A Late Start

This blog should have been started 15 months ago, but due to the complications of Ryan's health it has proved difficult to complete.

We will give a quick overview of the events that have taken place up to this point.

Ryan's adventure started on February 24, 2011 when mom's water broke at 22 weeks gestation. After mom was ordered to strict hospitalized bed rest for 2 weeks, Ryan decided enough was enough and was born on March 8, 2011. He was officially labeled as, what the medical field calls, "a 24 weeker".

Born 1 lb. 12 oz., Ryan overcame the slim odds of survival and was starting to grow. After 6 extensive months in the NICU, 4 surgeries and many different ventilators that helped save his life, Ryan was diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (Chronic Lung Disease) and moderate pulonary hypertension, but was still given the OK to go home.

The little guy was finally able to see what the outside world was like. He was able to stay at home for the following two months after his discharge from the hospital. Mom and Dad were just starting to figure out Ryan's routine when he turned blue in the face one night from lack of oxygen. Following a 9 hour visit to the Emergency Room, Ryan was transferred to a pediatric ICU and admitted for respiratory distress and pneumonia. This hospitalization was only 7 days.

1 more week at home and the three of us found our way back to the hospital again for respiratory distress. Again, only a 7 day hospitalization.

We were able to enjoy a two week break from any hospital when December 20, 2011 came along. Little did we know that the two week break from the hospital would be our last time our family would be at home together up to this point. For the third time now, Ryan was admitted to the hospital for respiratory distress. This hospital stay was way more intense than the two previous. There were two very close calls to Ryan's health. Both were extremely life threatening. He was able to bounce back and was able to leave the Pediatric ICU after 6 long months.

Due to the doctors wanting the best for Ryan's safety, they suggested that he be transferred to a pediatric sub-acute facility for further monitoring and lung growth.

Day 3 of the fighter trying to rest in his corner of room 122.

So far the transition has been a little rocky, but the staff is trying their best to make everything as comfortable as possible for him.

We will update with any changes to Ryan's journey. He is not quite out of the woods yet, so there should be more to come.

  - Ryan's M & D