My daughter

[GunnerMax]

As only a couple of you might know, we had our first daughter 2 and a half weeks ago. She was immediately taken to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) due to a bowel blockage, known as meconium illeous (spelling). She has made no progress after 1 surgery, 1 blood transfusion, and many attempts to find a good, progressive balance with feedings. She has a micro colon (odviously a really small colon) and it is giving her big problems with the normal functions people are supposed to have. I, along with my wife, are at the naval hospital every day. The doctors suspect Cystic Fibrosis (google it) and we have no estimated time that she will come home. So, that is where we are, just to give a friendly "what's going on." I am VERY thankful that I am active duty, as I have surely racked up more than a million dollars worth of bills. Thank you tricare for being free. My wife has stopped working to be at the hospital every day, and its hitting our wallets hard, but we are thankfully staying above water. Keep our baby girl in your prayers

-Gunnermax

[ak474u]

Prayers sent, my sister and sister in law are NICU nurses, I've seen what they do for these babies, I hope everything goes well for you.

[ladyhk13]

My prayers are with you and your wife. It's always hard when you have a sick child and there is nothing you can do but sit and watch. Do you have access to a NeoNatal Massage Therapist at the unit? If you do it would be a wonderful thing to give her, it is proven that preemie/sick infants heal and do much better when they are given massage therapy. Just a thought. Maybe your wife could do it if none is available.

[IDTANDY]

Our prayers are with you and yours.I'll burn sweetgrass and sage.
I know what you're going through,spent many hours in NICU's both working and with my grandson.

[4suchatimeasthis]

As the mom of a newborn, my heart goes out to you and your wife. I can't begin to imagine what you are going through, but will say a prayer for you all.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

I'm right there with you Gunner and I have walked in your shoes. My daughter was born with complications as a premature birth, if it wasn't for the Navy, Tricare and the Good Lord I wouldn't have my daughter today. Now she's 20, college, dance and a pain in the ass but I love her just the same. I'm pulling for you more than you two know. Please feel free to holler for help, or whisper if you have to, Senior's door to the Mess is open.

Be safe............the night is your friend.

[Fatty]

Had my first addition to the family in January, prayers and more man!

[LUNCHBOX]

Sorry to hear this, hope everything works out for all of you.

[Stormfeather]

Been in those same shoes Brother. . . My son didnt win his fight, but his spirit and memory is with me at all times. I cant with honesty say Im sending prayers, Im not religious, but I am a spiritual man. Your daughter, and your family are in my thoughts this evening, and will be til she comes home to her family where she belongs.

[Sniper-T]

Sorry to hear Gunner, Thoughts and prayers heading your way!

[Echo2]

Thoughts and prayers inbound.

[eagle326]

Also keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

[bacpacker]

We are praying for you guys gunner. Let us know what else we can do. Please keep us poated when you can.

[realist]

Prayers are going out to your daughter and family.

[Willie51]

Two of us praying here for your daughter, your wife, and for you.

[Taz Baby]

Will do a full body healing sage fire tonight for your precious girl. What is her first name? Will send healing power straight to her along with prayers to you and your family.

[Grumpy Old Man]

You and your family are now in our prayer circle.

[Foulball]

Prayers and well wishes sent Gunner.

[mitunnelrat]

Prayers out, Max.

[Gearhead]

Best of luck, Gunner.

[The Stig]

As others have said, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if there's anything specific the colony can do to help you beyond that.

[Gunfixr]

I am so sorry to hear this.
Our thoughts are with you. Let me know if there's anything we can do.

[izzyscout21]

Max, let me know if you need anything.

[Evolver]

Prayers out bound for your Daughters internal workings to start working properly and one for strength for all of you.

[msomnipotent]

Your family will be in my family's thoughts.

[The Stig]

Was just thinking of ya Gunner. Your ants are here if you need us.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Hey Gunner, when you get the time, give us a SITREP. We "grown-ups" worry about ya. We're all here and ready any time any day for you and your family. God Bless you and yours.


Be safe.............the night is your friend.

[GunnerMax]

Well the feeds are progressing. We are at about 30% of her goal feeds, with her enzymes starting today. Really slow progress, but we are getting there. We figgure still a late september or october go home date

[Echo2]

Fingers crossed and prayers continuing....

Bed side (figuratively) is part of the parent duty.....but you have to let each other sneak away for some emotional recharging every once and a while (other than work)....get her an afternoon at a spa...or a afternoon at the range...whatever....gotta stay human my friend.

[bacpacker]

Glad to hear of progress Gunner. Small steps will get her there. Prayers continue.

[eagle326]

Also glad that she's progressing and every small step counts towards home coming. I ; as the rest of the colony are sending our prayers and strength to you two.
Let us know if we can be of help in any way.

