Home Coming

 

 

 

In true Emmett fashion, he surprised us all yet again....Doctor's did not expect him to be ready for discharge until AT LEAST 5 days post op.

 

 

 

After only 4 days post-op and 69 days in the hospital, this 9 pound (WOW) bright eyed, baby boy gets to sleep in his own bed, under the same roof as mom and dad.

 

 

What a rollercoaster ride this NICU stay has been for Ryan, Kirby, and baby Emmett. Ryan's text this morning said only a few words (in true Ryan fashion), but he was very thankful for all of the prayers for his son.

 

It is so amazing to hear their joy that they can FINALLY walk out of the hospital WITH their baby in hand. In Kirby's words, 'it is still pretty surreal'.

 

Emmett will continue to bottle whenever and however much he is able to tolerate, and then the feeding tube will be used at night to make up for the difference and ensure he receives adequate calories and fluids. He will be followed closely by his pediatrician, and receive nursing visits these first few weeks home.

 

 

Emmett's journey is now truly just beginning, and on behalf of Emmett's family, thank-YOU for walking beside us in prayer.

 

 

 

SUCCESS

Emmett made it out of a surgery like a stud. He is dealing with some expected pain, but overall did very well. So now we just wait, and see how he tolerates feeds through his new tube. Feeds started this evening at a very slow rate, and will slowly increase with time.

 

Pray for comfort for baby E during his first night post-op. His aunt Kourtney flew in today and is able to give him some extra loving during this time. What a lucky little boy!!!

 

 I will update more tomorrow.

G-DAY

IT'S finally G-DAY.

 

Emmett will go into surgery tomorrow afternoon for his g-tube placement. This is a day that is both very exciting and scary for Ryan and Kirby. No parent wants to have their child go through surgery, and Ryan and Kirby both appreciate all the prayers and support YOU continue to provide. This surgery has also been eagerly anticipated because the entire health care team caring for Emmett agrees that this procedure is what he needs to grow and develop into the healthy little boy we all want to see.

 

We need to pray for the doctors performing the surgery that their hands will be guided by God, and that they will perform this surgery to the very best of their ability. Let's pray for Ryan and Kirby that they can continue to keep their faith and hold onto their steadfast love for their little boy. Let's pray for Emmett that he will be shielded from all the risks surgery can bring, and that he will have minimal discomfort and tolerate his feeds after surgery (feed probably won't begin until at least 24-48 hours post surgery)

I think sometimes, it is easy to feel like 'this kid just can't ever catch a break'. But it is important to remember how far Emmett has come. This procedure will be a great resource for Emmett, and allow him to be a normal baby out of the hospital. I remember when Kirby lost her first son, someone posted ' God only gives us what we can handle'. Kirby responded with a very honest answer saying, 'Well, I wish He didn't trust me so much'.

Kirby, I wish I could be there to hug you and tell you.....now it is time for you to trust in HIM.

 

Let YOUR FAITH be bigger than your fears.....I speak for everyone following his story when I say that you and Ryan have been amazing with how much you advocate for Emmett on a daily basis, and how educated you have become on Emmett's needs. I have complete faith Emmett will be just fine because he has you two right by his side. And finally remember FAITH IN GOD means FAITH IN HIS TIMING. Have faith in your son, and just know that people around this country are praying for little Emmett and we all stand BESIDES you both as you patiently hold Emmett's hand throughout these next few days in his journey. 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 



 

 

 

The latest

 

The latest plan is that this Wednesday (11-27-13), Emmett will travel to a nearby hospital to perform a swallow study as a pre-operative test before placing his g-tube probably next Monday or Tuesday.

 

So after Wednesday, Emmett will be able to enjoy the holiday being cuddled by his parents and grandparents who are visiting. Ryan and Kirby obviously would rather be home this Thanksgiving, but they are making the very best of the situation and just thankful that a plan is in place and everyone is on the same page.

 

I know there are a lot of people wrapping this little babe in their prayers. So again, thank-you, for continuing to follow Emmett's Journey. He is one very special little boy and we all just want him to COME HOME.

