Anders definitively has no blood on the brain--the best news of the day! He does, however, have a bit of bacteria growing in his culture, but is showing no signs of an infection. He will be treated with antibiotics for 7 days. This treatment will not affect the weening from the breathing tube or increased feedings set to begin next week. Even tonight, they have lowered the setting of his tube from this afternoon!
Also, received a call from (soon to be) Dr. Dan Hubbard, didn't realize he was back in the US! He assured me that Fairview Riverside U of M Hospital and Clinics has one of the top NICU facilities in the nation! I suspected this to be the case, but it's nice to have verification. Ski-U-Mah! Looks like a Golden Gopher onsie is in Anders' future. I wouldn't even mind if Da U brings home the bacon this November. You heard me right MN Steve, hope you were sitting down for that one!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Working for the Weekend
Does anyone remember the SNL sketch where Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze are Chip 'n Dale dancers performing to the aforementioned Loverboy song?
Well, the weekend has come for Anders as well. The NICU team is going to give him the weekend off. Early next week they will try to get him to eat more and breath more independently. Did I already give this update?
I hope that mentioning Patrick Swayze doesn't kill him. I killed George Harrison my senior year at Luther by playing him in a class skit...
Well, the weekend has come for Anders as well. The NICU team is going to give him the weekend off. Early next week they will try to get him to eat more and breath more independently. Did I already give this update?
I hope that mentioning Patrick Swayze doesn't kill him. I killed George Harrison my senior year at Luther by playing him in a class skit...
The Seeleys Visit; Updates
We had a very nice visit with our friends Dan and Jessica Seeley. They did not mind the uncomfortably long hugging. We had lunch at the Rail Station, which is fast becoming the official restaurant of Anders' visitors.
Anders is stable as a table. He is breathing regular amounts of oxygen through his tube, not an enhanced level as yesterday. He still has his Billy Reuben light on and he is getting fed breast milk through tubes. All of his vitals look good. He's pretty much in a holding pattern for the weekend. They are not going to try to challenge him until early next week by increasing his feedings or by switching from mouth tube to nose tube breathing.
Anders will not make the move to Southdale until the week of August 10 (our 7th wedding anniversary) at the earliest. So that week at the earliest would be when I would come back to Athens for a couple of days to collect some stuff for Edina base camp.
We also received a nice cookie basket (bouquet? is that the right term?) from the Ohio University History Department and Contemporary History Institute.
Thanks everyone!
Anders is stable as a table. He is breathing regular amounts of oxygen through his tube, not an enhanced level as yesterday. He still has his Billy Reuben light on and he is getting fed breast milk through tubes. All of his vitals look good. He's pretty much in a holding pattern for the weekend. They are not going to try to challenge him until early next week by increasing his feedings or by switching from mouth tube to nose tube breathing.
Anders will not make the move to Southdale until the week of August 10 (our 7th wedding anniversary) at the earliest. So that week at the earliest would be when I would come back to Athens for a couple of days to collect some stuff for Edina base camp.
We also received a nice cookie basket (bouquet? is that the right term?) from the Ohio University History Department and Contemporary History Institute.
Thanks everyone!
temporary address
If you want our temporary address until we move out to Edina in a couple weeks...
Anna and Jon Peterson
C/O Mandy Ritz
4416 40th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Anna and Jon Peterson
C/O Mandy Ritz
4416 40th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Delivery Room Jokes
The actual labor and delivery was surprisingly similar to an episode of the Cosby Show, plus both lasted only about half an hour!
So, when it was clear Anders had made up his mind to come out fast, I said, "He made up his mind quicker than Brett Favre."
This joke killed, even the female nurses were laughing out loud (along with the men of course). I should have gone Costanza and left on a high note, but instead I pressed me advantage...
After Anders was born, I stayed with Anna, waiting for the placenta to get pulled out. "I asked Anna if we should burry the placenta or boil it up and eat it."
Crickets.
Nothing.
Just awkward silence until Anna scolded "What ARE you talking about?!"
I tried the joke again.
Anna said, "Give up the placenta talk. You sound like a weirdo!"
So, when it was clear Anders had made up his mind to come out fast, I said, "He made up his mind quicker than Brett Favre."
This joke killed, even the female nurses were laughing out loud (along with the men of course). I should have gone Costanza and left on a high note, but instead I pressed me advantage...
After Anders was born, I stayed with Anna, waiting for the placenta to get pulled out. "I asked Anna if we should burry the placenta or boil it up and eat it."
Crickets.
Nothing.
Just awkward silence until Anna scolded "What ARE you talking about?!"
I tried the joke again.
Anna said, "Give up the placenta talk. You sound like a weirdo!"
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Feeding the Blond Bomber
Anna and I got to feed him some of the good breast milk off of a Q tip tonight. That was perhaps more exciting than reading him stories. Both activities rank pretty darn high.
His hair has waves in the back and is straight on top, so Anna hair. If he ever plays hockey, he could have a rockin' mullet. I think Anna will post new pictures tonight or tomorrow morning on caringbridge to show that great hair!
