Merry Christmas Everyone!

Our first Christmas with our little boy at home!!!

Mild to Moderate?

We went to the Audiologist again today and Corgan was tested in the booth without hearing aids again...he seems to respond so well now...Shane was asked to speak to Corgan through the microphone...It was so soft that I was not even sure it was turned on because to me it sounded as though I was hearing Shane softly from outside and not through the speakers BUT Corgan got so excited when he heard it...he was shrieking and he even seemed to say “dada”...

No aids...

Corgan had an appointment with the audiologist this morning. She tested him in the booth without hearing aids and he responded so well. He responded to just about every sound. He was turning his head to look at the screens in the booth...The audiologist said that going by the results from today the hearing aids are too loud. That is why he kind of freezes when he is wearing them - she originally thought maybe it was because he was hearing sounds he doesn't normally hear...She wants to test him again next week and the week after...

Proper crawl

Today Corgan did his first proper (but short) crawl...he moved forward twice :)

Cot Change?

Corgan really wants to crawl now! This morning we woke up to him on his hands and knees in his crib!!! This is the first time he's gotten into crawling position all on his own! and what a place to decide to do it!!! From tonight he is sleeping in a camp cot!! Still not ready to put him in his proper cot in his own room *blush*

Injection!

We took Corgan for his 12 month injections today. He now weighs 6kg!

Rated!

We had an appointment with the audiologist...we told her how we are feeling about Corgan's hearing loss and that we think Corgan can hear more than what she thinks...she said she believes us...She told us that Auditory neuropathy is a bit of a "grey area" in audiology...she said there are different degrees or types of it...she told us some kids cope fine without very little or no assistence from hearing aids...we were given a list of things to try with and without the hearing aids over the next few weeks...we will see her again in a months time...She also did another development assessment.... ‎the last one was 18 October...

Listening - 9 to 12 months (was 6 to 9 months last month)

Emerging Meaning - 9 months (was 3 to 6 months)

Vocal Expression - 12 months ( was 3 to 6 months)...

On the way home Corgan held his bottle and drank from it all on his own!!!

Crawl....

Corgan is trying his best to crawl...he is still trying to master the moving forward smoothly part :) He hasn't quite figured out how to move everything in order to actually move! He loves holding our hands so that he can stand...he thinks he is such a big boy!

Sick Baby...

Since yesterday Corgan has not been himself....he has also been vomiting...and his tummy is upset...we went for our first "sick" visit to Dr Egner...Corgan has gastro...he weighs 5,45 kg - so he has lost weight since his appointment last Thursday...he is miserable and definitely not himself...he looks so sad...Dr Egner gave some meds so hopefully he will be all better soon...

Appointment with Dr Egner

Today we had an appointment with Dr Egner. Corgan now weighs 5,7kg!!!! The circumference of his head has caught up to where it should be, his length is just a little behind now - getting there though....its just his weight that is quite behind now...Dr Egner was happy with everything else...Corgan was so happy, laughing and smiling while Dr Egner was busy with him...For most of the time that Corgan has been home his nose has sounded a bit congested...I'd been putting saline drops in but we told Dr Egner we didn't think the saline actually helped much...he said it could be Corgan's adenoids he checked Corgan's tonsils and said they looked a bit fleshy...he also said it could be something to do with the fact that Corgan had tubes etc in his passage ways for so long after he was born, while he was growing...he gave us some drops called Betnesol-N to use morning and night for a few days. Corgan has also had a bit of a rash on and off on his arms, I thought it may have been heat rash, Dr Egner said it looks a bit like Eczema - he gave some cream called Daktacort. We spoke to Dr Egner regarding Corgan's hearing loss...we are feeling that he hears better than what the audiologist think...we see him reacting to sounds that technically he should not hear without his hearing aids...we have also noticed that when he is wearing the hearing aids he seems to freeze as though he is in shock...Dr Egner played with a squeaky frog toy and Corgan could not turn his head fast enough to look at it...Dr Egner did that a few times and Corgan looked each time...Our next appointment is in three months time...

Corgan's First Birthday!

Corgan's time of birth was 05h23. When he woke up this morning and I checked the time it was 05h22! Weirdo :) My husband is spending the day with Corgan and I :) We went to visit my gynae, Dr Nagel. He was happy to see Corgan. Then we went to Parklands Hospital NICU to say hello and show off our one year old baby :) Going to Parklands is always an adventure - a lengthy one...so many people to say hello to...car guards, security, reception staff, cafe staff, pharmacy staff, more security, NICU, labour ward, maternity ward, management...phew...exhausting just typing all of them...after that we went to visit Dr Egner at St Augustine's...his staff told us Dr Egner had asked recently when Corgan's next appointment is :) it was nice to visit him "non-doctor/patient"...he seemed to enjoy the visit too :) In the evening I helped Corgan open his presents - not that he needed much help :) he was quite happy to rip up the paper :) we all had a nice day together :)

Cochlear Implants....

Corgan had another appointment with the audiologists today...he was tested in the booth wearing his hearing aids...he seems quite stiff when he is wearing them...afterwards the audiologists explained that they feel Corgan is not responding as well as they had hoped with the hearing aids and that he may be a candidate for Cochlear Implants...when we got home we did some reading online about the implants and we also found an audio sample...we don't want to do it...

Party Time!

We had Corgan's first birthday party today! He really loved it. He was so excited! He loved all the attention! He also loved playing with the balloons :) He chewed and sucked on a chomp for the first time...he also sucked on a marshmellow cone...we gave him a cupcake to mush up...what a mess :) All the other kiddies had so much fun playing with each other, going down the slide and swimming! We are so grateful for all our special friends and family! Thank you so much to all of you that celebrated Corgan's special day with us xxx

Photos - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150421771045540.407761.751400539&type=3

Rate This!

