We want to thank everyone who made it to Caleb's memorial service today and everyone who sent thoughts and prayers and food and everyone who wanted to be there but couldn't. If meant so much to us to see some of the many people Caleb touched in the short time he was here.
Thank You!
Friday, April 28, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Memorial Service
Thank you everyone for giving us strength through your thoughts and prayers.
Caleb's memorial service will be Friday at 11:00 am at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs in their memorial garden.
Everyone who has been touched by Caleb is invited to his memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, we would like to make donations to help other babies and their parents. We are not sure exactly how we will be donating. We have talked about donating blankets or hats and socks to the NICUs at Egleston and Gwinnett. We've also talked about donating money to March of Dimes and Egleston. We've also talked about donating books about having a preemie to Gwinnett's and Egleston's NICUs. We just don't know what we want to do right now. We do have a savings account for Caleb. Any monetary donations we receive will go into his savings account until we decide how we want to donate the funds. Caleb also has a virtual band with March of Dimes so you can donate directly to March of Dimes in Caleb's name.
Caleb's obituary is in today's AJC.
Caleb's memorial service will be Friday at 11:00 am at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs in their memorial garden.
Everyone who has been touched by Caleb is invited to his memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, we would like to make donations to help other babies and their parents. We are not sure exactly how we will be donating. We have talked about donating blankets or hats and socks to the NICUs at Egleston and Gwinnett. We've also talked about donating money to March of Dimes and Egleston. We've also talked about donating books about having a preemie to Gwinnett's and Egleston's NICUs. We just don't know what we want to do right now. We do have a savings account for Caleb. Any monetary donations we receive will go into his savings account until we decide how we want to donate the funds. Caleb also has a virtual band with March of Dimes so you can donate directly to March of Dimes in Caleb's name.
Caleb's obituary is in today's AJC.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Caleb Robert Locke 10-10-05 to 4-24-06
Caleb died last night at 11:05.
We got a call from a surgeon at about 5:30 last night. She said Caleb had taken a sudden turn for the worse. His stomach was swollen, red, and hot to the touch. His stomach was so swollen that at one point the swelling had cut off the circulation to his legs. He was starting to have a lot of his episodes. She said they needed to do a surgery to his intestines and try to save any non-damaged parts. She said he had all the signs of having NEC. She said that if all of the intestines are damaged they will not be able to do anything and you can't live without your intestines.
We got to the hospital around 7:00. The surgeon wanted to talk to us as soon as we got there. They took us into a private conference room. We knew it wasn't good. With all of the stuff we have gone through at Egleston, this is the first time they took us to a private conference room.
The surgeon came in and said he didn't have any good news. He had been doing surgeries for 20+ years and this was the most air he had even seen in a baby. The infection some how causes air to fill up in the intestines. The air in Caleb's intestines had moved on to his liver and spleen. His intestines were completely infected. He basically had gangrene in his intestines from his stomach to his rectum. The surgeon said there was nothing they could do. There weren't any healthy parts left of his intestines. He gave us a few choices of what to do. All of the choices ended with Caleb passing away soon - probably within the night.
We called our parents and told them to come see Caleb. Cary and I went to Caleb's room to see him. He didn't look like himself. His color was off. He was cold, so he had blankets all over him. There were a million nurses in the room hooking him up to medicines to try to keep him alive until we were able to spend time with him and decide what to do.
After the grandparents got there and everyone was able to see him and spend time with him, we decided it was time to let him go. Caleb's nurse called the chaplain and Caleb was baptized. We held him for a little more. Then, we told them to take him off the respirator and turn off all of his medicines. We felt like he was already gone. He was on so many medicines. Cary held him while they unhooked him. Then Cary's mom held him (for the first time). Then I held him. The doctor came back in a few minutes later to check for his heartbeat. She looked at us and said "He is already gone." At 11:05 pm Caleb died.
Everything happened very fast. The last time he had NEC the nurses told me stories of how fast NEC usually happens. One nurse told me she was taking care of a baby who was doing great. She went back to check on him 1 hour later and he was very sick. They took him down to surgery and NEC had already killed all of his intestines. We were lucky with the first round of NEC. It moved very slowly and the surgeons where able to remove all of it. Last night, the surgeon said sometimes NEC comes back and when it does come back, it is a lot worse. That's what happened to Caleb.
Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers along the way. Caleb had a great 6 1/2 months.
We don't know what the funeral arrangements will be. That's something we've never thought about. We will let you know when we figure it out.
Please no calls or visits (except family). This is a very hard time.
We got a call from a surgeon at about 5:30 last night. She said Caleb had taken a sudden turn for the worse. His stomach was swollen, red, and hot to the touch. His stomach was so swollen that at one point the swelling had cut off the circulation to his legs. He was starting to have a lot of his episodes. She said they needed to do a surgery to his intestines and try to save any non-damaged parts. She said he had all the signs of having NEC. She said that if all of the intestines are damaged they will not be able to do anything and you can't live without your intestines.
We got to the hospital around 7:00. The surgeon wanted to talk to us as soon as we got there. They took us into a private conference room. We knew it wasn't good. With all of the stuff we have gone through at Egleston, this is the first time they took us to a private conference room.
The surgeon came in and said he didn't have any good news. He had been doing surgeries for 20+ years and this was the most air he had even seen in a baby. The infection some how causes air to fill up in the intestines. The air in Caleb's intestines had moved on to his liver and spleen. His intestines were completely infected. He basically had gangrene in his intestines from his stomach to his rectum. The surgeon said there was nothing they could do. There weren't any healthy parts left of his intestines. He gave us a few choices of what to do. All of the choices ended with Caleb passing away soon - probably within the night.
We called our parents and told them to come see Caleb. Cary and I went to Caleb's room to see him. He didn't look like himself. His color was off. He was cold, so he had blankets all over him. There were a million nurses in the room hooking him up to medicines to try to keep him alive until we were able to spend time with him and decide what to do.
After the grandparents got there and everyone was able to see him and spend time with him, we decided it was time to let him go. Caleb's nurse called the chaplain and Caleb was baptized. We held him for a little more. Then, we told them to take him off the respirator and turn off all of his medicines. We felt like he was already gone. He was on so many medicines. Cary held him while they unhooked him. Then Cary's mom held him (for the first time). Then I held him. The doctor came back in a few minutes later to check for his heartbeat. She looked at us and said "He is already gone." At 11:05 pm Caleb died.
Everything happened very fast. The last time he had NEC the nurses told me stories of how fast NEC usually happens. One nurse told me she was taking care of a baby who was doing great. She went back to check on him 1 hour later and he was very sick. They took him down to surgery and NEC had already killed all of his intestines. We were lucky with the first round of NEC. It moved very slowly and the surgeons where able to remove all of it. Last night, the surgeon said sometimes NEC comes back and when it does come back, it is a lot worse. That's what happened to Caleb.
Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers along the way. Caleb had a great 6 1/2 months.
We don't know what the funeral arrangements will be. That's something we've never thought about. We will let you know when we figure it out.
Please no calls or visits (except family). This is a very hard time.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
surgery's done
The surgeon called at about 11:30 am today. The surgery is over. Caleb did great. He is still on the respirator. They hope to get him off of it today or tomorrow.
When I got to the hospital, he was already starting to wake up. He will start feeds through his new G tube in a couple of days.
I'm going back to his room now. I'll update more later.
When I got to the hospital, he was already starting to wake up. He will start feeds through his new G tube in a couple of days.
I'm going back to his room now. I'll update more later.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Thursday
The surgery's Thursday. They want Caleb to be in optimal health for the surgery. His sodium and potassium levels where a little low. They have giving him extra sodium and potassium and now he is ready for surgery.
The surgery is scheduled for 3:45 pm, but they are going to try to get him in sooner.
The surgery is scheduled for 3:45 pm, but they are going to try to get him in sooner.
Monday, April 17, 2006
wednesday
The surgery's been moved to Wednesday. They don't have room to add him in today.
