Oh boy... (actually GIRL) - What have I DONE???? - Page 21 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

dianethomas · 08-08-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mom2BabyNatalie

She can swallow.... and before her stitches fell apart, she could suckle pretty well... (she tried hard and got good suction... but I'm sure it's pain that would make her release and tire) so I continued to use the dropper... and today also started with a 1cc syringe.

Oh... also, it's not so much her mouth that we're concerned with... I mean, sure - if she can form her mouth properly to suckle better... that's great... but the palate is repaired and her tongue is just fine, so she could still nurse without dealing with the lip problem.... but it's her nasal passage that he wants to repair... right now, it's wide open - no protection.... once he "put her together" we were waiting for that to heal so he could then create the nasal passage, etc.

Z's nasal passage is completely open to his mouth. I can see tiny openings into his sinuses. Anything that goes into his mouth is also in his nose. I have pulled SO much stuff out of there, including a feather that was making him sneeze continuously, LOL.
The only problem we've had with that is the chronic sinus infection. He has been on an antibiotic off and on for his whole life. (fourteen weeks)

dianethomas · 08-08-2008, 08:24 PM

And, I have to tell you, you are doing a fabulous job! Keep up the good work.
PS, it wasn't my plan to keep Zacchie, either. But whatcha gonna do?

Mom2BabyNatalie · 08-08-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dianethomas

Z's nasal passage is completely open to his mouth. I can see tiny openings into his sinuses. Anything that goes into his mouth is also in his nose. I have pulled SO much stuff out of there, including a feather that was making him sneeze continuously, LOL.
The only problem we've had with that is the chronic sinus infection. He has been on an antibiotic off and on for his whole life. (fourteen weeks)

So, considering all that... wouldn't it have been better for him to have had that repaired early on? That's exactly the sort of thing (as well as aspiration pneumonia) that we are trying to prevent with Emma... (not to mention what I've heard re: long term affects of prolonged use of antibiotics - - - not that on and off for 14 weeks would be considered "prolonged use"... but I mean, throughout the future).

The needs of each baby are different I suppose.... and each surgeon has his / her own experience and views.... I feel like we're doing the right thing for Emma..... I only hope she has the strength to endure it.... and it's evident by the beautiful boy that Z is growing into, that you are certainly doing the right thing for him as well.

Beabble · 08-08-2008, 08:32 PM

Oh Dena, I am so sorry this has happened with Baby Emma tonight. My heart breaks for her. She's a fighter though, she can do this, I know she can. God didn't bring her this far to not keep her going. If I were you, I'd let the surgeons fix her to. I hope she'll be ok till the morning when the vet can see her again. Saying tons and tons of prayers. I love you Miss Baby Emma, you fight and keep on fighting, don't give up, we won't let you!! Hang in there Dena, I know it's hard, but with all the prayers and love, you, God and Baby Emma can do this together.

dianethomas · 08-08-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mom2BabyNatalie

So, considering all that... wouldn't it have been better for him to have had that repaired early on? That's exactly the sort of thing (as well as aspiration pneumonia) that we are trying to prevent with Emma... (not to mention what I've heard re: long term affects of prolonged use of antibiotics).

The needs of each baby are different I suppose.... and each surgeon has his / her own experience and views.... I feel like we're doing the right thing for Emma..... I only hope she has the strength to endure it....

Well, I won't lie, I've wondered, off and on if I've done the best thing, but I think we have done what was best for him. It just might not be what's best for Emma. You have to make that call. But don't think you won't be second guessing yourself all the way.
You are doing fine so far. I think that for anyone doing something so difficult, it would be like flying in the dark. Feel your way through, don't rush into anything, and you will make it in the end.
And BTW, it took a while to find the right tool to keep Z's cleft free of debris. Know what it is? An artist paint brush. Just the right softness, but gets all the way in there and sweeps anything out.

Mom2BabyNatalie · 08-08-2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dianethomas

Put her in a small basin, on top of a heating blanket covered with a baby blanket or small towel. Then drape another baby blanket or towel loosely over the pup. Put a heating lamp about four feet above the basin. Your hand hovering just over the pup, but under the light should feel very warm, but not hot enough to burn. Do this right away.

This is how I've been keeping Emma.... I have been wondering though, once her eyes open, won't the constant light of the heat lamp bother her?

Sunnie · 08-08-2008, 08:35 PM

Dena, you are doing a great job with Emma.. BTW.. she is hiding behind the flamingo..lol

dianethomas · 08-08-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mom2BabyNatalie

This is how I've been keeping Emma.... I have been wondering though, once her eyes open, won't the constant light of the heat lamp bother her?