We had an appointment with the audiologists today. Corgan was tested in the booth again. This time his dad went in with him and I watched from outside the window. He was in a happy mood. He seemed to respond better this week. Lauren even managed to get him to turn his head to look at the screens. New impressions were taken because we need new moulds for the hearing aids because his ears have grown :) :) After that Kara did a development assessment. We were asked questions about how he plays, sounds he makes, different behaviours etc and this is how he was rated: 

Cognition/Play : 6 to 9 months

Social Interaction : 9 to 12 months

Listening : 6 to 9 months

Emerging Meaning : 3 to 6 months

Vocal Expression : 3 to 6 months

(Corgan's "corrected age" is considered as about 7 and a half months even though his real age is nearly 12 months)

We were given a few things to start this week - trying to get Corgan to respond to his name, react to music and imitate pitches

Big Top Rock for Corgan!! 4 January 2012!!

Another fund raiser at The Barnyard for Corgan Layden will!!! For bookings contact Sharon on 0735043517 or email: sharonannblanche@gmail.com

Date of Fundraiser - 04 January 2012
Tickets are R135.00

PLEASE NOTE: You must book through Sharon in order to support the fund raiser - tickets bought directly from The Barnyard do not count towards Corgan's Fundraiser.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway is going big in order to celebrate its tenth birthday as it prepares to stage Big Top Rock from 18 October to 8 January 2012. This show is bound to have audiences spellbound, as this sequel to Rock Circus takes the show’s concept to new heights.

Big Top Rock is the ultimate rock ’n roll circus, and the show includes music, aerial acts, jugglers and a circus atmosphere that will rock you like no other. After the success of Rock Circus, Big Top Rock continues to mesmerize its audiences in an action-packed show featuring an extended stage.

Hosting the show as ringmaster is the talented rock singer extraordinaire Kyle Matthews who is joined by Nadine Sisam and Petto Bock on vocals, backed up by a rocking five-piece band! The four-piece international aerial act Sircusynergy fronted by Orlando and Natalie Vargas (who blew audiences away in Rock Circus) add the icing to the cake. Sircusynergy perform a variety of acts that include the running wall, pole acrobatics, juggling, flying rope, lyra and strap acts which are all performed to the beat of the rocking live band and singers. Six decades of music is featured from icons like Prince, Lenny Kravitz and Pink, to rock bands like ACDC, U2, Journey, Santana and

many more.

Big Top Rock is the biggest, most entertaining and most daring show ever produced by The Barnyard Theatres, so let us entertain you!

Tickets are R135 per person from Wednesday to Saturday For

bookings and enquiries, phone Sharon on 0735043517 or email sharonannblanche@gmail.com

For more info on Corgan read his blog - http://corganlayden.blogspot.com/

or visit his Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Corgan-Layden/279928272034092?sk=info

The Final Countdown is over...

Thank you so much to everybody that come and supported us last night!! We really appreciate each and everyone of you! We had a good time and we look forward to the next time as well!! A very special thank you to my mom Sharon for arranging the whole event! We are so grateful! xxx

5.4kg

We went to the audiologists this morning. They tested Corgan in the booth again and I think he responded well :) we also took Corgan to get weighed and he is now 5.4kg!!

Raffle Fundraiser for Corgan - run and sponsored by Yvonne Hegter

For only R5 stand a chance to win a toy doll's cot with linen and help Corgan who was born 3 months premature on 27 October 2010, weighing only 520g. He recently had an ABR test and they concluded that he has profound hearing loss in both ears and will need hearing aids at a cost of around R60 000.   Draw will take place on 30 November 2011. Winner will be notified via telephone or e-mail on 1 December 2011.

To buy a ticket you can contact:

Sharon Blanche 0735043517 or sharonannblanche@gmail.com

To read the full story visit his blog - http://corganlayden.blogspot.com/ - make sure you start at the beginning (27 October 2010)

or become his friend here on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002186364324

Or "Like" his page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Corgan-Layden/279928272034092?sk=wall

Thank you for your support!!!

Hearing Aids

Corgan Layden got his hearing aids (Phonak - Naida V UP Paediatric) on Tuesday (27 September 2011). When the sound was first turned on he laughed :) and he seemed to really be focused on the audiologist while she was speaking :) Keeping the moulds in his tiny ears is quite a challenge! He doesn't seem bothered by them at all though...they look quite big :/ we are using wig tape to keep the hearing aids in place behind his ears...How it works now is - we can rent the hearing aids for 6 months before having to buy them...

11 Months old!

I can't believe my baby is 11 months old - almost a year!!  We have an appointment with the audiologist this afternoon...

Smart Mortgage Solutions Fund Raising for Corgan

Smart Mortgage Solutions will donate 0.1% of all approved home loans to Corgan Layden - So if you or anyone you know is looking at buying property contact Smart Mortgage Solutions! And don't forget to mention that you are supporting Corgan Layden's fund raising!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Need a home loan and want to save thousands of rands?

Look no further: we can help!!

We specialize in getting competitive rates for new Mortgage Bonds on 

Residence and Further Mortgage Bonds for renovations and additions

We can help with Private Sale Agreements 

Services are FREE, we are contracted to all major banks, you relax while we do the paper and legwork.

