Taylon comes home...Again!

What a week. We thought we were bringing home Taylon for good
but as it turned out we went back to the hospital for a few days. There
are many of you who are waiting for the verdict...so here it is.

Taylon has stopped breathing several times during his sleep. Primary
Children's explained this as premature apnea. As I understand it, this
happens when a premature baby is still developing and learning how to breath.
For some reason Talylon forgets and we have to help remind him what to do.
We have a breathing monitor at home that lets us know when this is happening
so that we can stimulate Taylon and get him breathing again.

Taylon's echocardiogram showed one of two things is also happening. Becuase they are near the same area, the doctor's could not tell which one is taking place. I will cut and past clips from the internet that expain the two conditions.

1) PHO- Patent Foramen ovale. "The foramen ovale is a small hole located in the atrial septum that is used during fetal circulation to speed up the travel of blood through the heart. When in the womb,a baby does not use it's own lungs for oxygen-rich blood, it relies on the mother to provide oxygen rich blood from the placenta through the umbilical cord to the fetus. Therefore, blood can travel from the veins to the right side of the baby's heart and cross to the left side of the heart through the foramen ovale and skip the trip to the baby's lungs.

Normally the foramen ovale closes at birth when increased blood pressure on the left side of the heart forces the opening to close. If the atrial septum does not close properly, it is called a patent foramen ovale. This type of defect generally works like a flap valve, only opening during certain conditions when there is more pressure inside the chest. This increased pressure occurs when people strain while having a bowel movement, cough, or sneeze.

2) ASD- Atrial Septal Defect. "What It Is -->The septum is a wall that separates the heart's left and right sides. Septal defects are sometimes called a "hole" in the heart. A defect between the heart's two upper chambers (the atria) is called an atrial septal defect (ASD).
When there is a large defect between the atria, a large amount of oxygen-rich (red) blood leaks from the heart's left side back to the right side. Then this blood is pumped back to the lungs, despite already having been refreshed with oxygen. This is inefficient, because already-oxygenated blood displaces blood that needs oxygen. Many people with this defect have few, if any, symptoms."

In 3-6 months we will need to repeat the echo cardiogram. At this time they should be able to tell us which one is taking place. If it's the PHO is should repair on it's own. If it's the ASD, Taylon will need to have surgery to repair the hole.

As for right now we wait. Taylon is still on his oxygen at home and will be for several weeks. He is starting to suck his thumb and fingers. He is starting to cry a little more letting us know when it's time to be held and eat.

The kids love Taylon. Dayton loves to give him kisses. I can't wait to see Dayton and Taylon play in just a few short months. When I look at pictures of Brigham and Calvin and Asher and Hazen...I am so excited that Dayton has a brother.

Here are a few pictures of our Hospital stay.


Taylon in his crib. This crib made him look extra small.



Grandpa Bradbury with Taylon. Grandpa came and sat with me
while the Hospital ran all the tests.




Grandpa insisted that we take a picture of the EKG.
It was amazing to see all of these electrodes on Taylon's little
body. It took longer to put on the electrodes then it did to
run the test.

I hope all is well with everyone. Let me know if you have any
questions or if you would like to stop by to see our little guy!

Becky