10 Comments »

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      1. Sarah Woods Said,

August 6, 2008 @ 5:52 am

Fantastic News! Prayers are with you guys for continue improvement and the MRI results go well.

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      1. Pam (Pam and Brandy) Said,

August 6, 2008 @ 6:56 am

Woo Hoo!!! That’s great news. There’s a whole lot of people praying and sending positive healing thoughts for Janna. Fingers, toes and paws crossed that Janna gets to go home with you on Saturday!

Pam

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      1. Jill (mom2labs) Said,

August 6, 2008 @ 7:08 am

Great news!!

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      1. Barb V. (Barb - Lab Board) Said,

August 6, 2008 @ 9:29 am

I have had Janna in my prayers since first hearing from Jenn that she was having problems following her birth. I’ve sent her name around to many people on my prayer list, so she has had a lot of people praying for a quick recovery from her rough beginning. Can’t wait to hear that she’s home safe and sound! Barb

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      1. jen/peakwagger Said,

August 6, 2008 @ 10:04 am

That is GREAT news Jenn!

(And CONGRATS on baby Janna btw!!!)

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      1. Renee Said,

August 6, 2008 @ 10:56 am

Great news! Keep getting better, baby Janna!

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      1. Kathy (HunterBoozer) Said,

August 6, 2008 @ 2:13 pm

Jenn - wishing you, your husband and Janna all the best. I’m glad to hear things are starting to improve with Janna. You will all be in our prayers and thoughts.

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      1. Lizz (LibbyRutt) Said,

August 6, 2008 @ 7:25 pm

That is GREAT news!!! You have all been in my thoughts and prayers since I first heard about baby Janna. She sounds like a fighter! Continued good thoughts coming your way that baby Janna continues to be strong and will get to come home on Saturday! *hug* to you too Jenn!

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      1. Sarah (crznsnshine03-Lab board) Said,

August 6, 2008 @ 11:16 pm

This is great news!

Congratulations on baby Janna. She’s beautiful!

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      1. Patty (stargazing1113) Said,

August 7, 2008 @ 12:58 am

wonderful news!!! continued good thoughts and prayers for Janna and your family!

August 5, 2008 @ 12:27 am

I wasn’t at the hospital at all today, but Jenn tells me that baby Janna is much more responsive today and that she actually opened her eyes this evening.  Of course my first question to her was, “Did you get a picture?” But she did not unfortunately.
A resident at the hospital mentioned that the day 3 MRI showed something “abnormal” but wouldn’t go into detail over it.  I suppose we’ll get more details tomorrow.  There may be an intermediate MRI scan before Friday’s day 8 scan to further verify earlier findings.  I supose that a totally doped up child who had a double dose of phenobarbitol would have abnormal brain function anyway, but if you look at her, she looks to be perfectly normal and obviously a fighter, so we’re still optimistic as to her future.  Hopefully some more concrete informaiton will surface tomorrow.

6 Comments »

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      1. Debra Roberts Said,

August 5, 2008 @ 8:48 am

OMG - You all are in my thoughts and prayers….

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      1. Lynn Said,

August 5, 2008 @ 10:23 am

With all the love and care around you Janna, I too am optimistic that you will be allright. I look forward to meeting you.

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      1. Jill (mom2labs) Said,

August 5, 2008 @ 12:17 pm

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

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      1. Pam Said,

August 5, 2008 @ 6:02 pm

Lot’s of healing thoughts and prayers are being sent out for Janna. ((Hug))

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      1. Jane (lazylabs) Said,

August 5, 2008 @ 8:45 pm

Keeping Janna and you in my prayers.

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      1. vida Said,

August 5, 2008 @ 11:44 pm

Jenn, Janna, Tim - you are in my prayers.

