Category Archives: MY STORY

WE’RE FINALLY HOME!!!!

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LUKE BALDOMERO 24 WEEK PREEMIEThat’s right!!! After a 209 day journey in the NICU, Luke is now finally home!!!

When I started this blog, I had plans on writing a long post about Luke’s homecoming. We weren’t able to update the blog as often as we wished with the preparation of him coming home – but I’d like to share [what I remember now!]

 

Looking back, the thought of him coming home was so surreal. We always wanted him home with us – and to be honest, we were scared and never felt ‘ready’. We had a talk with one of Luke’s doctors and were shocked to learn that Luke would be ready in about 3 weeks!! Luke was then a few weeks post-op so after all the drama we’ve been through – it was shocking to hear that our little boy’s coming home! There were TONS of things we all needed to coordinate before his discharge and eventually I’d be sharing a lot of what I learned in the process. From that point on, it felt like we were on the phone/meetings/classes non stop while Luke continued to strengthen.

We had to complete classes like infant CPR, how to use all his equipment and how to take care of his GTube. We also had to make sure we had all the supplies needed to take care of Luke. We also had to prepare home – which we haven’t prepared for Luke ready. We were very superstitious about setting everything up!

As Dday came, Luke spiked temperatures TWICE. It almost felt like a tease  . . but it felt good to say goodbye to everyone we possibly can. Lol!! All the NICU staff [Nurses, Doctors, Admin Staff, Social Workers, Security Guards] all felt like family during our almost 7 month stay. Saying goodbye was so bittersweet because we couldn’t have a better group of family to stay by our side thru all the ups and downs. After Luke spiked a temperature the second time, we decided not to tell ANYONE outside of the NICU we were going home. We didn’t want to jinx his homecoming. . and 3rd time was a charm! It was so nice to call/text/email/instagram/facebook/facetime everyone that Luke was finally home!!

 

So far, things have been good [knock on wood]. We really miss all his Aunties and it feels like the safety cushion isn’t there – but we’ve had 7 months of training on how to take care of Luke. We don’t have the same monitors that kept up paranoid – but we’re managing. Luke’s Luke. He has his good times and he has his real fussy times. We’re tired as we expected and are really thankful that Neill’s parents took a week off to help us adjust. We’re starting to learn what he likes here at home and what he doesn’t – he absolutely LOVES watching football/baseball with daddy. I think it’s because he likes seeing all the pretty colors haha!

Taking him outside was a little bit of a challenge. So far, we went to 2 different doctor visits and the second time went a bit smoother than the first. Hopefully we’ll find our groove soon – there’s so much to lug around!! I almost died the first time!!

When Luke was discharged, he weighed 9lbs 2oz. . and yesterday he weighed 9lbs 14oz!! He managed to gain 12oz in less than a week!!

 

We’re always so thankful to hold our little miracle in the comfort of our home and thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for all the continued prayers you all have sent Luke’s way. He truly is a testament that God’s work prevails!!

 

We’ll be writing more soon!!

MY FIRST STROLL!

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I know there hasn’t been many posts [please believe we've got great news coming up!] but I couldn’t wait to share his first Sunlight Privilege with you all! We haven’t heard of outside privileges for NICU babies while still hospitalized. When we had his last meeting with his care providers, we asked if it was possible. Since Luke’s been so stable and so close to going home [hint,hint] they obliged! We were restricted to staying within the NICU perimeter and but we were able to walk out to the patient patio area!

Since learning about how cool it would be to take him out, we started to look for a stroller. It took us a lot of time researching the perfect system. We probably did more research on this than his car seat. For Luke who is oxygen dependent and has secretion problems, we knew we needed a stroller that has a bassinet, can lay flat & at an angle, easy to maneuver, light weight, can grow up with him & is an overall good investment. I remember the days when I struggled with Kailani’s stroller. We chose the Bugaboo Cameleon stroller system and was lucky to find the discontinued Brown/Green Paul Frank Fabric Fabric Set. I can talk about his stroller more – but I figured a lot of NICU/Preemie/Special Needs mama’s read this – so I thought I’d just go thru it briefly. Best investment ever! I love how it looks, how it rides and how there’s so much more room for Luke to grow in his bassinet.

 

On to the stroller ride!!

It wasn’t so exciting at first. . Luke’s been pretty fussy when not held – so to put him in an unknown territory was challenging. Luckily, there were plenty of us by his side to steer the stroller and the oxygen tank and take plenty of pictures!

I realized that this is his first “real outside experience.” The last time he left the NICU was when he was in the mini transport isolette. He really didn’t know what was going on :)

We went out around the time when Lunch was being delivered to the mommies on his floor. . . so he got to smell lunch!

After a few laps around the Mother & Baby Unit, he realized going out is a fun thing!! Here’s his I’M FREE!! face

 

And of course, a milestone isn’t complete without a photo op! Here’s Neill, Ninong Chris, Papa and Luke!

 

Thank God the weather in Walnut Creek has been so great lately – and we can’t wait to take him out for more Vitamin D!

 

MY NAME IS LUKE GERARD

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My full name is Luke Gerard Baldomero

Mommy and Daddy had the hardest time naming me. My last few weeks in Mommy’s tummy soon determined my name.

Luke - My Great Grandma Ana asked for me to be named after Saint Luke – Patron Saint of Doctors. My life was in God’s hands using my great doctors as his tool. Luke is very fitting.