Interested ? Do the SMART thing, contact us at:

Smart Mortgage Solutions

153 Anleno Road, Montclair 4004

Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Tel : (0027) 031 ~ 462 2632 Cell : (0027)082 569 6302

Fax : (0027) 031 ~ 462 4138

email:chantal@smartms.co.za

Corgan's blog - http://corganlayden.blogspot.com/

Corgan's facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Corgan-Layden/279928272034092?sk=wall

Corgan's First Fund Raiser!! The Final Countdown - The Barnyard Theatre

Corgan's First Fund Raiser has been arranged!! Anyone interested in buying tickets for "The Final Countdown" @ The Barnyard in Gateway on Wednesday 12 October 2011 - tickets are R125 and Corgan will get R50 from each ticket we sell! If you or anyone you know is interested please contact Sharon (Corgan's granny) on 0735043517 or sharonannblanche@gmail.com to make your booking x

IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN...

The Final Countdown is a musical journey that will take audiences at The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway on a wild ride through six decades of fashion, music and rock ’n roll from 30 August to 16 October.

The show blasts off in the 50’s with greased-back hair, ice cream cones, the road house, stove pipe jeans, milk shakes and music from Elvis, Richie Valens, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Shirley Bassey and Connie Francis. Who could forget the birth of rock ‘n roll with hits like Rock Around The Clock, Let’s Twist Again, Fever, La Bamba and Blue Suede Shoes. Yeah, The Barnyard are hitting the fifties in real fine style, as The Barnyard starts to Shake, Rattle And Roll. 

Next it’s on to the 60’s where you are introduced to some of the greatest music of our time presented in a swinging London street scene - Carnaby Street - where anything can happen. The sixties segment features music from The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, The Supremes. Expect to hear Twist & Shout, Pretty Woman and Good Vibrations in this nostalgic stretch of the journey will have you rocking and a reeling to the decade when the world was free and the party went on forever!

In the 70’s you’re taken you on a highlights tour of a decade that will musically never be forgotten, featuring everything from rock groups like Boston and Deep Purple, to the disco ear of The Bee Gees, Donna Summer and Le Freak. Think Ballroom Blitz, Freak Out, Hot Stuff, Tragedy and Smoke On The Water. This is a decade that will be remembered for those crazy platform shoes, when mirror balls and disco music soon took the world by storm creating a never-ending party!

The 80’s was the decade of new technology that saw the launching of MTV, the video machine, the fax machine and was the era of capitalism. A vast amount of music was recorded in this decade leaving us with endless possibilities such as Lionel Ritchie’s Dancing On The Ceiling, Depeche Mode’s I Just Can’t Get Enough; the decade’s movie magic in Dirty Dancing and Footloose; and South African sounds wit bands like E’Void and Hot Line. The eigthties was a time of fun that produced music and fashion so distinctive to this era.

The 1990’s saw the creation of many diverse scenes in music, but the decade was best known for girl groups like the Spice Girls, boy bands like Boyz II Men, pop bands like Roxette, and South American icons like Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin. The nineties was a daring and innovative decade and produced music that we will always cherish and remember. Who could forget anthems like I’m Too Sexy For My Shirt, She’s Got The Look, End Of The Road and Livin’ La Vida Loca?

Lastly, The Final Countdown arrives in the new millennium which sees a different world where computer technology is controlling our every move, but the music still lives on. Girls in rock have become a dominant force with artists like Christina Aguilera ruling the airwaves. The pop and rock scene is still alive and kicking with the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, Mika and Kid Rock. The new millennium cannot be paid tribute to without remembering 2010 with Waka Waka. 

Leading this musical journey are Andrew Webster, Granville Geldenhuys, Kashiefa Blaauw, Cassandra de Beer and Megan Carlese on vocals; while the band is made up of Neil Schoeman (guitar), Rainer Jadischke (keyboards), Karl Hering (bass guitar), Dylan van der Linde (drums) and Kirsty Madgin (saxophone).

The times have changed along with music and fashion, but the music lives on forever. The Final Countdown is the ultimate party for a musical trip made up of memories, good times and music that is ever-lasting! Tickets are R125 per person from Wednesday to Saturday, with discounted specials of R90 per person every Tuesday night and Sunday matinee show.

Donations and Fund Raising

Please watch this space for future fundraising events! Or if you have any ideas for fund raisers or would like to make any donations towards Corgan's hearing aids etc, let us know :) and thank you so much to the kind and generous hearts that are already helping or made donations x

Donations can be made as follows:

(The following account is set up for Corgan)

Name of account holder: S.D Layden 

Bank: ABSA

Type account: Savings

Branch: Bluff

Branch code: 632005

Account No. 9254298494

International Swift Code: ABSAZAJJ

Please use your name as the reference and fax deposit notice to 0865184093 or email corganlayden@gmail.com

For those who would prefer to deposit into a trust fund. This is a trust fund run by the audiologist. Money deposited with our surname as a reference will be allocated to Corgan. We are also trying to get a trust fund set up in Corgan's name - but it seems it could take some time...

Cash or Cheque payments:

Bank Investec Private Bank

Account number:01043960306

Trust Reference: 10011378073

Please use Layden as a reference for the deposit. Please send notification to Hayley - Fax 0312618133 or email hayleycochlear@gmail.com

Electronic payments:

Bank: Investec Bank

Account Name: Abrina 6565

Branch name: 100 Grayston Drive, Sandton

Branch code: 580105

Bank Account number: 10011378073

Account type: Current

Please use Layden as a reference for the deposit. Please send notification to Hayley - Fax 0312618133 or email hayleycochlear@gmail.com

Any help is very appreciated!

Booth

We took Corgan to the audiologists again and they tested him in the booth and found that he responded to some vocal range frequencies which they were unable to test in the previous tests...