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Back to Egleston
Caleb was moved to Egleston yesterday afternoon. He is now in the Pediatric ICU. He's too old for the NICU. He is out the NICU crib and into a full-size crib. He is in a semi-private room. The room has a chair that folds out to a bed so the parents can stay there. There's also a TV, DVD player, and VCR in his room. He is scheduled to have the fundoplication and a G-tube sometime Monday. They are going to work him in to the schedule, so they don't know what time yet.
If you look close, you can see tiny Caleb in the huge crib.
Caleb was cold when he first got to Egleston, so they bundled him up. All you can see was his face and his chubby cheeks.
1/2 naked Caleb. He is now wearing size 3 diapers!
If you look close, you can see tiny Caleb in the huge crib.
Caleb was cold when he first got to Egleston, so they bundled him up. All you can see was his face and his chubby cheeks.
1/2 naked Caleb. He is now wearing size 3 diapers!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
surgery #5784930574389057890348
Ok, it's really just surgery #4.
Caleb's going back to Egleston Friday to get a G-tube and maybe probably to have a fundoplication. Basically, they will wrap part of his stomach around his esophagus. This is a common surgery for acid reflux.
The G-tube surgery is a fast surgery with just sedation. The fundoplication is a bigger surgery and Caleb would be put under general anesthesia (that means back on respirator).
Caleb is doing great. He is getting much better about stopping himself before he has an episode (knock on wood). The doctors are working hard to get him home soon!
Baby #2 is doing fine. Growing like a weed. It loves to kick my bladder. My follow-up appointment Monday went well. I can do just about anything I want. If I get tried or start to cramp, I can't do whatever I was doing anymore. I will go to the perinatalogists every 2 weeks and I will also have the regular OB appointments.
Caleb's going back to Egleston Friday to get a G-tube and maybe probably to have a fundoplication. Basically, they will wrap part of his stomach around his esophagus. This is a common surgery for acid reflux.
The G-tube surgery is a fast surgery with just sedation. The fundoplication is a bigger surgery and Caleb would be put under general anesthesia (that means back on respirator).
Caleb is doing great. He is getting much better about stopping himself before he has an episode (knock on wood). The doctors are working hard to get him home soon!
Baby #2 is doing fine. Growing like a weed. It loves to kick my bladder. My follow-up appointment Monday went well. I can do just about anything I want. If I get tried or start to cramp, I can't do whatever I was doing anymore. I will go to the perinatalogists every 2 weeks and I will also have the regular OB appointments.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
eat ice cream!
March of Dimes and Cold Stone have paired up! Today 25% of Cold Stone's profit from 1-8pm will be donated to March of Dimes.
Go enjoy some yummy ice cream!
Click here to find a Cold Stone.
So, I went and got my delicious ice cream, but my cold stone wasn't participating. Losers!
Here is another way you can donate to March of Dimes:
Hedda is walking in WalkAmerica this year (she is taking some steps for me and caleb, since we can't walk this year). You can donate to her walking team here. She is also selling raffle tickets for a convertible new bettle $25 for 6 (i think). But, you should know that if you win the car, you must give it to me. Convertibles are very good for babies. ;)
Go enjoy some yummy ice cream!
Click here to find a Cold Stone.
So, I went and got my delicious ice cream, but my cold stone wasn't participating. Losers!
Here is another way you can donate to March of Dimes:
Hedda is walking in WalkAmerica this year (she is taking some steps for me and caleb, since we can't walk this year). You can donate to her walking team here. She is also selling raffle tickets for a convertible new bettle $25 for 6 (i think). But, you should know that if you win the car, you must give it to me. Convertibles are very good for babies. ;)
Friday, April 07, 2006
finally an update
Our internet went down yesterday so I wasn't able to update!
Caleb has had a rough few days. Tuesday they started him back on oral feeds. At his 10:30 pm feeding, he choked on some of his feeding and some of the formula went into his lungs. They couldn't get him breathing enough on his own and they had to put him back on the respirator. They started him on some medicine to break up the fluid in his lungs. He will be getting a G-tube in the week or two and he will go home with the G-tube. They are going to try to take him off the respirator today. He looks great. He is acting like himself. He is annoyed to have that tube down his throat again. Good dr talked to Caleb's neurosurgeon a few days ago. They decided to leave the VAD in Caleb's head until he is about 1 year old. About 10% of the baby with grade 4 IVHs have another flare up in the first year.
