Benjamin Chance Porter: Day 62

Benjamin Chance is here!

As many of you know, Sherri and I recently had a new addition to our family. Benjamin Chance was born September 17, 2009 at 6:16 am. He was only 24 weeks old and weighed in at 1 pound, 5 ounces and was 12.25 inches long. Needless to say, he was extremely premature and very small. After 5 long months in the NICU, Benjamin was able to come home on February 10, 2010. Benjamin is doing great now and is moving on from his stay at the NICU. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers; we really appreciate it.

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Matthew 21:22

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Ecclesiastes 11:5

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Day 62 - Big News for Ben

Benjamin decided on early Tuesday afternoon that he has had enough of the ET tube in his mouth and pulled it out again. He was looking good and the doctors decided to try him on CPAP again. Well, he is still on it and seems to be doing pretty good so far. He is still working hard to breathe, but is no where near where he was the last time. We will have to continue watching him because he could tire himself out and may need to be put back on the ventilator, but every hour he is on CPAP is a big deal. Please continue to pray for his lungs.

Benjamin had another eye exam to check for ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity). His eyes haven't finished developing yet and at this point he does have mild ROP. They will continue to monitor his eyes and see how they develop. Right now, it could go either way; his eyes could develop correctly on their own or he could need surgery to correct the problem. He has another exam on next Tuesday, so please continue to pray that his eyes develop correctly.

Benjamin is now regulating his own temperature. Before, his isolette regulated the temperature based on his body temperature. Now, the isolette is set at a temperature and it is up to him to warm/cool himself. So far he is doing really well and they have continued to lower the temperature inside. Eventually, he will get to the point where he will get out of his enclosed isolette and will get an open one. Because he has to regulate his body temperature, he is now wearing clothes. He looks so cute with his little outfits on.

Benjamin gained weight and was up to 3 lbs, 11 ozs. Tuesday night, but because he was on CPAP and working out, he lost weight and is now 3 lbs, 9 ozs.

Please continue to keep Benjamin in your thoughts and prayers.