The Short Version Of A Long Story

Corgan Layden was born on the 27th of October 2010. He was born at 26 weeks gestation - he was 14 weeks/3 months premature. His birth weight was 520g...despite being 26 weeks he was smaller than he should have been - the previous scans had calculated he was equal to about 23 weeks...Moments before he was delivered we were told that nobody knew what to expect and whether we had any idea what we would like to do with the "fetus" (babies are only considered babies at 28 weeks) and would we want a burial...BUT, he was here! And he was perfect...the tiniest little thing we had ever seen but just so perfect...it didn't take long before his doctor came to tell me that Corgan was in a stable condition...we were told to take one day at a time...He was ventilated for 7 weeks on and off...in the first attempt he only last about 9 hours before becoming too tired, he had to be re-intubated...the second attempt at coming off the ventilator was hampered by a chest infection...The third attempt went well, he was so strong...he was then on supplementary oxygen for 3 weeks...In total he was hospitalised for 108 days! During that time he also had an inguinal hernia repair operation when he weighed just 1,69kg...He also received 6 blood transfusions during his hospital stay...he had 3 visits from an opthalmologist to check his eyes for Retinopathy of prematurity, we were told each time that his eyes look healthy...he also had two visits with a cardiologist to check for PDA, he said his heart is healthy. The first time he was discharged, he had to be rushed back and readmitted straight away...he had picked up a cold or something and really started battling to breathe...he had to be put back on oxygen when we arrived back at the hospital...that day his hearing was tested and the test was inconclusive...we later assumed that it was probably also due to the fact that he was ill...4 days later he went home for real! He is such a perfect baby, no issues, no illnesses since he's been at home...just perfect...when he had been home for a few weeks we had to take him to the audiologist to be retested - this time he got a pass! BUT, we were asked if we could come for a follow up test in about six months because some of the medications used when he was born as well as blood transfusions could have affected the nerves that make us hear...Corgan is now 10 months old and weighs 4,9kg...he had his follow up hearing test on 23 August 2011...They performed an ABR test...they have concluded that he has profound hearing loss in both his ears...he will need hearing aid on both sides too...He seems to respond well to very loud and very high pitched sounds...we are presently working with the audiologists twice a week and will probably be "fitting" hearing aids soon...

Hearing Aids

We had an appointment with the audiologist today...we basically just chatted about everything...we've decided not to go for a second opinion...we do not want to delay Corgan's development...we were told that there will be more tests along the way anyway...the hearing aids could costs around R30 000 per ear...he needs one in each ear...

10 months old

Corgan is now 10 months old!!!!!

My Hero

I am feeling so grateful that my son is here...he is alive...he is healthy...this new obstacle is nothing that he can't handle...he is such a strong baby...he is my hero :)
Corgan held his bottle on his own for the first time today...

Follow Up Hearing Test...fail...

Corgan went for his follow up hearing test today...The test performed is called an ABR and the results were that he has profound hearing loss in both his ears...the actual nerve seems to be the problem...Medication used at birth are a possible cause, and so are blood transfusions...Corgan will need hearing aids for both ears as well as ongoing treatments and therapies, such as speech therapy...I am feeling so upset...disappointed...my husband and I are both musicians and now we don't know if our son will be able to enjoy and appreciate music the way we do...I am also disappointed for Corgan...hasn't he had enough to deal with already and now he will have this to deal with for the rest of his life...we are thinking about going for a second opinion because a few people have suggested we should because they feel as though Corgan responds well when he hears something...

Up To Date

Corgan had his 9 month injection today - so he is now up to date!  He weighs 4,9kg!  He's picked up nearly a whole kg in the last month!!  We also popped into Dr Nagel's rooms (The doctor that delivered Corgan) he was so happy to see Corgan, he said he is such a miracle and he can't believe it...

Kicker!

Corgan's grampa bought him a ball today and he loves it...if you hold his feet near it he just starts kicking :) And his granny bought him a crinkly toy...he loves things that crinkle!!

Flash Back!

Tonight I went through Corgan's hospital things and all the photos we took in hospital with Shane's mom and stepdad...its amazing how small he was...I've kind of started forgetting those days...

Walk!

Corgan loves being in his walking ring but his feet don't touch the ground...I have put boxes under his feet so that they can touch something...he gets so excited in it!

Another Granny and Grampa To Spoil A Well Deserving Baby:)

Corgan met his granny and grampa from England today...they are here on holiday :)

Home For 6 Months

Corgan has been home for nearly double the amount of time he spent in hospital...still no issues...

Fifth Check Up

We took Corgan for his appointment with Dr Egner... Dr Egner was happy, but commented again that Corgan is smaller than where he should be but told us that most of the very small prem babies take a while to start catching up... I have been concerned that Corgan might be developing another hernia, but Dr Egner checked and said it was not a worry as long as it kept going down as it has been...he doesn't think it's a hernia...Corgan was smiling and laughing at Dr Egner while he was busy checking him out...he thinks everything is a big joke...

Jolly Fella

Corgan loves to be in the jolly jumper...he gets so excited :)

9 Months Old!

Corgan is 9 months old...he is now wearing newborn size 2 nappies...he is starting to wear some 1 to 3 months clothes now :)

Vaccination...

We took Corgan for his next vaccination today...he weighs 4kg! He cried even more this time...he was fine in the evening...

Home For 5 Months

Corgan has been at home for five months!!!  Still no problems!!