Aug 3rd 2008

Yesterday evening it was determined that Janna’s condition had stabilised enough that she no longer needed to be in the critical care wing of the I.C.U.  She is now in intermediate care and now has her own room which is quite nice and much better suited for visiting and spending time with her.
In talking with the clinical nurses, we gained a better understanding of her present condition with regard to her medication and it’s effects.  When Janna had the initial seizure back at Chilliwack General, she was administered phenobarbitol, which is a medication with narcotic-like effects and is used to halt seizures.  This initial shot of phenobarbitol din’t stop the seizures, so a dose of dylantin was given in hopes that the dylantin would stop the seizures, as a double dose of phenobarbitol in an infant could result in stopping her breathing.  Dylantin isn’t as strong as pheno.
However the Dylantin didn’t stop the seizures, so it was decided that a second dose of phenobarbitol be given, which once administered did successfully stop the seizures, but on the other hand gave little Janna an unusually strong dosage of anti-seizure drugs.
However even with all those drugs in her system, she was ale to breathe on her own and her vital signs remained stable.  With infants especially as young as Janna, it takes a considerable amount of time for her body to be able to metabolise and get rid of the drugs in her system, so she has remained in a somewhat lethargic and sleepy state.
She is unable at this time to be able to feed naturally, so a small feeding tube has been inserted through her nose and into her stomach and is being given donor milk as Jenn wsn’t abel to express enough milk at the time.  Now that she is being fed, her body should be able to metabolize the drugs more quickly, but it will still take some time.
Due to the long weekend we still haven’t gotten the results back from the day 3 MRI, so we may not know until Monday or Tuesday with that information.  Janna is also being given anti-biotics as it is possible that the seizure may have been caused through an infection of some sort at C.G.H., but the bloodwork tests so far have all come up clean.
Jenn was discharged from the hospital this morning and is now staying at an aunt’s place about 40 blocks south in south Vancouver.

 

1. Darren Bell Said,

August 3, 2008 @ 8:24 pm

I’ve been following your blog Tim, and sure good to hear your little one is out of critical care. Hoping all these problems resolve and you two can take her home soon. Best wishes and hang in there.

 

1. Lynn Said,

August 3, 2008 @ 10:36 pm

We lit three incense sticks on the mountain and sent out prayers and good thoughts to your new family. It was nice to come home to a notice of progress.

 

1. Janna Version 1.0 Said,

August 4, 2008 @ 1:49 pm

Hi little Janna!

You take care of your pretty young self, and your lovely ma ‘n pa. Can’t wait to meet you… two days or less!

I think of you with all those handsome doctors wound around your little fingers and it makes me smile… pick out a nice one and save him for me :)

Much love and warmest thoughts,

Your great-aunty Jansy

Grandma and the gang said,

August 4, 2008 @ 10:14 pm

oh my gosh ! whata beautiful little angel, we are all thinking of you and loving you all from a long ways away but a short distance to our hearts.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! we are so proud of you, prayers and so much love always Aunt Carol,Uncle John,Grandma
Dorothy,Aunt Dianne,Adrianne and all the clan.

This blog is dedicated to updating those interested on baby Janna’s progress and health issues (great idea Jenn!). First, initial stats:

