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.
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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)