8 Months Old

Corgan is 8 months old! Amazing...he is now wearing mainly newborn clothes :)

New Born Baby Doll

I took photos of Corgan with my childhood newborn baby doll...they are about the same size...http://corganlayden.blogspot.com/2011/06/baby-doll.html

Home For 4 Months

Corgan has been home for four months now...still no issues...not even a cold...good boy!

Vaccination...

We took Corgan for his next vaccination at Stork's nest...he will have to go every month until he his up to date with his age...He cried more this time and made me cry too...he weighs 3,7kg...he was better in the evening compared to the last vaccination...

Fourth Check Up

Corgan had a check up with Dr Egner today...he only weighed 3,45 kg now without his nappy...I was hoping he was about 4kg now so I felt a bit disappointed...Dr Egner is happy with everything...he just said Corgan is taking long to catch up...

7 Months Old!

Corgan is now 7 months old!!! He is wearing some new born clothes now!!!!  But also some preemie clothes still too... He is still wearing newborn nappies...he eats everything allowed in Stage 1...he loves being in his baby sling...he is still  a bit too small for his baby carrier...

Happy Chappy

Corgan is now full of laughs and smiles :) He is such a happy friendly baby...

Final Synagis

We took Corgan for his fourth and final Synagis injection at Parklands – Sindi gave it to him…

Home For 3 Months!

Corgan has been home for three months now...we decided to take him on his first non - medical outing...we took him to the beach...a very special place for Shane and I...we got engaged and married on a beach :) 

Vaccination...

Doctor Egner said Corgan could go for his next "normal baby" vaccination when he weighs about 3kg...we estimated he should be there by now so we took him to the Stork's nest at Parklands...he weigh 3,4kg with his nappy on (Dr Egner takes it off when he weighs Corgan)...His temperature went to 38.3 during the night...he was miserable...

Apple

Corgan ate apple for the first time today...loved it!

6 Months!

Wow! Corgan is six months old now!!! He is still mainly wearing premature baby clothing!! And he's wearing Pampers New Baby nappies now...

Easter

Corgan's first Easter...He ate carrot for the first time today...he eats about 100ml per meal...carrot seems to be his least favourite so far...but he ate it all!

Sweet Potato

Corgan had sweet potato for the first time today, he enjoyed it...he loves food :)

Butternut!

Corgan ate butternut for the first time today and he absolutely loved it!

Home For 2 Months

Corgan has been home for two months now...no problems at all...none of his apnea monitors have gone off nor any other issues...

Third Synagis

We took Corgan to Parklands to have his third Synagis injection – we took him up to the NICU and Silindile injected him and he visited everyone there…

Bumbo!

This morning's rice cereal feeding went even better than last night! Corgan didn't mess one drop!! He was taking most of the spoon into his mouth....Corgan sat in his bumbo for the first time and he absolutely loved it!! I have to put a small pillow under his bum because he is too small :)

Third Check Up

We went to Dr Egner for Corgan's check up...he was happy with everything...Corgan weighs 2,7kg and is now 48cm long...Dr Egner said we could start giving Corgan Rice cereal from today...one spoon in the morning and one in the evening...he said that Corgan probably won't actually eat much on the first few tries...he told us that once Corgan gets used to it we can increase to two spoons, then three etc and add an afternoon feed as well...in two to three weeks we can start Corgan on butternut and sweet potato...we got a script for the next Synagis injection...after that we went to Parklands to order the Synagis...we also got more Polycose, D drops and D-germ spray...we are quite strict with that too - when my mother etc visit Corgan they have to wash and spray their hands with D-germ...We visited the NICU...we saw Rachael, Yashika, Charlene, Thanda, Sister Makhaya and Nokuthula who just happened to be on that shift...we also saw Jane from Labour ward and Jane from Management...Everyone is always happy to see our little miracle baby...He ate his first rice cereal feed this evening and he ate like a little pro!  Hardly made any mess :) He loved it!

5 Months!

I can't believe Corgan is five months old already!  But on the other hand it feels like he has always been here...

Extreme Prem

According to staff members Corgan is actually Parklands Hospital's smallest surviving “extreme prem”!!

Home For A Month

Corgan has been at home for one month now!!! It has been an awesome month...it feels like he has always just been here with us :) It was suggested to us to keep Corgan away from crowded places etc for at least three months...we have been quite strict with it...we only go to doctors appointments and we only allow close family to visit him - no friends have even met him...

Second Synagis

We took Corgan to Parklands to get his second Synagis injection…we had to open a file and take him to casualty…the staff in casualty called Shanita from NICU to come and give the injection…Corgan was such a strong boy…he only cried a little bit…We saw Dr Roos while we were in the hospital pharmacy…he said Corgan has grown so much since he last saw him...

Caffeine Free

Corgan had the last of his caffeine today...I feel a bit nervous...

Hearing test and 2nd Check up

Corgan had his follow up hearing test at St Augustine’s hospital this morning...he passed this time, he has to go for a follow up in 6 months time because they are concerned because of certain medications used when he was born as they can cause hearing loss and so can blood transfusions…He also had another appointment with Dr Egner...The patient before us was a little girl that was also born at 26 weeks and weighed 580g….she will be two years old next month…we discovered that Corgan is Dr Egner’s smallest surviving patient...Corgan’s weight is now 2,25kg. Dr Egner was happy with everything…he gave a script for some stuff called Polycose to add to the breast milk for extra calories, we also got a script for the next Synagis injection, we have to order it…we went to Parklands and visited the NICU – and all the other hospital staff along the way – Silindile, Sindi, Vanessa, Shanita and Welile were on duty…We handed in the scripts…all should be ready on Tuesday…while in the hospital pharmacy a nurse from maternity ward came to say hello...she mentioned that she heard we had a panic attack and took Corgan back to the hospital...I told her the real version of the story...annoyed...Corgan was fast asleep when we got home…

Lifted

Corgan spent time on his Tummy Time pillow and he lifted his head up for a long time – longer than usual…

Roll Over!