[4suchatimeasthis]

Hurry for improvements, even small ones. Still praying!

And I second whoever it was that gave the advice to make sure you and your wife take some time for yourselves. Before you know it you guys will all be at home, and who knows, you might miss the days when you had a full staff of neonatal professionals to care for baby's every need, so that you could grab a cup of coffee, or whatever. It won't be long, and she will be pooing and drooling on everything, that includes you :)

[JustAPrepper]

Gunner, I'm a little late but glad to hear of improvements. Blessings to you and yours.

[IDTANDY]

Glad to hear of improvement.You and yours are in my prayers.

[helomech]

Glad to hear there are improvements. I wish you all the best.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Prayers are being answered Gunner! We'll keep praying.

[Willie51]

Glad to hear she's improving. Two here still sending out prayers.

[Katrina]

Prayers still being sent

[GunnerMax]

We are being told that if everything goes well, she can go home next week

[Echo2]

Outstanding!!!!

[bacpacker]

That is great news Gunner. We will keep praying things continue to improve daily.

[eagle326]

That's the kind of news we like to hear. Hope all goes well for all of you.

[2die4]

Hope she pulls through. My thoughts are with your family.

[msomnipotent]

Great news! Still keeping you in our thoughts.

[gunbuilder69]

I can feel the stress and emotions that are filling you and your wife through all this. Forward facing is all you can be,providing the support and spirit your wife and family need right now. My wife and I still have some difficult moments once and a while thinking of our dear Gianna,who we lost last august to ASD.
The best mind soothing thing for me was to enjoy seeing what fine souls my other 4 children have turned into. I hope you and yours can look towards an amicable future in which pragmatism and dogma both allow you accept and deal with the circumstances.
GB69

[GunnerMax]

She came home 2 days ago, and doing great. Thank you all for the prayers

[Echo2]

OUTSTANDING.....Glad to hear...:)

[bacpacker]

Awesome! That excellent news glad shes getting stronger. Prayers for you guys continue.

[Willie51]

Prayers are being answered Gunner. That is great to hear about your precious little one!!

[Taz Baby]

http://againstmybetterjudgement.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/hooray.png

http://growinprosperity.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/the-power-of-prayer.jpg

[4suchatimeasthis]

That is fantastic! Now the real fun starts :) Enjoy her being that tiny, they grow faster than the national debt!

[Katrina]

Super Dooper news. So glad she's home

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

HOO-YAH! Brother, I'm so happy for you and you wife. Love each and every moment you can. Capture every picture of that baby's face in your mind. Every second from every deployment that you are home, be the daddy you always wanted and more. One word of advice.........don't forget your MCU2-P when changing diapers! God has blessed you both. You're getting the old BrownWater RiverRat a lump in his throat remembering the day his daughter got to come home. Cherish these moments Brother..............



Be safe..............the night is your friend.

[Sniper-T]

:)

That's awesome! Congrats

[Grumpy Old Man]

The Lord works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform! She truly is a Child of God.

[GunnerMax]

So the results just came in, she has a super rare form of CF, one that 0.5% of CF patients have. Baby girl is doing great, but she is on 7 total types of meds that my wife manages. This should be the last update unless she makes a turn for the worse. Thanks again folks!

[Buddychrist]

Hey max I hope your baby gets better!

Man it's a small world! I had no idea you were on here! My mom told me about what was going on and I am so sorry that it happened man. If you need anything you know who to call.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Hey Gunner, I'm glad she pulled through, you just make sure you give time for the wife too. She'll need a break as well. Life is precious, children are even more, especially when you make them yourself. Don't post any pictures we know she's beautiful. You know how sick people are today, just being me that's all. Don't take that the wrong way. Again, you need anything you call, you know us squids still have a network and i know where you live..........he, he, he............You're in the Navy, nuff said. Be safe, all of you, you are in our prayers.

[Evolver]

Great News!!!! And I pray that when folks are done with there cheers... this thread gets shuffled to the bottom of cyberspace never to get bumped back up. :)

[Taz Baby]

Make sure you give that baby kisses from her ant family and make room for some alone time for you and your wife. If nothing else a movie night sitting on the couch in each others arms. Small stuff like that goes away way when a new baby comes into your life unless you make room for it. And yea we know she's beautiful, she is Gods Miracle baby and our angel.

[4suchatimeasthis]

Thank you for sharing! All the best to you and your family. You already got lots of great words of advice here, so all I will add is that I just might keep sending up the occasional prayer anyway. I can't help myself, I'm a sucker for babies, lol.

[bacpacker]

Our prayers continue Gunner. Thanks for the update.

[Katrina]

Gunner,
Mega prayers are sent daily.