Gerard – Ninang Celia & Ninong Chris sent my mommy & daddy emails about St. Gerard. The Patron Saint of Pregnant Women and Unborn Children. Auntie Celia gave Mommy a pendant and Daddy a Token of St. Gerard with prayer cards to pray each night.

MY STORY

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All babies have a story of birth, but Luke goes way before that. Here’s his timeline:

September 2011

After Uncle Andy grew his wings and flew to heaven, we were blessed with news that Neill and I were pregnant! It was very emotional to receive news of new life in a family that was still mourning a loss. We shared the news with our family and was greeted with open arms and a lot of excitement!

Michelle’s pregnancy went smooth. She didn’t have morning sickness – just a lot of strong cravings! She had a very supportive group of family & friends always ready to satisfy cravings in a heartbeat. Big Macs, Ice Cream, Lugaw, Sinigang and Chinese Food were the most requested dishes.

January 20, 2012

We went for our 20 Week Ultra Sound at Kaiser Walnut Creek. 2 hours into the procedure, Michelle was asked not to move. She was then quickly put on a gurney and was wheeled into Labor and Delivery. She was diagnosed with an Incompetent Cervix. Her Cervix was 2cm open and only had 4mm of cervix left. Her membranes were showing. She also had a common infection – so they were not able to do anything while she was infected. She was sent home that night on antibiotics & was asked to return the following Tuesday. What was once an easy pregnancy was now labeled a High Risk Pregnancy.

January 24, 2012

We saw Dr. Mohta, a Perinatologist. (A OBGYN Doctor specializing in High Risk Pregnancies). She examined to find out that labor has progressed and Michelle had lost all her cervix. The talk about terminating the pregnancy began. There was nothing she can do since there is no more cervix. They asked us to consider giving up our son since the chances of him surviving was only 1%.

We left the decision to God.

In tears, we left the doctors office to complete more labs to check if Michelle still had an infection. We then returned to speak with Maureen, a social worker, to see what options we have available if Michelle were to deliver early and the baby would not survive.

After speaking with the social worker, Dr. Mohta asked to see us again. This time, bringing in Dr. Maier, the Chief OB doc to examine Michelle. When Dr. Maier examined Michelle, he felt a cervix! There was only 4mm left, but enough to perform a cerclage! Things started looking better. We then proceeded to the Pre-Operation department to get ready for a Cerclage. A Cerclage is a procedure where the cervix is ‘sewn shut’ to prevent from further thinning and opening.

The Cerclage Surgery was a success and Michelle was then placed on bedrest for the remainder of the pregnancy.

February 7, 2012

The Cerclage was doing it’s job and Michelle’s Cervix reclosed & lengthened. On 02/07/12 at 8am, Michelle felt a big gush of liquid. Neill was at work and rushed home to go back to Kaiser Labor & Delivery. It was confirmed that Michelle’s Water Broke and Dr. McLaughlin and Dr. Maier then talked about the slim chances of prolonging the pregnancy. Michelle was 22 weeks pregnant and if she were to go into labor soon, they would not be able to save our son. Babies are not viable until after 24 weeks. With Mama [Maricor] in the room, they explained the developmental challenges there are with 24 week babies and the risks become less as the pregnancy is prolonged.

50% of babies delivered at 24 weeks do not survive

40% of the babies that do survive cannot survive without intubation, respiratory problems and developmental problems.

We only have a 10% chance to have a ‘normal’ baby at 24 weeks.

We took the 10% and gave it to GOD.

We were once again advised to discontinue the pregnancy. We could not bear to live if we decided to go that route. Whatever happens, happens for a reason. It was not our choice to give up on life still kicking in Michelle’s tummy. Where there’s heartbeat – there’s hope.

Michelle was admitted to Labor and Delivery for another night to be monitored. She was sent home the following morning still on bedrest.

February 14, 2012

Michelle was 24 weeks pregnant. We decided to take steroid shots to help develop the baby’s lungs in case she goes into labor the following weeks. She was also advised to get admitted to monitor contractions and heartbeats. We wanted to spend one last weekend at home before getting admitted.

February 20, 2012

Michelle started to feel contractions at 3am. Contractions were getting stronger and closer together. We were supposed to get admitted at 10am – but with contractions that consistent, we decided to go earlier. We left and checked in at Labor and Delivery at 6am. As soon as we were checked in, they started to monitor Michelle’s contractions. Everytime Michelle had a contraction, the Baby’s heartbeat would drop dramatically. They also found out that Michelle had another infection and would have to deliver immediately. Infections can pass onto the baby very quick.

An epidural was given just in case she would need an emergency C-Section. She was also given Magnesium via IV to help the baby. Although Michelle was having contractions, her cervix was not dilating. She was given Picotin to induce the labor.

At 3:00pm a slew of doctors rushed into the room. We had 5 different teams and 4 doctors in the room to deliver our son – the Labor & Delivery Team, our High Risk Pregnancy Team, Pediatric Team, Neonatal Intensive Unit Team and the Anesthesiologist team. Every second counted to make sure that they would be able to resuscitate the baby if needed.

Michelle was asked to push once and almost shot him out. She was then asked to push just a little bit.

At 3:08pm our son, Luke Gerard Baldomero was born. A few seconds after birth, he cried twice. That was the best tune ever! His APGAR scores were 9 & 9 and was rolled into the NICU. He weighed in at 1lb 5oz [601grams] and was 11.5 inches long.

He didn’t need a ventilator and is on CPAP with 4 assisted breaths per minute. Amazing for a 24 week baby! He’s very responsive to touches and Daddy’s Voice.