Corgan rolled from his tummy onto his back today!

4 months old!

I cannot believe that Corgan is 4 months old today!!  He is here...He is alive...He is healthy...I am just in awe of how amazing he is...he is such a good baby too...

Best Foot Forward

Corgan was in the paper again today :)

1st Check Up

Corgan has been home for one week today!!  We took him for a check up with Dr Egner...he now weighs 2,12kg...Dr Egner is happy with everything...

Home Alone

Today was my first day home alone with Corgan...I was very nervous at first but started to feel more relaxed as the day went on...

Corgan's Blog

Check out Corgan's Blog - http://corganlayden.blogspot.com/

It's Time To Go...

Dr Egner said Corgan could go home today… We had to wait for Corgan's caffeine to take home with us to be prepared...Shanita showed us some CPR..we left the hospital at about 13h00… Corgan was fine the whole way home, I held him in my arms  because is is way too small for the car seat...he was good for the rest of the day and night...my mom came to see Corgan and hold him for the first time...so did Shane's dad...we were all happy...

At Home 

Great Day!

Dr Egner decided to keep here Corgan today...he said if he has a good day and a good night, maybe tomorrow he can go home! He had a very good day!

Muck!

Corgan is still snotty today...but much better...Dr Egner said he might be able to go home tomorrow...Corgan had physio again...a lot of muck came out again...

Front Page!

Corgan was no longer on oxygen when we arrived this morning. Corgan's story was on the front page of The Mercury! When I went down to the toilet all the security and other staff pointed at the news stand...when I looked up at it there were just rows and rows of my baby's photo :) He weighed 1.920kg this morning. Dr Egner said he could have one breast and one bottle during today and he could go back into a crib. He also had physiotherapy again and his chest was very congested and had a lot of thick stuff in it... Corgan's story was mentioned on SABC 3 this morning during the newspaper highlights part. Neville Pillay mentioned Corgan's story a number of times during his show on East Coast Radio and he mentioned Corgan on his blog... In the evening Corgan was doing much better although he was battling to breathe through his blocked nose - Nokuthula suctioned him which helped. I had picked up a cold as well and was not feeling well...Shane bottle fed Corgan - I didn't want to get too close to him...We found out that Billy Corgan had tweeted "Sending Love to the Layden's" on twitter...awesome...

No Go...

We were very excited this morning...we've seen a lot of other, bigger babies getting discharged and the mothers all seemed nervous...they seemed to look for reason to delay the discharge...Not me! I could not wait to get home with my baby!!  I was so super stoked and confident...Corgan had his ears tested by an audiologist at about 11am...She was unable to pass him because the test proved inconclusive so the test will need to be repeated when he goes for his check-up with Dr Egner...Corgan acted a bit strangely during his 12 o'clock feed. He never wanted to suck when I tried to breast feed him - for the first time ever - and then he seemed to struggle through the bottle...he seemed disinterested in his feed...He seemed to be a little weak and kept turning pale (more pale than usual). He seemed to almost stop breathing a few times and then even battled to keep his eyelids open...His arms even went limp a few times...We were a little concerned, but then he recovered...we thought it was maybe just a wind...or maybe we were imagining it... When we put him back in his crib the apnoea monitor didn't alarm at all so we put our concern to rest. We were asked to wait for Bronwyn, a newspaper reporter, to come interview us and take some pictures for the Mercury Newspaper...Corgan still seemed to have a bit of a problem with a wind or something, but he was okay. The reporter arrived and interviewed us and the cameraman took photos. Afterwards we filled in the discharge documentation and then we said our goodbyes and then Bukeka helped me take Corgan downstairs saying goodbye to all the staff we met along the way. We left the hospital feeling very excited and happy. A few minutes later Corgan seemed to be struggling a bit again...I burped him and he seemed okay.... We continued along our way and then a few minutes later he began battling to breathe and began losing strength and turned pale...his body went completely limp a few times...he didn't improved despite attempts to wind him...now convinced it was not just a wind I tried blowing in his face and flicking under his foot...all the things you are told to do...he would pick up, then fade again..he became so weak that he couldn't keep his eyes open and his arms went completely limp, his body pale as a piece of white paper... We pulled over just after turning down into Clark Road and we checked him...he was getting worse with no sign of improvement...nothing seemed to help him...We decided that we needed to take him to the hospital right away...We logically took him to St Augustine's which was literally a few seconds drive further and where Dr Egner has his rooms...I had no idea where his rooms were though...I debated taking Corgan to Dr Mannikam's rooms as it was right near where we were and I had been there a few days ago...I remembered that the other day Welile had mentioned Dr Egner's rooms are through the door, up the stairs to the left, I didn't even have Dr Egner's number - all I had was the emergency after hours number which was answered by someone sounding very annoyed that I had called during business hours...I just got out of the car and started running, Shane got out too - the security at St Augustine's is the same company as at Parklands but a completely different breed of person!!!  At Parklands the security are human, they have emotion - not at St Augustine's, they are like freaking programmed robots...they said we could not park where we did (surely they could see the panic in our faces?  the deadish looking baby in my arms?) Shane told them we have an emergency, they said we could not park there, Shane said our baby is not breathing, they said we could not park there...Shane never swears, he ended up swearing at the woman...I mean seriously, what a moron...Shane had to park the car elsewhere while I rushed in... I had know idea whether or not Dr Egner would be in his rooms now or not...Thank goodness as I walked through the door he had just come out with a patient and greeting his next patient...He seemed to also get a fright and rushed him into his room and checked him...Corgan regained some colour and began breathing, but Dr Egner was not happy with what he saw and told me we must return him to Parklands immediately because he is cancelling the discharge...He told me to make Corgan cry  by flicking his foot all the way back to Parklands... Shane in the meanwhile had parked about half a km along the road and had tried to find me and Corgan at the NICU and the Pediatric wards on the other side of the building...he had no idea where Dr Egner's rooms were...I had left my bag and phone etc in the car...I couldn't find him...I asked the same security cow if she saw where Shane had gone, she basically ignored me and made some grunting sound...I went back to Dr Egner's rooms and asked to use the phone...we drove back to Parklands in the frustrating after-school traffic...I tried to keep Corgan crying. His cries so weak and heart breaking...he could hardly continue half the time because he was so tired...I cried with him...At Parklands, security could see something was wrong and showed Shane a nearby parking while I rushed Corgan back up to the NICU at parklands...his SpO2 was checked and was about 60%...bad...he was put back on oxygen... Dr Shaik happened to be in the NICU at the time and tended to Corgan...he gave him a dose of caffeine too...Corgan had many episodes of apnea in the first ten minutes that he was back, one after the other...The caffeine dose first quietened him down almost into a deep sleep before giving him a boost of energy that helped keep him very wide awake for quite some time. He sneezed quite a lot and had a wheezy chest.  Dr Shaik suggested maybe Corgan had picked up a cold...The apneas subsided and he gradually picked up and then was gradually weaned from the initial oxygen blend of about 50% and a flow rate of about 2...What a long and disappointing day...Later in the evening I was upset because a staff member said that we just got scared...she said maybe we panicked...Well FYI I'd rather have a living baby back in NICU than one that's dead by the time he gets home...so angry...