 

I also wanted to clarify something. Emmett still takes a lot of formula by mouth, but because he was so premature he really needs to be consistent with how much and how often he eats in order

grow and develop like a term baby.

 

 

 

So when Emmett is not able to take his bottle by mouth, Ryan and Kirby give it 'by gravity' through his Nasogastric Tube (feeding tube in his nose)

 

 

 

 While most of us are filling up on big Turkey feasts this Thanksgiving, Emmett will be chilling and enjoying his own food coma. Happy Turkey Day.

 

 

 

 

FAITH

One doctor says one thing, and someone else with the same credentials says another. As a parent, I can't imagine the frustration to not have the answers about your child. I guess this is just one more reminder that WE (family, friends, or healthcare staff) are not in control. There is only ONE who knew Emmett before he had a name, and knows what the future will hold for baby E. We, as family and friends of the Corbeys, have only one option, but to continue to have faith.

 

On a good note, everyone seems to be on the same page that a PEG tube might be a really good thing for Emmett. Amongst a list of reasons why, it will ultimately be his ticket home. As of now, there is no surgery date....as Emmett decided he would complicate things a little more and forget to take breaths consistently over night.....again, a reminder that Emmett does not follow expectations....he is strong willed that is for sure!

 

He is back on a nasal cannula (a tube blowing o2 through his nose). The good news is that he is only receiving room air (the same that we all breathe), but the cannula provides a higher flow to help 'remind' and stimulate Emmett to breathe regularly. Different providers have a few different ideas as to what is causing this new problem. So the plan for now is to perform a few more tests to rule out different causes, meet with the GI doctor/ surgeon, and plan for a PEG tube.

 

On behalf of Emmett's family, we thank-you everyone who is following his story. We all appreciate that so many people are praying for baby E. Emmett has family literally around the world, so we are pretty confident our prayers will be heard.....we just have to wait and see how they will be answered.

Change of plan

During the last week, Emmett has continued to feed on and off for Ryan and Kirby. Unfortunately, he was not been able to maintain his feeding goal consistently, and so the NG ('feeding tube through his nose) was re-placed. I think we can all agree tube or no tube, this is one precious babe;)

Ryan and Kirby want nothing more for their little boy to come home, so naturally this was a little bit of a disappointment. Please PRAY for their continued trust in the doctors' caring for baby Emmett and to keep faith throughout this process.

Emmett has proven that he CAN eat, but their is still lots of questions as to why he does NOT WANT to eat....at least not  like a new born should. The doctor's are not jumping to conclusions, and they are unable to predict anything for Emmett and for his future.  Time will only tell, but as I look back on his whole journey, I am so happy we have all the time in the world with Emmett.

Because Emmett is now officially corrected to 40 weeks, the health care team has lots of expectations for him. Unfortunately, Emmett has not met all of those goals. So after careful consideration, the next big step for Emmett is to get G Tube. The goal is for Emmett to still feed by day, and then whatever fluids and/or calories he is lacking, it can be replaced through this surgically placed feeding tube over night. This sounds like a huge step, but their are some definite benefits for Emmett. Emmett will not be hooked up to machines all day. He will still get to roll around and be a normal babe. It will also barely be noticeable under his clothes. And most importantly, as long as there are no unforeseen issues with this new tube, Emmett can finally COME HOME.

Although, this is not what Ryan and Kirby may have envisioned for their baby they are both being amazing. They have done their research, and are already educating themselves on how to feed Emmett through this tube.....(some of us go to school for years to learn stuff like this....so this is impressive). The hope is that once Emmett is home, he will have a more consistent routine and learn to get all of his nutrition on his own by mouth. In the meantime, he will have a feeding tube available to assist him with his needs.

I will post more about the surgery in the next few days.

 Please continue to keep this family in your prayers.

 

Are you for real??

 

HE TOLERATED HIS GOAL FEED BY MOUTH

 

Emmett wants to know if there really was any doubt....his eyes are saying 'I look too good without all those tubes to go back now'

 

The Nurse Practioner was very pleased, and will leave the tube out for now, but watch Emmett VERY closely and assess whether the tube is necessary.