Baby #2 update:
The surgery went well. I have to take it easy until my follow-up appointment Monday afternoon. They gave me an epidural and some goods drugs and I slept through most of the surgery. Everyone is spoiling me! Kim and Marie made us food. Hedda sent me flowers. Rachel took me to see Caleb since I wasn't suppose to drive. Cary has been my slave. It's great!
Oops - I forgot to mention that my mom got us food too!
Sorry I've been on percocet for 3 days!
Caleb has had a rough few days. Tuesday they started him back on oral feeds. At his 10:30 pm feeding, he choked on some of his feeding and some of the formula went into his lungs. They couldn't get him breathing enough on his own and they had to put him back on the respirator. They started him on some medicine to break up the fluid in his lungs. He will be getting a G-tube in the week or two and he will go home with the G-tube. They are going to try to take him off the respirator today. He looks great. He is acting like himself. He is annoyed to have that tube down his throat again. Good dr talked to Caleb's neurosurgeon a few days ago. They decided to leave the VAD in Caleb's head until he is about 1 year old. About 10% of the baby with grade 4 IVHs have another flare up in the first year.
Baby #2 update:
The surgery went well. I have to take it easy until my follow-up appointment Monday afternoon. They gave me an epidural and some goods drugs and I slept through most of the surgery. Everyone is spoiling me! Kim and Marie made us food. Hedda sent me flowers. Rachel took me to see Caleb since I wasn't suppose to drive. Cary has been my slave. It's great!
Oops - I forgot to mention that my mom got us food too!
Sorry I've been on percocet for 3 days!
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Caleb + 1
Caleb's doing great. Caleb hasn't had much change in the past week. I love boring days! The more boring days he has, the closer he gets to coming home! He is still having his episodes every few days. He is now up to 140 ccs of formula during the day and 170 ccs at night - all still through a feeding tube. The good doctor said Caleb isn't ready yet to try oral feeds (and if he started oral feeds and then left for a week, the other doctor would cuss him out). So, when the good doctor gets back at the end of the week, he will see if Caleb is ready to start trying oral feeds again.
You would think that having a preemie would be stressful enough for us, but no we had to add on more stress! We're going to have another baby! (If you've been reading the comments, you probably all ready figured that out.) Baby #2 is due either October 10 (Caleb's birthday) or October 16 - depending on which dr you ask. I am going Tuesday afternoon to get a cerclage and soon after that I will start getting weekly shots. Both things have been proven to prolong pregnancies. My goal is to make it to 32 weeks - anything past that will thrill me! After the surgery Tuesday, I will be on bedrest until April 10. I have no clue how strict the bedrest will be or what restrictions I will have after the surgery. I hope I will still be able to see Caleb everyday and I hope I will be able to pick him up when he comes home.
Caleb now weighs a little over 12 pounds. The other parents in the NICU call him the big baby. A 12 pound baby does look huge next to a 2 pound baby. He is now acting like an almost 3-month-old. He smiles. He watches his mobile. He enjoys being read to. He loves being held. He is getting tickle spots. He is just the greatest baby ever!
You would think that having a preemie would be stressful enough for us, but no we had to add on more stress! We're going to have another baby! (If you've been reading the comments, you probably all ready figured that out.) Baby #2 is due either October 10 (Caleb's birthday) or October 16 - depending on which dr you ask. I am going Tuesday afternoon to get a cerclage and soon after that I will start getting weekly shots. Both things have been proven to prolong pregnancies. My goal is to make it to 32 weeks - anything past that will thrill me! After the surgery Tuesday, I will be on bedrest until April 10. I have no clue how strict the bedrest will be or what restrictions I will have after the surgery. I hope I will still be able to see Caleb everyday and I hope I will be able to pick him up when he comes home.
Caleb now weighs a little over 12 pounds. The other parents in the NICU call him the big baby. A 12 pound baby does look huge next to a 2 pound baby. He is now acting like an almost 3-month-old. He smiles. He watches his mobile. He enjoys being read to. He loves being held. He is getting tickle spots. He is just the greatest baby ever!
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