Going Home Party

Corgan's weight is 1,87kg!!! We took snacks for the nurses on duty today...they're having a going home party for Corgan :) They all had a good day, so did Corgan...he got his first Synagis injection today as well as the usual one babies get when they are born...We had a good evening with Corgan...

Almost Time!

We bumped into Dr Egner as we arrived at the hospital in the morning. He told us that Corgan can come home on Monday. Corgan's weight is 1,84kg today. Welile bathed Corgan while I was there, it was the first time I've seen him be bathed...Its almost time to take our baby home!!!

First Car Ride

Corgan's weight dropped a bit to 1.8kg...Dr Egner said he can go home next week!!! We took Corgan, with Welile, to St Augustine's for a heart scan by Dr Mannikim... Corgan's heart is healthy...He seemed to enjoy his first car trip...he slept the whole way back to Parklands Hospital...In the evening, Corgan was sleeping peacefully when we got back to the hospital...He had a good day...

Full Feeds

Corgan is 100 days old today...he weighs 1,82kg! He had a really good issue free night....Dr Egner said he can have full45ml feeds from breast or bottle...he drank so well with no desats...he is back in his open crib...the rules were bent again for us and my sister, Olivia, got to finally meet Corgan... 

Post Op

Corgan's eyes were still closed when we arrived this morning, he was still unsettled and Gervais said he had a tough night with him desatting a lot... He opened his eyes while Gervais was winding him during a feed, he looked at me with such sorrowful eyes...it broke my heart...I had to go out of the NICU...I had a good cry in the bathroom...Dr Egner took blood to check whether Corgan needed another blood transfusion or not... He was borderline so Dr Egner decided he didn't need one... Corgan's feed was changed to 20ml and his oxygen vlow decreased to just 1... He began desatting less and less... By the time I left at quiet time, Corgan's SpO2 was mainly between 98 and 100... Silindile looked after him today...she smsed me at about 14h20 to say that he was doing fine and the SATs were still between 98 and 100 and he only desatted once to about 82% - which is not a big deal...She smsed again at about 17h35 to say that at 15h50 the oxygen was removed and his SATs were on 99%!! When we got to the hospital this evening, Corgan was sleeping very peacefully...Gervais took over and Corgan was still asleep when we came back in after supper during changeover...

Hernia Repair

Corgan's weight is 1,690kg this morning. Dr Shaik came to see Corgan this morning and said if I wanted he could try do the operation sometime today otherwise only maybe next week because of his schedule..Corgan had his hernia repair operation at about 15h30. I went with him into theatre and held him while they gave him oxygen to make him sleepy...Janet was with him during the operation...it took about an hour...when he was back in the NICU he was not breathing...he was put on a ventilator....he pulled the tube out after a few minutes...he was then put on nasal prongs at 40% and the flow was at 2lt per hour....he desatted quite badly...a lot...It was hectic...chaotic...I felt like we had made a mistake...maybe we should have waited until next week when he would have been a bit bigger...I felt so worried about him...he didn't really even open his eyes the whole night...we only left the hospital at about 22h30...

Little Piggy

Corgan was excellent when we arrived. He weighs 1.675 kg...Dr Egner made no changes...Corgan had another chest x-ray...The radiology department reported that the NG tube was fine despite there having been no such tube in Corgan for a while now...The x-rays and reports were redone correctly...Corgan has been throwing tantrums wanting food earlier than scheduled...

1,66 kg

Corgan's weight is 1,66kg now. His feed was increased to 42ml...