 

A little faith and a little food is all this baby needs to come HOME SOON!

 



 

Feeding Day!

Welcome Back....please excuse the lack of posts....this in no way represents all that Emmett has been up to. Emmett has been a very busy little babe learning to feed and grow.

 

It takes a lot of energy and patience (on both babe and parents) to learn to feed and take in enough calories needed to sustain his weight and his hydration. Emmett now weighs more than some babies weigh when they are first born....and he is only corrected to 38 weeks gestation.  Thanks God for chunky babies.

 

 

The doctors are happy with his weight gain, but unfortunately weight gain is not his ticket home. Emmett has to prove to the doctors that he can maintain his weight by taking 75% of his total intake BY MOUTH......not by feeding tube. Emmett has always been on his own schedule, and on behalf of Ryan and Kirby please, please, please, PRAY that Emmett will be able to reach this goal and come home soon.  

 

Tomorrow is a big day because Emmett's mom was able to convince the doctors to give Emmett a chance to prove that he will eat. Part of the problem with being in the NICU is that Emmett falls in line with all of the other preemies who must eat every 3 hours or they will loose weight and become dehydrated quickly. Kirby and Ryan are the only ones who have been by his side consistently for he last 6 weeks, and they are confident that Emmett will be able to reach this goal as long as he is able to wait and feed when he is ready (within reason of coarse). So tomorrow Emmett is due to have his NG tube changed out. The doctors will allow the NG to stay out for 12 hours, and will observe how Emmett feeds on his own. 

 

This new little family has been through enough ups and downs throughout this journey. It is time for them to all be able to be together at home under one roof.

 

Sweet Dreams Everyone...Emmett is getting some much needed rest, as he has a busy day tomorrow !

 

 

 

 

 

SURPRISE

 

 

 

 

 

 

This past week was Emmett's 'planned due date' (still 5 weeks early premature).  It is so crazy to think that Ryan and Kirby would just be welcoming their son had he decided to wait and come when we were expecting him. But no, not Emmett. Emmett loves to surprise us all. He gave his parents a BIG surprise the other day when he took an ENTIRE bottle BY MOUTH.

 

One more step closer to GOING HOME! Go Emmett Go!!!!!!!

 

Feeder & Grower

I just talked to Kirby last night and she said Emmett is up to 5 pounds 5  ounces (I can't imagine what he would have weighed if he was a term baby...WOW!) Besides getting cuter every day, he continues to improve every day learning to feed and grow.

 

It is easy to forget how far he has come because he looks like such a healthy newborn (besides all the tubes), but Emmett's grandma reminded me today that 'our little guy truly is making a miraculous recovery'. So today let's give thanks that God has chosen to bless Ryan and Kirby with this amazing little boy, and has wrapped His arms close around this family since the day Emmett was born. Please continue to pray that Emmett can tolerate feeding on his own so that he can COME HOME SOON!!!!

GUest Appearance

 

 

 

Hi Everyone! I am sorry I have not made an appearance in a few days, but I have been busy learning to eat. I think I am doing pretty good, but I hear everyone say I still need work. I really think I will enjoy it once I get the hang of it. They tell me that is all I have to learn before I can bust this joint. Pray I am a fast learner, because I get the impression mom and dad want to go home soon.

 

 

Thanks for all the prayers. Mom and dad seem to always have a smile on their face when they visit....it may be my good looks, but I think the well wishes also have something to do with it. You guys are the best!

 

Oh yeah, also some great news....I am past my birth weight at a whopping 4 pounds 13 ounces! My aunt calls me a stud, whatever that means. Anyways, I promise to post with more cute pictures, videos, and any important news on my life.

 

That's all for now,

 

Emmett Andrew Corbey

 

 

 



The little things

 When Emmett was born his right arm was injured during the trauma of his birth. The doctors were worried that there was severe nerve damage. As the bruises have healed, he has started to show movement and is slowly rebuilding strength in that arm. The fact that he is moving his arm around so much in this video is so symbolic for how far he has come. He continues to amaze all of us and overcome all obstacles. Emmett continues to remind all of us that it's the little things in life that we take for granted, but mean the most.