Wondered the same thing, but vet told me to keep it on anyway. I think we had it on until he was six weeks old, or so. I'll have to go back and read my posts to see if I mentioned it. I don't remember if I did.

Mom2BabyNatalie · 08-08-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dianethomas

And BTW, it took a while to find the right tool to keep Z's cleft free of debris. Know what it is? An artist paint brush. Just the right softness, but gets all the way in there and sweeps anything out.

Ahhhhhh.... I don't think I would have ever thought of that!! But now that you say that, it seems almost as if that would be the obvious choice! Bet it does the job beautifully!

Sunnie · 08-08-2008, 08:41 PM

Hi Dena.. I think you must have read my post that she was hiding behind the flamingo.. I just saw you come take her out. I guess we can be good babysitters.. next time wave hi to me!! lol

dianethomas · 08-08-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dianethomas

Wondered the same thing, but vet told me to keep it on anyway. I think we had it on until he was six weeks old, or so. I'll have to go back and read my posts to see if I mentioned it. I don't remember if I did.

Okay, from the looks of it, He was somewhere around seven or eight weeks before I turned of the lamp.

Mom2BabyNatalie · 08-08-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunnie

Dena, you are doing a great job with Emma.. BTW.. she is hiding behind the flamingo..lol

hahaha... yes... she was.... she loves her snugglies.

On a good note.... she just now weighed in at 92 grams.... so... she didn't gain today, but she didn't lose either.

dianethomas · 08-08-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dianethomas

Okay, from the looks of it, He was somewhere around seven or eight weeks before I turned of the lamp.

Yeesh, I'm getting tired, and my spelling is falling apart. I'll check back in the morning.
Goodnight, sweetie. PM me if you have any questions. From the look of this thread, I'll have a lot of reading in the morning and if you ask me something on here, I don't want to miss it.
Try to get some rest, and if anyone is able to help you with a rotation, you should take them up on it.

Sunnie · 08-08-2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mom2BabyNatalie

hahaha... yes... she was.... she loves her snugglies.

On a good note.... she just now weighed in at 92 grams.... so... she didn't gain today, but she didn't lose either.

LMAO.. well Dena, that didn't last long.. it took her all of about 3 seconds to crawl right back behind the flamingo. lol

Mom2BabyNatalie · 08-08-2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beabble

Oh Dena, I am so sorry this has happened with Baby Emma tonight. My heart breaks for her. She's a fighter though, she can do this, I know she can. God didn't bring her this far to not keep her going. If I were you, I'd let the surgeons fix her to. I hope she'll be ok till the morning when the vet can see her again. Saying tons and tons of prayers. I love you Miss Baby Emma, you fight and keep on fighting, don't give up, we won't let you!! Hang in there Dena, I know it's hard, but with all the prayers and love, you, God and Baby Emma can do this together.

Tracy.... yanno' what? I think you should just pop by in the morning and you can come to the vet with us!! haha You are SUCH a beautiful presence of strength and comfort for us..... <<big hugs>> THANK YOU!!

08-08-2008, 08:24 PM	#302
dianethomas YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Millington, TN USA Posts: 471	And, I have to tell you, you are doing a fabulous job! Keep up the good work. PS, it wasn't my plan to keep Zacchie, either. But whatcha gonna do? __________________ Cricket and Zaccheus' human

08-08-2008, 08:32 PM	#304
Beabble YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,104 Blog Entries: 4	Oh Dena, I am so sorry this has happened with Baby Emma tonight. My heart breaks for her. She's a fighter though, she can do this, I know she can. God didn't bring her this far to not keep her going. If I were you, I'd let the surgeons fix her to. I hope she'll be ok till the morning when the vet can see her again. Saying tons and tons of prayers. I love you Miss Baby Emma, you fight and keep on fighting, don't give up, we won't let you!! Hang in there Dena, I know it's hard, but with all the prayers and love, you, God and Baby Emma can do this together. __________________ ~Tracy~

08-08-2008, 08:35 PM	#307
Sunnie Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: So. California Posts: 4,057	Dena, you are doing a great job with Emma.. BTW.. she is hiding behind the flamingo..lol __________________ Sonya, Owned by Ladybug, Tilly, Sunshine, Beamer, Rainbow, Sonny and Righteous RIP Sunnie (11/12/2003-7/31/2009)

08-08-2008, 08:41 PM	#310
Sunnie Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: So. California Posts: 4,057	Hi Dena.. I think you must have read my post that she was hiding behind the flamingo.. I just saw you come take her out. I guess we can be good babysitters.. next time wave hi to me!! lol __________________ Sonya, Owned by Ladybug, Tilly, Sunshine, Beamer, Rainbow, Sonny and Righteous RIP Sunnie (11/12/2003-7/31/2009)