Hushabye Mountain and Neverland

Lullabies softly sung to a baby are like a mother's map given to her children. When little eyes begin to close, a mother can hope to lead her child from everyday cares to a world of wonderful memories and joy. I often try to send Jack to happier places far from needle pricks and blood pressure cuffs. Places where boys can fly and ship's sails are filled by gentle breezes. Since sleep is one of the most crucial components to Jack's development, lullabies have become a staple to our daily routine.

Mid-November when Jack was born, we were advised it was a fifty-fifty chance he would survive the first night. Not only did he make it, but he sailed through his first week of life. He avoided obstacles many preemies experience, such as brain bleeds, severe PDAs (open heart valve), and collapsing lungs.
 
It was late November when Jack crashed. His heartbeat dropped significantly requiring the nurse to start CPR. Once revived, our baby wasn't breathing well. Jack was taken off the ventilator, a breathing machine that mimics a normal breathing pattern, and placed onto an oscillator, which quickly pumps oxygen into the lungs to maintain inflation, making the baby's chest vibrate. The doctor felt his "little personality" was getting in the way of allowing the machine to work to its full potential. A paralytic was prescribed for that day, taking away Jack's ability to move. Nitric oxide was also added to his breathing tube to help bind the oxygen to red blood cells.

His father and I were handed a key to a hospital room. It was suggested we not go far. We stayed three nights in the hospital.


It was discovered that Jack had come down with four infections. Three were bacterial and the fourth was fungal. Different medications were administered and Jack started to make a slow recovery. However, early December Jack's breathing began to struggle again. An x-ray revealed a large amount of atelectasis in the upper left lobe of his lungs. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and given further medication. 


Like a little pro, Jack recovered quickly. Mid-December the pneumonia and infections were entirely healed. Still, our baby was struggling with oxygenating his body. Moderate amounts of atelectasis continually grew within his lungs.


The doctor was concerned Jack's breathing issues had gone beyond normal preemie problems and was officially bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD.) Many premature babies experience this same disorder due to the vulnerability of their undeveloped lungs. It causes atelectasis build-up and can lead to asthma or severe infections, including pneumonia and RSV. The more struggles a baby had during their first few weeks of life, the more probable they are to contract BPD. The only cure is length-wise growth. Although Jack was still receiving medication, it would only help heal his symptoms. Sleep and protein became the priority.


To promote peaceful hours of rest, I found humming songs sent him quickly into a doze. It was common to find me hunched over next to his isolette, both circular flaps to the container opened. One was allowing my arm through to rub his head, and the other allowing my face next to him so he could hear my lullabies. If I'd move away Jack would stir until I'd return to the same position. All I could think was that I'd be in desperate need of a chiropractor when finally discharged!


Jack was moved to an open crib in January, which made comforting him much easier. When we were alone for a few moments I would sing him favorite tunes. His eyes would shut as his mouth would open. Deep breaths would fill his lungs, which is just what the doctor ordered. I could only hope he was escaping to sweeter places, in the meantime allowing his body to do what was needed.

At birth, Jack was twelve and a half inches long. Today he is now seventeen and a half inches long! He is also breathing successfully with a nasal cannula on a half liter of oxygen.

We are so blessed with Jack's progress! However, it's predicted we have another four to six weeks before we can bring our little boy home. So in the meantime off to Hushabye Mountain and Neverland I'll send him.

There to forget his worries, letting his mother happily do the fretting in the meantime.