Go Emmett Go!!!

The doctors have told Ryan and Kirby that the biggest goal for Emmett

is to experience Skin to skin with his parents every day.

 My advice for Kirby was to enjoy this time.  I wish my kids were ordered to 'snuggle' with their mamma.  Before they know it, Emmett will be too big for this kangaroo hold and one on one cuddle time.

Although Ryan and Kirby

would rather have Emmett home with them, they are soaking in every moment they have with their little boy all while trying to manage things at home. They both are doing an amazing job under these circumstances. 

Continue to pray that Emmett remains infection free, and that he continues to tolerate his feeds. The next countdown is in about a week when Emmett

will be able to attempt to bottle.

Must Read thIs

Join Kirby and Ryan as they celebrate Great News tonight for their baby boy. The MRI did not show anything that was unexpected. Going into this test,  there were a lot of 'possibilities' that could have made this journey an even harder one for the Corbey family. So we relish in this amazing news.

Emmett still shows signs of a brain bleed, but it is not getting worse and it should eventually go away on its own. He will stay on his seizure medicine, but the doctors will not increase his dose. As he grows he will essentially 'outgrow' this medicine.

Right now he continues to get all of his feeds through a tube, and he is already at his goal. The biggest goal for Emmett, as his mamma describes, is to learn how to eat and breathe at the same time which can take some time.

On behalf of Ryan, Kirby, and both extended families, thank YOU for praying besides us for this special little boy! 

We continue to ask for prayers that Emmett remains infection free, seizure free, and continues to grow every day. Please also continue to pray for Emmett's parents. He has been blessed with two incredibly strong, patient, and hard working parents who love this little boy to the moon and back!

Happy first week birthday little man!!

It's my 1 week birthday, and I'll cry if I want to!!!

The nurse insisted that the only thing on the agenda for the day was 

No big tests for today. The MRI is tomorrow afternoon, results most likely Tuesday. Please continue to pray for the doctors to see nothing but a healthy developing brain. 

And to the end the first week of life, here is the first picture I have seen of baby Emmett wide awake

Weekend update 10-5-13

Emmett decided to start off the weekend with a bang!!

 The ultrasound taken yesterday showed improvement in his brain bleed from birth. The doctors do not think this is what caused the seizures, and I am happy to announce the medicine he is being given has stopped the seizures. The doctors told Ryan and Kirby we may never know the cause, and although frustrating, this outcome is better than a chronic condition. 
MRI is still planned for Monday, so please please 
please pray for good results....I know baby E's mom and dad are pretty anxious for this test.

Emmett is still breathing room air (no increased 02 needs) with some added flow for comfort. Emmett is also receiving caffeine through an IV (I know some of us wish we could have this). It helps stimulate his brain to help remind him to take regular breaths, a common difficulty for premies. Kirby says he is doing really well since this medication was started. 

He also continues to tolerate his feeds through a tube. The picture below makes me smile because although he is still such a peanut, he is already losing some of his 'premie' look. This boy will be a chunk in no time.....maybe this what he will inherit from his dad (Ryan was a very plump babe)

A lot of people have asked if they can send anything to Ryan and Kirby. If anyone is interested in sending anything for baby Emmett and the new parents please email me and I will give you their address. Bridget.covill@gmail.com
I know they are registered at Target. Since they did not expect Emmett to arrive this early their needs may have changed, so I know Visa gift cards or a gift card Target would be a great gift ideas!

As always, thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for Ryan, Kirby, and baby Emmett.

Finally...

Emmett gets to rest in his mommy's arms FINALLY after two full days of tests. The seizures have stopped, thank GOD. The EEG nodes were taken off today, and Emmett continues to breathe on his own with 02 for comfort. 