I'm feeling much better about the day tonight than when it started. With that other baby passing away and Anders tough day, things were tough this moring, but getting better now.
His hair has waves in the back and is straight on top, so Anna hair. If he ever plays hockey, he could have a rockin' mullet. I think Anna will post new pictures tonight or tomorrow morning on caringbridge to show that great hair!
I'm feeling much better about the day tonight than when it started. With that other baby passing away and Anders tough day, things were tough this moring, but getting better now.
uncomfortably long hugs
I just wanted to warn potential visitors that I now give uncomfortably long hugs, regardless of gender. Just roll with it, I will let go, but it will probably be about two seconds beyond your comfort zone.
Taste of Thailand
Here's some lighter fare for you.
I am very comfortable with my bodily functions, if you aren't, stop reading. I wrote a humor column in Luther College Chips my senior year, and the masterpiece was titled "Manhood's Special Moments" about famous farts I had either smelt or dealt in my scholarstic career.
My favorite restaurant in the TC is Taste of Thailand in St. Paul. My friend Dr. Dan Hubbard introduced it to me while visiting him at Macalester. It has surly service and amazing curry.
So, after hospital time yesterday we needed a break so I crossed the river for the spicy chicken curry. It was delictible as ever, but wow. Today has been rough. Couple ToT with the morning coffee from a Costco sized Dunkin' Donuts bag and the new Anders stress....Wow, again.
Dan Seeley, if you were here, I would have held your hand! (Dan always said this when we lived together in college if he sensed any of us roomates were having bathroom troubles. He had a sense for such things...)
I think things have stabilized, but I was on fire this morning. It was Jamaican Jerk at Green Mill kind of on fire (for the Green Mill vets out there).
I understand why Maria and the crew at the hospital keep things bland. Better quit before Anna comes in and asks what I'm writing. She would not be pleased with this topic!
I am very comfortable with my bodily functions, if you aren't, stop reading. I wrote a humor column in Luther College Chips my senior year, and the masterpiece was titled "Manhood's Special Moments" about famous farts I had either smelt or dealt in my scholarstic career.
My favorite restaurant in the TC is Taste of Thailand in St. Paul. My friend Dr. Dan Hubbard introduced it to me while visiting him at Macalester. It has surly service and amazing curry.
So, after hospital time yesterday we needed a break so I crossed the river for the spicy chicken curry. It was delictible as ever, but wow. Today has been rough. Couple ToT with the morning coffee from a Costco sized Dunkin' Donuts bag and the new Anders stress....Wow, again.
Dan Seeley, if you were here, I would have held your hand! (Dan always said this when we lived together in college if he sensed any of us roomates were having bathroom troubles. He had a sense for such things...)
I think things have stabilized, but I was on fire this morning. It was Jamaican Jerk at Green Mill kind of on fire (for the Green Mill vets out there).
I understand why Maria and the crew at the hospital keep things bland. Better quit before Anna comes in and asks what I'm writing. She would not be pleased with this topic!
Anders' rough night
Anders had to be re-intibated this morning. He was having too many apneas. I think he outkicked his coverage, meaning he was feeding and breathing with little assistance and he got tired.
They are taking precautions by testing him for infection, even though they think he's just tired. He had a spinal tap and a bunch of other tests. His jaundice is stable, and he could get off the Billy Reuben lights tomorrow.
They just finished a few minutes ago putting a nutrient line in near his heart. It's another standard procedure for premies at a week, but just happened a couple of days early for Anders.
The nurse said that until this hiccup, he had been doing "awesome." We knew a setback like this was coming, but it's hard since it's the first one. It's especially hard for us with his little neighbor passing away yesterday. Anders has a couple of new neighbors who are just as small as he is. I saw the new mom in her wheelchair next to her baby crying tears of joy.
Every minute of the day is lived with an intensity I cannot describe.
Life before Saturday seems so trivial now.
On the whole, he's still doing really well, just a bit of a set back.
-Jon
They are taking precautions by testing him for infection, even though they think he's just tired. He had a spinal tap and a bunch of other tests. His jaundice is stable, and he could get off the Billy Reuben lights tomorrow.
They just finished a few minutes ago putting a nutrient line in near his heart. It's another standard procedure for premies at a week, but just happened a couple of days early for Anders.
The nurse said that until this hiccup, he had been doing "awesome." We knew a setback like this was coming, but it's hard since it's the first one. It's especially hard for us with his little neighbor passing away yesterday. Anders has a couple of new neighbors who are just as small as he is. I saw the new mom in her wheelchair next to her baby crying tears of joy.
Every minute of the day is lived with an intensity I cannot describe.
Life before Saturday seems so trivial now.
On the whole, he's still doing really well, just a bit of a set back.
-Jon
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Our Plan
We will stay with Mandy and Matt in SE Mpls until Anders can be transferred from the U of MN Fairview Riverside Hospital to Fairview Southdale in Edina.
After the transfer, we will transfer basecamp from here to Aunt Becky and Uncle Dan's place in Edina. We will have more space there, but no Torii.
I will head back Athens for a couple of days to collect some things after Anders stabilizes from the hospital move.
