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Praetorium Honoris

Monday, November 21, 2022

Weekly Sitrep (Holiday Version)

 Well Campers, another week in the history book.  Nothing earth shattering to add to the record.  But...still some milestones passed.

Oh, yeah, like what, juvat?

Thanks for askin', Beans!

On the episode that currently occupies a large portion of our lives, LJD * is doing well and making good progress.  Little Juvat got a call from the Nurses night before last (Friday).  That's always an adrenaline raising event when one reads the incoming caller ID.  Fortunately, it was  some good news.  LJD now weighs in at 7lbs.  Given that her birth weight was 1Lb 2 Oz, that's pretty darn good news.

Thank you, Lord!

Little J and LJW's visit yesterday also provided a bit more good news.  Now, as I've said before, I'm not a Doctor, nor have I played one on TV, but the actual Doctor and the Nursing Staff have recommended a change in some of LJD's treatment.  Evidently, one of the last, but key, problems with Preemie development is lung capacity.  LJD has been on a fairly high level of supplemental O2 since birth.  And here's where my understanding of what's going on and what might really be going on may start diverging.

Basically, there are two key data points with respect to breathing.  One is the amount of supplemental (pure) Oxygen that's added to her breathing tubes.   The other is her breathing rate.  Obviously, there's a inverse relation between the two.  If there's more O2 in the air, she doesn't have to breathe as often and vice versa.

But...What the staff is recommending, and Little J and LJW have agreed to, is to reduce the supplemental oxygen level slowly and incrementally and keep a close eye on her breathing rate.  The intent here is to get her lungs to develop to the point that the breathing rate with the oxygen level in normal air (~21% O2) will be sufficient.  She's steadily moved down in % supplemental O2 from 4+ liters/minute to 3 with excursions below.  Much like any exercise, the more you do and the more you challenge yourself, the more muscle (or in this case, Lung) capability you have.  

So...We'll see.

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that LJD was starting to develop some personality and ability to express herself somewhat.  Below, is a prime example of what I mean.

Apparently, she had just discovered that diapers smell.  Bad!  But, I'm pretty sure this photo will reappear later in life (say at her engagement dinner). 

Sorry, Lord, I had to chuckle!

I have learned that sitting in a easy chair, in hospital garb, while holding an infant on your chest in a darkened room, well...

 


It's EXTREMELY relaxing and nap inducing. Fortunately, my snoring did not awaken any of the sleeping babes in the room.

So, to change the subject, juvat, how are the Christmas projects coming?

Thanks for asking, Sarge.  Not too bad.  A little behind schedule on the final project, but have passed a couple of key milestones on it.  Photos below will document the key points in each project's progress, but since a couple of Ladies in my life are known readers...well...you know...one must maintain required security levels.

MBD's present

MBD's present is ready for deployment.

Mrs J's is a little further behind, but progress is continuing.

Mrs J's present

I'm fairly happy with the final product on the first and the progress on the other.  But...Still a ways to go on the latter.  Please keep any suggestions/ideas/ID's to yourselves. While writing this post, I had to snatch my phone out of Mrs J's hands while she was helping me try to download photos for inclusion in it.  The "In Progress" pics, might would definitely have let the cat out of the bag.

Hope all y'all have a very Happy Thanksgiving.  We're celebrating it this year in College Station.  MBD and SIL have (very bravely) offered to host it.  Both sides of their family will be present.  16 Adults plus kids.  Lots of "Prep Work" going on between now and then.  Then, we'll be reciprocating with "The Gathering of the Clans" at our place in Early December.  Both events should be "Highly Entertaining". 

I hope to develop this ability at some point in my life.


 

 See you next week.

Hopefully!








*Little Juvat's Daughter, Mrs J and my second grandaughter, born 15 weeks prematurely and still in the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit in San Antonio.

34 comments:

  1. A Happy Thanksgiving to you and your clan juvat. The continued progress of LJD is most heartening and I agree that first photo is one that will never go away, eh?