These proud parents FINALLY got to be discharged from the maternity wing ( continue to pray for Kirby's recovery




They now get to spend their time cuddling this sweet, handsome boy......FINALLY

" be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" Romans 12:12

MRI will be Monday

Prayers and positive news

I just talked with Kirby , and she sounded so happy to report that Emmett made a great step in the right direction and enjoyed a big FIRST today. He still has a tube in place to help the nurses suction out any secretions, but he is breathing completely on his own!!! He has tolerated this transition pretty well, but did require a little medicine to help calm him down.....(he may be tiny, but he seems pretty feisty....if he doesn't like what is being done, he will let you know).

They also were able to start feeds today for the first time, again through a tube. So far he has tolerated it. This is GREAT news.

Emmett is currently on medicine to help control his seizures, and so far it is working. The neonatologist and neurologist are working together to determine what tests need to be done to determine the cause of these seizures. They seem to have ruled out infection based on blood work. The big test (a spinal tap to test for meningitis) is on hold until Emmett's body heals from the trauma he went through during birth. The fact that the doctors are not in a rush to do this test is really good news.

So the next big test is an MRI. All the doctors are in agreement that Emmett is well enough to go through with the test. The MRI will be able to confirm whether any damage is currently present with Emmett's brain. Kirby said it perfectly, ' I have faith that the MRI will be normal, and even if something does look abnormal Emmett is still growing and developing every day so we will remain hopeful".

The biggest prayer needs at this time are for the doctors and nurses caring for Emmett, that they will continue to work diligently and communicate efficiently with each other to ensure the best care

possible for little Emmett. It sounds like Kirby and Ryan are beyond pleased with his care thus far.

We also need to pray for this MRI, which will either take place this Friday or Monday.
And finally let's pray for Ryan and Kirby that they will continue to have faith and taken one day at a time. Kirby will hopefully be discharged tomorrow, so continue to pray for her recovery as well. Emmett definitely inherited her strength! (Don't worry Ry, we know he picked up a thing or two from his daddy too) 

Meet Emmett

Emmett Andrew Corbey was born September 29th to Ryan and Kirby Corbey. We were expecting to meet Emmett early, but not this early. He surprised his mom and dad by arriving 8weeks premature weighing an astounding 4 pounds 8 ounces.

Emmett and Kirby's lives could have been very easily taken from us had Kirby not gotten to the hospital when she had. Kirby was being watched very closely because of her past medical history and the way that they lost Connor (Emmett's brother) two years ago.  So this time there was no messing around. The pain was caused by the same issue as before, a ruptured uterus. Only by the grace of God was Emmett's placenta blocking the hole at the rupture site preventing any blood loss from Kirby, and allowing the doctors time to get Emmett out safely.

From the moment he was born, he established his own rules. He continues to amaze those who meet him.

Please join me in welcoming Emmett to this world!!!

First few days

Emmett has had a busy first few days of life. His days are filled with visits with family and meeting lots of doctors involved in his care.   When Emmett was born, he was able to maintain his oxygen levels on his own, but life outside the womb is very tiresome....Emmett has a lot of fight in him, but the doctors wanted to conserve most of his energy so he now has a tube temporarily placed to help him breath. He is still breathing mostly on his own (without the help of a machine). 

Emmett's biggest challenge came when they tried to take this tube out yesterday he experienced a small seizure. The doctors are working hard to decide the best coarse for Emmett. Seizures in a premature baby can be caused from a host of different sources. The one thing we are all learning from Mr. Emmett is that things can change very quickly, so this blog will act as a way to keep everyone up to date with the latest information. The biggest indicator for how Emmett will do is time. 

Ryan and Kirby want everyone to know how much they appreciate all the messages and support. Little Emmett already has both of them wrapped around his fingers, and he insists on keeping all of their attention right now!. Today will bring some more tests and hopefully some answers as to what is causing seizures. 

Everyone who loves Ryan and Kirby naturally want to help. I will also use this blog as a way to let everyone know the best way to help. Right now there are still so many unknowns about baby Emmett.  We believe in the power of prayer, so join me in praying for comfort for Emmett's parents and continual healing for baby Emmett. Feel to post comments offering support to Ryan and Kirby, and check back later for updates.