Janna Lauren Denali Epp was born on 4:50pm July 30th at Chilliwack General Hospital.  Weight was 6 lbs 14oz.  The labour and delivery itself was more or less normal but a bit on the difficult side for Jenn.  When Janna arrived into the world, the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck and was quite discoloured.  She could not breathe on her own, so the doctors had to administer Oxygen (photo 7).
She subsequently was improving with the doctors early the next morning planning on discharging both Jenn and Janna.  However at around 9:00am, Janna suffered a series of seizures for which the cause is still uncertain.  It took a fair amount of anti-seizure drugs to control this.  Subsequently it was decided that Janna and Jenn be heli-jetted to the BC Children’s hospital for further examinaiton and testing.  We spoke to a leading neurologist there who wanted to enter Janna into a test study that he was working on where newborns with such condiitons were given an initial MRI scan witihn 24 hours of birth, rather than the standard 3 days after birth.
We agreed to this, which put little Janna into a study and will receive extra care and observation by a team of neurologists who are well respected in their field.  The results of the day one MRI shows that Janna did indeed receive some level of stress to the brain, but we are still unsure how much if any damage was done and if it is permanent or what level of healing will take place. A day three exam tomorrow will hopefully bring some more light to just what happened as things settle down.
She is still quite sedated and is on anti-seizure medication and will remain that way until the doctors feel it is safe for her to reduce the medication and hopefully eliminate it.  She is responsive to touch and now has no difficulty breathing on her own.  She still has yet to be breast-fed and is getting nutrition via intravenous.  She will likely remain at BC Children’s for awhile yet as there is also most likely a day 8 MRI as well.  Jenn is currently staying at BC Children’s but will have to get a place to stay on Sunday as she will be discharged at that time.  We have some good leads for nearby accomodation.
Today’s brain activity monitor saw more activity than what was seen yesterday and seemed less lethargic, so we hold onto good news where we can.  At this point it is pretty much a waiting game to see what will happen in the future and what kind of road to recovery we can expect.  Hopefully tomorrow’s MRI will shed more light on her condition.

1. Jim Horn Said,

August 1, 2008 @ 10:28 pm

Thanks for the info, Tim. This is a great idea.

 

1. Monica & Boris Said,

August 2, 2008 @ 12:03 am

Our thoughts & prayers are with you both, and Janna. Stay strong. 

1. Jake & Phyllis Said,

August 2, 2008 @ 1:02 am

Hi…thanks for sending us the link.

1. Anita Said,

August 2, 2008 @ 1:10 am

Congratulations Tim and Jenn on the birth of your beautiful daughter. What a lovely, elegant name for your little “Epplet”. We said a prayer for all of you tonight and pray for full recovery for Janna and peace of mind and strength for you as you go down this road with your wee daughter.

Anita and Fernando 

1. Janna Version 1.0 Said,

August 2, 2008 @ 12:39 pm

Wow, Janna Version 2.0 is already far more technologically advanced than I am - glad to see she is taking her role so seriously!

What a beautiful little bairn, mum, and dad. I am aching to see the three of you… and that visit is not too far off, thank goodness. Last night I counted every last lucky star that I could - there was a lot - I will do it tonight too.

Congratulations again and again and again! What a delightful addition to an already exceedingly delightful duo,

xo, Janza 

1. Shadee Said,

August 2, 2008 @ 5:23 pm

Little (well, still smaller than me!) Shade saw the pics, said “aawwww” and asked who it was, I reminded her of our CT friends
Anyhow, our thoughts and prayers are with you three. I’ll be watching this blog (appreciate you taking the time to keep us all posted on the progress of your beautiful daughter).
Mom looks great!
Stay strong Janna, and peace be with you Jenn and Tim… 

1. Hilda Epp Said,

August 2, 2008 @ 8:58 pm

Hey Tim and Jenn,
Congratulations on your little one. What a great way to let everyone know how mom and baby are doing. Looking forward to meeting little Janna. We will continue to pray for complete recovering of both.
Hilda Epp 

1. Vanessa (GypsyRose) Said,

August 5, 2008 @ 9:51 pm

Congrats on your beautiful baby girl!!! Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts to you all.

1. Russ Sawdon Said,

August 6, 2008 @ 7:29 pm

Hi guys , great idea with the blog instead of me pestering you with emails at this trying time. With baby Janna ’s genes, I’m sure she will pull through this setback in no time at all!
I’ll be heading out of town for a few weeks soon and will look in where ever I can find a computer.
Just want you both to know you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
R.

Uncle Vic and Aunt Jan from Nova Scotia Said,

August 9, 2008 @ 11:01 am

Dear Tim and Jenn Congratulations! . We welcome little Janna with open arms to our family, Even though there are miles between us ~ you are in our thoughts and prayers. We so appreciate the “blog” to see your beautiful pictures and the updates. Just know that your family is thinking of you and sending those “special” angels to watch over you and little Janna. Lovingly Vic and Jan xoxoxoxox