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    Replies
    1. Nylon,
      Most likely....No. But, who doesn't have an embarrassing picture from their childhood hanging like the "Sword of Damocles" over their head?

      Delete
  2. I have to agree with LJD's assement of the aroma emitted from dirty diapers! I know you all are happy the hospital staff is moving treatment in the direction of getting her ready to exit the hospital. The 7 lbs. is also good news. Thansgiving wishes to the Juvat family.
    Like to report that no one or my 51 Chev. suffered any ill effects from eldest grandson sitting behind the wheel and herding the beast down the down the small roads north of the 'Burg. It was a real revelation to him to learn every vehicle doesn't have power steering, no power brakes/windows, heater doesn't work well, windshield wipers slow down/stop when you accelerate and no Bose radio speakers... not to mention no radio....and lots of judgement/coordination in getting a manual shift 6 cylinder up a fairly steep hill from a standing start. Second grandson in that crew, who also has a full drivers license, fell asleep after the turkey dinner (we celebrated early Thanksgiving with them) and TCU game, so he missed out. All in all, a great weekend with 1/4th of the family being here and good slow rain, although the amount was relativley small at 0.26".
    Cletus

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our old '69 F100 had Armstrong Steering, too. I almost lost a thumb when I got into some sand and it decided to go to lock. I just mashed the brakes and let it go. I figure it's important to feel the machine, like the old ones. All the mechanicals to move the parts talk back to you. These new fly by wire systems really insulate you from the real world. I learned to start my 74 Fury after flooding it several times. Kick it once to set the choke, turn the key, and at the first BaaaaWuhhh tickle the foot feed. She'd come alive. I miss the sound of those old high torque low speed starters on the Dodges.

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    2. Cletus,
      I learned to drive in the "hand-me-down" early '50's Ford sedan, my grandparents gave to my Dad as a second car. (Military Pay in the mid-60's, well...Sucked is the word that comes to mind). They lived in Denver at the time. Road Salt had eaten holes in the floor boards so one had to be extra careful getting in/out and where you placed your feet while riding. Think Fred Flintstone 'Toons. But, it got the job done. An Alan Jackson song comes to mind. Glad things worked out for your grandkids.

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    3. STxAR,
      My best friend in HS inherited quite a bit of money when his Dad passed. He bought a brand new 72 (I think) Dodge Charger with a 440 magnum engine. We used to ride in it between Big Spring and Lake J.B. Thomas near Snyder. As I recall, there was a very long, very straight stretch of highway between the two. Suffice it to say, that it wasn't until I got in T-38s at Laughlin that I went that fast on the ground. (No, it went faster than the T-37 did). Unfortunately, he had an accident and totaled it. Fortunately, he only had bumps and bruises and a broken leg. But...he bought a pickup as replacement. Even teenage boys can learn!

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    4. Fellow I worked with had a 69 Road Runner once. Rolled it so many times it was hardly recognizable. Told his dad he sold it. He broke a shoulder and was black and blue all over. Old daze. It is amazing that we lived through fast cars back then. A certain '79 Trans Am at 120mph on prom night comes to mind. Better to have a lot of air under you when you are passing through the sound barrier.

      Delete
    5. STxAR,
      Rumor has it that an F-15 pilot chased down an F-4 a couple of hundred miles east of Okinawa during an exercise BITD. 1.1 Mach. There's no radar altimeter in the Eagle, so he didn't know how high he was, but the big needle on the altimeter (the thousands needle) read zero. Supposedly, the ride felt very solid and there was a bit more throttle available. Fuel flow was EXTREMELY high though.

      Not that I would know any of those details. No, Sir!

      Delete
    6. What is bad is when your power steering goes into Armstrong Steering mode. Is it a busted belt or a dead power pump or something else?

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    7. Beans, You're right, BTDT. Seriously, not fun!

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  3. The look on LJD's face is priceless!

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    Replies
    1. That was taken by a NICU nurse. Soon as I saw it, I knew it's destiny.

