New Granddaughter

[JDNSW]

This afternoon, rather unexpectedly, I became a grandfather for the fourth time, although maybe not for long. Born at 1538 by emergency caesarean, 1.21kg and reported to be "doing well" in neonatal intensive care, after 29 weeks. Mother is "as well as can be expected" but is blaming herself for things going wrong. Both are in Canberra Hospital, mum expected to be out in a week, baby will not be released until the due date (27th July) all going well.

Depending on how things go I expect to be going to Yass for an indefinite time no later than next Wednesday.

John

[Disco_owner]

Congratulation on becoming a Grand Dad for 4th Time John , :twobeers:

Hope all goes well for the Mother and a Speedy Recovery.

[Lucus]

Congratulations and i hope mum and jnr both come through okay:)

[LR V8]

Congrats John !

I'll keep your family in my prayers.

Pete

[EchiDna]

not too many problems once they get to 26 weeks these days John, my first was born at 28 weeks and was out of hospital in 6 weeks. he was just 1.16kg at birth... and no eyesight, hearing or other problems - essentially well within range for everything when he was 8 months old :)

[abaddonxi]

Phew, congratulations, 29 weeks.

Cheers
Simon

[LandyAndy]

Congradulations John.
Hope all goes well for mum and the bub,all the best.
Andrew

[incisor]

best wishes to mother and hope all goes well for the wee soul..

[ellard]

Hi there

Congradulations John - hope all is going well....

All the best

Wayne

[RichardK]

Congratulations John, I hope it all comes through OK

[cookiesa]

Congratulations our thoughts and prayers are with you (our twins were born the equivalent of 25 & 26 weeks gestation and are fine now with only minor health issues!)

[George130]

Congrats JD.
If you need anything let us know.
Hope all goes well.

[Stepho_62]

Hey JDNSW

This little ratbag was born @ 29 weeks and weighed 1138g. Now hes the coolest little guy around.

I hope you get a great result like we did.

P4090029.JPG (image) (http://bp0.blogger.com/_Tl2zEmfA4fw/R_yh7yMLX6I/AAAAAAAAAXI/0KOey4cexa8/s1600-h/P4090029.JPG)

[JDNSW]

Hey JDNSW

This little ratbag was born @ 29 weeks and weighed 1138g. Now hes the coolest little guy around.

I hope you get a great result like we did.

P4090029.JPG (image) (http://bp0.blogger.com/_Tl2zEmfA4fw/R_yh7yMLX6I/AAAAAAAAAXI/0KOey4cexa8/s1600-h/P4090029.JPG)

That's a good looking one for sure. Good chance of it surviving - after all both the parents were premature and weighed little more than this one, and that was over thirty years ago. (The three older girls were full term and had no problems).

John

[Blknight.aus]

congrats mate and tell the parents and yourself to ease up on the panic button..

Life has this nasty habit of wanting to keep a tenacious grip on itself. The little tackers got his foot in the door and hes got a bunch of people holding it open for him so the decks stacked in his favor.

[Bush65]

Congratulations John. And very best wishes for your daughter and grandchild.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

WOW John, I hope it goes well for Mum and Bub. They do amazing things with premature babies these days. :)

[Sleepy]

Congratulations John,
Best wishes, hope all goes well. :):)

[JDNSW]

Status at present - the new baby, Rachel, is still described as "very sick" but is improving rather than just holding her own or getting worse. She is no longer on a ventilator, but still has more wires and tubes than a TD5. The doctors advise that she has a 20% of brain damage and may have cerebral palsy, but this may be just giving the worst possible aspect.

I have just seen the first pictures of her. Very small, lots of wires, plenty of hair, but looks cute.

My d-i-l is up and walking around. Expecting to be out Thursday.

John

[CraigE]

John,
Congratulations and I sincerely hope all goes well. Pass on our thought from the AULRO family to your family.
CraigE

[JDNSW]

Latest news. The new baby, Rachel, had a crisis last night causing my son to rush into the hospital with the other kids just after midnight (he's still there). This morning she is in an induced coma on a ventilator and described as "stable", but with worries about blood pressure.

John

[cookiesa]

Our prayers are with you and your family. We might be a long way away but if there is anything you or they need help with let us know, I'm sure between us something can be worked out.

