Riley - 3 weeks
3 February 2016
?? Hello to my amazing family and brand new friends who have been cheering for me on the sidelines or being an incredible support to my mummy and daddy who are working hard to shower me in love. It's Me! Riley! ??
I'm now 3 weeks and 3 days old (although the nurses say I'm technically 39 weeks old because I arrived early). I have been working really hard to adjust to life outside of my mummy's tummy.
I was brave when I had to have surgery on my bowel (when I was 3 days old) - even though I was in theatre for almost 5 hours. I have a colostomy pouch now but my tummy feels much better and mummy and daddy have been learning how to meet my special needs.
Although mummy misses home, her and I have to stay in Hamilton because I am getting the best care here in the newborn intensive care unit at Waikato Hospital.
Because of my tummy problems (I have hirschsprungs disease) I have been fed through a nasal gastric tube since birth. Right now I am working hard to relearn how to drink with my mouth but I get very, very tired easily because my beautiful little heart also needs surgery soon.
The heart expert here at Waikato Hospital - Dr. Fraser - said my heart has to work alot harder than typical babies hearts. The equivalent of what YOUR heart would need to do if you were jogging on the spot all day long. So I need extra help with my breathing and am connected to an oxygen flow all the time.
I was losing weight so the doctor's started giving me a special type of formula which is helping me get pudgier. The doctor's say that's important so I can be strong enough to travel to Auckland for my big heart operation in March or April.
My mum was worried because I was having some trouble swallowing and breathing but the doctor's made her feel better when they told her they can teach her to help me use oxygen and a feeding tube at home after my heart surgery if I still need those things.
I am working hard to grow stronger each day so I can be with my brothers' and sisters' and meet all of the wonderful people who care so much about me and my family.
My aunty Becky and Nana Judy say I'm precious because I came into the world to unite people and bring them together.
We are ALL connected. I love you.
?? From Riley xox ??