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  4. Good news all round! And I do like that brand. VERY nice. I may send a SASE if you'd consider branding a piece of scrap for me. That would have a place of honor on the wall of fame over here. Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope the trip to and from CLL is smooth as silk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. STxAR, Thanks, did a little fine tuning on the final product, a little fine sanding and a bit of scratching with an X-Acto between the letters made the later one a bit more readable.
      Didn't know CLL at first, but...managed to figure it out.

      Delete
    2. There are those of us that think in APIs. It's just happened for far too long to stop now.

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    3. STxAR,
      BITD, I did also, but its been a while, and Easterwood Airport hasn't been military in a long time, so never had to file there. LBB on the other hand... ;-)

      Delete
  5. So LJD has a discerning sense of smell! Probably not the best fragrance due to the gainers fuel they're adding to her diet, although at 7lbs she's probably tipping the scales and inspiring the other babies. I'll keep on with the prayers, and wish you all a happy Turkey day. Lots of be thankful for.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tuna,
      Well...She IS a bit young to start enjoying the aroma of fine wine and such, and given the sanitized surfaces in the NICU, most odors are minimized. So, one must smell what one must smell.
      Yes there is a lot to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours also.

      Delete
  6. See, now, I thought that look was one of those "you wanna stick that BIG needle WHERE??" kinda looks.

    So far as napping in the NICU--well, they are dark, and you were lovely warm in your hospital gown over clothes, and having a kiddo all snuggled up on your chest is sorta like having the cat come and cuddle up...plus all the machines are beeping/whooshing along rhythmically....so makes perfect sense to me that you would be able to super-relax. Tell the truth... you were just meditating on other woodworking projects to pursue!! Right??
    Right!!

    So many things to be thankful for this year!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Suz,
      That was my first guess, when LJW showed me the pic. Then, the "Rest of the Story" was related.
      The ability to take a Nap, anywhere, anytime, any position is one of my highly trained, highly practiced, highly valued skills learned in the Air Force. One added benefit, nowadays, is the probability of being woke up by a scramble klaxon going off in your ear is significantly reduced.
      Which is good.

      Naps are excellent for pondering methods and workarounds vis a vis woodworking projects. In fact, I'm thinking about a pondering session for this afternoon.

      Yes, there are and I am...Very!

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  7. Great news on LJD, Juvat, thank you for sharing?

    Question if you know: If they are dropping 4 L/m to 3 L/m, did they give what the normal (21% O2) is expected to be in L/m?

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    Replies
    1. THBB,
      As I understand the process (and that's a BIG leap of faith), the L/m are added to the 21%. So, the ultimate goal is to get the (supplemental) L/m rate to zero. I haven't heard any mention of a L/m for an infant breathing on their own. I would think that would vary with age, birth size and a whole slew of other factors, but again...I'm not a Doctor, nor....

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    2. I can help answer that. Basically what Juvat said. Idea for her to come home is ideally to not be needing any L/min flow. And. She's now at 2.5 L/min and staying pretty steady in the 31-35%. Doing really well!

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  8. So glad to hear LJD continues to improve! We are expecting a GrandDaughter mid Dec. First girl baby in three generations.
    Her older brother was preemie and spent time in NICU; those people are Angels.
    Boat Guy

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    Replies
    1. Boat Guy,
      Best of luck with your GrandDaughter, we'll add her to the prayer list.
      Angels...Very much so!

      Delete
  9. Balanced blood gasses are essential for proper breathing. Glad LJD is reaching that balance.

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    Replies
    1. Beans,
      Several altitude chamber rides as well as VERY high intercepts of "other" objects in flight reinforce my appreciation for the balance point you make. Thanks and we are also on the second.

      Delete
  10. Good news on LJD, and yeah, planning IS kinda important for success... LOL

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    Replies
    1. Old NFO,
      Yep, that sign is prominently situated in my wood shop. Not that it's had any great preventative success yet, mind you, but hope springs eternal.

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  11. All of God's blessings for this Thanksgiving and every day.

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Just be polite... that's all I ask. (For Buck)
Can't be nice, go somewhere else...

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