[EchiDna]

It can be scary John, but in the vast majority of cases it will get better quickly from between 3-10 days (so we were told when our first was born). Our son was an unbelivably good case as he was breathing by himself after 12 hours and just kept moving forwards daily. However this is not normal and you can expect many ups and downs on the road you are now on, a lot of two steps forward, three steps back kind of thing... the hospital should have some kind of support group there for families of premmie babies, it is an experience only others that have been there can relate to, so check that out if you can.

I still have vivid memories of my son with a needle in both hands, both feet, the respirator tube taped into his mouth, his body covered in sensors and the most incredible team of nurses who sat at the foot of his NICU "bed" 24 hours a day....photos of his hand next to my wedding ring where his wrist is smaller than the diameter of the ring, each joint of his fingers smaller than a grain of rice... you just feel so helpless and despairing... hence the need for some support - it should be there, for all your family

[abaddonxi]

Oh John, :(

Best wishes
Simon

[JDNSW]

I just got a call from Raymond. The baby has had a massive brain haemhorrage and they have been asked for permission to switch off life support.

John

[XSiV]

That is terrible news, all our thoughts go your way for you and the rest of your family esp. D-I-L

[Tote]

My condolences to you and the parents, it must be a terrible thing to go through.
Regards,
Tote

[cookiesa]

Terrible news, our thoughts are with you. A decsion no parent wants to ever have to make.

[ivery819]

John
Terrible news.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Peter

[Sleepy]

john,
thinking of you and your family.
life can be tough
best wishes from the sleep family

[EchiDna]

so sorry John,
will be in our prayers...

[RichardK]

John, my deepest sympathy to you and the parents

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Very very sad to hear, John.

[Bush65]

John,

I really feel for you and your family at this sad time.

[d3funct]

I'm so sorry to read this, John.

I lost my nephew at 5 months, due to development defects - sincere sympathy to you and your family.

[JDNSW]

I am going to Yass and on to Canberra today, and my d-i-l's mother is on her way from Darwin. Life support will be withrawn this afternoon or evening after we are there. I will be staying tonight in accommodation at the hospital, so will be offline, and expect to stay in Yass for at least a week, possibly longer.

John

[d3funct]

Treasure every moment with Rebecca.

She may have only graced your life for a few days, but she will always be in your memories.

[CraigE]

Bugger John.
Our thoughts are with you in this very sad trying time. Words just can not say enough. Your AULRO family is here from you. Anything you need just ask.
All our love and best wishes are with you and your family.
Craig & Mel

[George130]

Sorry to hear things have gone that way.
Offer still stands if you need anything.

[JDNSW]

I am now in Yass but will not go into Canberra tonight - switching off has been delayed until the other girls are at school tomorrow. They have been in to farewell their sister after school this afternoon.

John

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I'm sorry John,, I just dont have the words--
but I'm here,,,

[timaus13]

All our Prayers are with you and all of your family.

[LandyAndy]

So sorry to hear that John.
We are all here for you.
Andrew

[Anya45]

Oh John, cannot express how sorry we are...:(

Hayley & Peter

[JDNSW]

Rachel died this afternoon at about 2pm after life support was switched off, with her parents both present (I was minding the 2yo). She has become the first baby organ donor at Canberra Hospital. (Her grandmother died while waiting for a lung transplant).

John

[Sleepy]

vale Rachel
"from little things, big things grow"

[Blknight.aus]

urrrm...

condolences... I cant offer much else but what Ive got to offer if you need it its yours..

[rovercare]

:(:(:(

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Sincere condolences John. Congratulations on the wonderful decision to donate. That is just amazing.

[ellard]

Sorry to hear there John but congratulations on the wonderful decision to donate

All the best

Wayne & Melenee

[JDNSW]

The decision to donate was made by the mother, but approved by all members of the family. She was the first one to think of it.

There have apparently been previous cases at Canberra where parents have offered to donate their baby's organs, but until recently the hospital has not had the facilities to do so, or at least this is what we were told.

Again, thank you all for your sympathy.

John

[Scallops]

May peace be with you and family at this time, John

best wishes,

Dan.

[XSiV]

Condolences John, such a sad turn of events and such a wonderful gesture that for someone it seems there may be a good outcome. Our thoughts are with you an your family.

Josh

[ivery819]

John
Such a very brave and noble decision in terrible circumstances.
Your family not only has my sincere condolences but also my deepest admiration.
Peter

[Bushwanderer]

Hi John,
While Rachel's death is extremely sad, she not only rests in peace, but has given life to others. What a special memory,

Best Wishes,
Peter

[George130]

Sorry to hear the news. Our thoughts are with you.