Due Date

Today is Corgan's original due date...he had a good day today...Dr Egner said that the finishing line is in sight...Corgan weighed 1.630kg... He had bottle feeds the entire day and did fine through all of them as he was given good rest breaks go catch his breath between gulping...Corgan was fine this evening too...when we got back to the hospital we caught Zanele by surprise as she was bottle feeding Corgan with the monitoring equipment on Standby mode...the ones I am obsessed with!! But I did not mind because Welile has often done this during the day and Corgan fed very well from the bottle...there seems to be less issues as well if the person feeding him watches him instead of panicking when the machines beep...I have even been feeding him away from the monitors :) Getting brave :)

See, I know what I'm talking about!!

When we arrived this morning the night nurse said the burping thing worked well in the night as she did not see his SpO2 drop below 90... Today's weight is 1,62kg! Dr Egner knew about yesterday's drama and was thinking about sticking with tube feeds today...I told him about the winding issue...he said to try all breast/bottle feeds again today. I breast fed with no issues. All the bottles went well too...I gave him a bottle during our night visit...no issues...

Listen to me!

Corgan is three months old today...Dr Egner said Corgan could alternate between bottle and breast feeds from now on with no tube feeds in between... Corgan weighs 1.590 kg. He had an eye test and his eyes are healthy. Silindile was looking after Corgan today and she had to leave the ward midway through the test as she began crying as she assisted Dr Blignaut and watched the test take place...Vanessa took over from her... All his feeds went well this morning...When we arrived back at the hospital in the evening things had changed...Corgan was desatting continuously and even needed to Neopuffed and had a bit of oxygen blowing near his face... Dr Egner was called and he said the feed tube should be reinserted and only feed tubes to be taken for the rest of the night... We were not happy....he looked pale and weak...his body was quite limp...when I picked Corgan up, he burped right away which is exactly what we suspected - he needed to be burped more!! I burped him for quite a while and his SpO2 stayed between 90 and 100 for the rest of the night...Shane explained clearly to the night nurse that Corgan needs to be burped after every feed, including tube feeds, even if his tongue is down...Surely we would know...I do a lot of his feeds, I spend many more hours with my baby every day than any nurse does...its so frustrating...

Ready!

Corgan weighs 1,580kg today...10g less...his eye appointment with the opthalmologist has been changed to tomorrow... Silindile looked after Corgan for the first time in over a month...I'm starting to feel excited about taking our baby home now!  I am so comfortable with him...I do his "cares" and all nappy changes and feeds when I am there...I am ready!  

Hint Hint

Today's weight is 1,59kg...Dr Egner hinted Corgan may come home in the next week or so...Shanita said the bottle feed went well today, he finished in 20 minutes...

Unimpressed!

Corgan's weight is now 1,57kg. Dr Egner said Corgan must get breast/bottle alternating with tube feeds. A student nurse looked after Corgan today. She did not give him a bottle feed at all as he desatted and she got scared. She was giving him a tube feed when we got back this evening... We told her he needs to be winded a lot, even after tube feeds...she said "thanks for telling that"..she did not do it though...when she was finished the feed she gave Corgan to me on his back...he vomitted and then desatted badly! I had to run and call Nhlanhlenhe - the only sister on duty at the time - to come see to him as the student looked more shaken than even we were...Corgan was quite blue and unresponsive...Nhlanhlenhle told the student to get the Neopuff...she seemed to have no idea what it was so I even had to point out to the student where and what it is! We were very unimpressed and very annoyed...We complained to Gervais and Bridgitte when they came on night duty...Corgan was fine in the evening...

Puff!

We were told that at about 6:30am Corgan had to be given oxygen and Neo-puffed after he desturated after a feed...Dr Egner said it might be reflux or winds...Corgan's weight is 1,555kg today. Corgan was good with Welile today. He had had a tube feed at 12 and a bottle feed at 3. He had another tube feed at 6, after we arrived.

Ditto

Corgan weighs 1,525g...Dr Egner said he can have 1 breast and three bottles today. It all went well. My mom bought a Respisense Ditto for Corgan. I sorted Corgan's clothes into sizes so that the small clothing can be washed for when he comes home...I have become obsessed with the monitors...I check Corgan's even when it is not his one alarming...The nurses joke that I will have to take one home with me when Corgan gets discharged...

No Change

Dr Egner did not change anything today...Corgan's weight was 1.535 kg. In the evening was still fine...Good day :) 

No Physio

Corgan was sleeping nicely in his crib when we arrived this morning...He weighs 1,5kg now...Dr Egner stopped physiotherapy and said the NG tube must be put in Corgan's left nostril. I breast fed at 8am and it went much better without a tube in his mouth...

Open Crib

Corgan now weighs 1.465 kg!! Dr Egner said he could go into an open crib today! After a feed he was moved into a crib! He was very relaxed wrapped up in blankets in the crib and he soon fells asleep...he looked so calm and happy...Today is our three year wedding anniversary...Corgan was still resting peacefully when we returned in the evening - he even seemed to be in exactly the same position still...

Lazy Bum...

Today's weight is 1,45kg...Corgan  only drank 20ml from a bottle during the night. Dr Egner increased his feed to 38ml...Corgan was a bit lazy when I breast fed him today. He went through two NG tubes today...he loves pulling them out!

Feed Me

Corgan weighed 1.4kg this morning. Corgan fed well with bottle and breast feeds today...he was calm this evening, but as his next feed approached he got more and more upset...I bought his size 2 preemie MAM dummy this morning but it got lost when the linen got changed because it was so light and see-through-ish...I took the size 3 MAM dummy tonight and he seems okay with it...I held him and he settled....He had a tube feeding tonight...Shane held the syringe...