Ecstasy Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Some of you may remember that my daughter-in-law, Shannon, was expecting another child. The pregnancy has been very difficult, especially knowing the child would have spina bifida.Jessica Lee Dolan was born this afternoon by emergency c-section weighing 2 lbs 1 oz and measuring 14-1/2 ins!!! She is alive, fighting, and holding her own at this time! All of her vitals are completely stable. The amazing thing is that we can touch her feet and she recoils (she has feeling) and she can fully extend her legs (she has movement in a gravity environment). There may be a weakness but she definitely is NOT paralyzed!!! Her bladder is working as well which is not always the case with these children.She has been transferred to Children's Memorial Hopsital in Chicago who are experts in surgeries for spina bifida. She may be having her spinal surgery to close the gap tomorrow but we're still waiting for final confirmation. I'll be going with Shaun tomorrow to see her and to help with paperwork and if the surgery will take place near the time we're there we'll stay through it. If you would be kind enough to throw a few prayers her way for the next few days we'd be most grateful. I'll let you now how things turn out but for tonight we're celebrating our tough little titanium rose!!!P.S Shannon had absolutely NO complications and is recovering comfortably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Kathy Lee- I will add my prayer for Jessica. Glad Shannon came through well. Hope all continues to go well but premies can be a rollercoaster ride as they recover. Take care of yourself and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dianed Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Congrats Grandma Kathy Lee !! A little pink bundle of joy just in time for Christmas !!! How wonderful !! My prayers are with you and your family that she will continue to grow stronger each and every day. Diane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bessieboo Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Babies are miracles. We will all keep praying for more blessings for Jessica. Congratulations Grandma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzza Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Granma Kathy Lee... What a nice ring that has too it...And we are so pleased things have turned out as well as they have Muzza and Kiwi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordharris Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Mrs.Lee, You know, the baby will be your sunshine for many people ahead, that special girl will also bring more laughter to all. god bless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlene Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Kathy Lee, thank you for sharing the wonderful news of your sweet baby granddaugher's arrival!! I'll be saying some special prayers for Jessica. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesberry Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Kathy Lee,Congratulations and Best Wishes to you and yours ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneG Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Congratulations Shannon, Shaun, and Kathy Lee! We'll be keeping Jessica in our prayers --what a fortunate child to be born to such a wonderful, caring family!!Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnniekNY Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Oh, happy day! Congratulations to your family and we'll be sending lots of prayers and blessings your way!Welcome baby Jessica!annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecstasy Posted December 22, 2006 Author Share Posted December 22, 2006 A special thanks to each of you for your warm wishes and prayers. They are more appreciated than I can say. I'll be sure to pass them on to the kids.Jessi had her spinal surgery yesterday and it's a miracle this child is still alive and doing better than expected! LOTS of mixed feelings in this whole process. I can't give you much info yet because she's still pretty much out of it from the anesthesia. When she regains full consciousness we should know more about her responses like legs, bladder/bowel, risk of hydrocephalus, etc... She's under the lights for jaunice and hasn't been fed because they have to wait for her bladder to kick in. She's still intubated and on a respirator but it's believed that will come out soon. Hopefully we'll know more in a day or two. In the meantime, Shannon went home today and is doing just fine.Grammy began having a good time today! I started researching preemie clothing and found hundreds of patterns online so I've already started sewing and crocheting. The clothing is too expensive for the kids (she's not even classified as a preemie but rather as a "micro-preemie" which are the 1- & 2-pounders.) I'm working on something they can put on her on Christmas Day when they go to visit her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecstasy Posted December 25, 2006 Author Share Posted December 25, 2006 We couldn't be having a merrier Christmas --- the news is all good so far!Jessi is awake, flapping, and kicking! They have her little legs tucked under her frog-style to keep her spine still. She's off the breathing tube and respirator. She's also off the jaundice lights. They're feeding her through a feeding tube 5 ml at a time. The catheter should be coming out soon. They were able to remove the dressing from her spine and most of the bruising has already faded. We still have a long way to go but for now we're celebrating! The whole family is going to take turns visiting with her tomorrow for Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peachie Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Kathy Lee,What amazing news! Hope all is going well for the little fighter. Sending prayers up for you and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Kathy Lee- What great news. Hope the good news keeps coming. Take care of you and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 I want to see pictures of Jessi AND these tiny little clothes that Kathy is attempting to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecstasy Posted December 29, 2006 Author Share Posted December 29, 2006 Hi there Peachie, Laura --- thanks so much for the encouragement!Tony, I'd love to send you pictures (and anyone else who might be interested!) but I don't want to take up site space. Would you like to send me your email address and I'll forward you a few?News is still good but cautious. Jessi's cath is out so the only thing left is her feeding tube. She's up to 13 ml at feeings and has gained a whole whopping ounce!!!LOL Our concern at the moment is that her head is showing signs of very slight fluid buildup. Hydrocephalus is a risk with spina bifida but she is too small for a shunt so we may be talking about something called a "resevoir" so I need to get busy researching just in case it comes to that. In the meantime we're just celebrating the rest of the news. My daughter and daughter-in-law went to visit her on Christmas Day in reindeer antlers!LOL (great photo!)As far as the clothes go, I haven't done this kind of work in a few years and NEVER anything this delicate!!! We actually found some clothes that would fit her but you'll die laughing when you find out where. I was at the craft store buying yarn for these hats and booties when Annie asked me to follow her. We found sweaters, jackets, dresses all in Jessi's size --- in the teddy bear collector aisle!!!LOL Yep, bear clothes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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