We will be in Minnesota until Anders can be released from the hospital, which should be sometime between early October and his original 10-23 due date.
If you are in the TC area and want to visit, drop me a line. I'll be around.
I handed off the summer class I was scheduled to teach starting this week. Anna will be taking her maternity leave early. Everyone at her school has been supportive and understanding of our situation.
Once we get more settled and Anders stabilizes, we will start taking mental health outings.
Not having Favre on the Vikings' roster will cut down on the volume of distractions, at least for now.
It would be great if the Twins could make a deep diversionary playoff run. I might get a chance to say goodbye to the Metrodome in person!
I will be here for the Hawkeyes' Sept. loss to "Team They Should Beat" TTSB.
After the transfer, we will transfer basecamp from here to Aunt Becky and Uncle Dan's place in Edina. We will have more space there, but no Torii.
I will head back Athens for a couple of days to collect some things after Anders stabilizes from the hospital move.
We will be in Minnesota until Anders can be released from the hospital, which should be sometime between early October and his original 10-23 due date.
If you are in the TC area and want to visit, drop me a line. I'll be around.
I handed off the summer class I was scheduled to teach starting this week. Anna will be taking her maternity leave early. Everyone at her school has been supportive and understanding of our situation.
Once we get more settled and Anders stabilizes, we will start taking mental health outings.
Not having Favre on the Vikings' roster will cut down on the volume of distractions, at least for now.
It would be great if the Twins could make a deep diversionary playoff run. I might get a chance to say goodbye to the Metrodome in person!
I will be here for the Hawkeyes' Sept. loss to "Team They Should Beat" TTSB.
Torii
I'm getting excited to head out to see Anders in about an hour. Mandy and Matt have a fascinating dog, a Rhodesian something something, named Torii after erstwhile Twins CF Torii Hunter. Torii looks like a deer. She (I always use the male pronoun anyway) loves Matt and has taken a shinning to me. Torii gets quite excited for visitors and likes to stare me in the eye. Yet, she is quite stupid. Trudy is our sweet, but dumb cat. Torii is even less intelligent. She is a needed distraction and a blessing, all things considered, even if I can't manage to get her to play catch.
Blond Bomber
Pictures, now up at caringbridge, don't do justice to just how blond his hair is. Just had to put that out there...
for the record: spelling
Anders' future godfather, Dr. Brad, gave me the correct spelling for words I use alot. "hi, I figured I would put my $180K education to use and spell check your posts...apnia is spelled apnea, billyreuben is spelled bilirubin." I have decided that the b.r. light should have the proper name Billy Reuben, whom I imagine to be a Southern Jew, so that's why I spell it that way. When one of my best friends in grad school and a Southern Jew, Jack Epstein, reads this post, he will have a good laugh.
Thanks for the multiple calls Jack and everyone else. Keep them coming!!!
Thanks for the multiple calls Jack and everyone else. Keep them coming!!!
Sadness in the NICU
Anders' neighbor in Nursery 3 passed away today. He was probably 33-34 wks and sicker than Anders. He had a tube coming out of his head. It happened fast. Anna went in with her grandpartents, then be the time I took her mom and aunt to the nursery, a code red had been called. The whole medical team came rushing. By the time we were allowed in, the curtain was drawn with the parents and their late son behind it. After giving them some space and fawning over Anders, I turned around and his crib and everything was gone. It all happened so quickly.
Even though I never talked to the dad or examined the baby too closely. He was Anders' neighbor for about 3/4 of his life. It would be like if a neighbor of 30 years died. It really affected me. I was more accutely sad at the loss of a baby I didn't know than at the loss of close but aged relatives.
It was a sad day even though Anders started eating, his apnea decreased exponentially, and he might get his Billy Reuben light off him tomorrow. Anders continues to do well.
Even though I never talked to the dad or examined the baby too closely. He was Anders' neighbor for about 3/4 of his life. It would be like if a neighbor of 30 years died. It really affected me. I was more accutely sad at the loss of a baby I didn't know than at the loss of close but aged relatives.
It was a sad day even though Anders started eating, his apnea decreased exponentially, and he might get his Billy Reuben light off him tomorrow. Anders continues to do well.
New Diet
Part of my preparation for fatherhood revolved around more vigorous exercise and eating better. I started jogging and even ordered the odd vegetarian entre at a restaurant in contrast to my heavy weight lifting and meat eating. For some reason, not until I turned 29 and a half did it sink in that I would never drive block a 260 lb. man on the other side of the line of scrimmage again. So, I'm a little slow on the take sometimes.
Now, however, I have found a dieting loophole, acute stress. I can eat anything and a lot of it and not gain a pound. In fact, I feel like I'm loosing weight! Five Dollar Footlongs, can't get enough. BBQ Brisket, bring it on! I feel 17 again and soon might look 17 again...
Now, however, I have found a dieting loophole, acute stress. I can eat anything and a lot of it and not gain a pound. In fact, I feel like I'm loosing weight! Five Dollar Footlongs, can't get enough. BBQ Brisket, bring it on! I feel 17 again and soon might look 17 again...
Voice of Dad
I read Anders a bunch of stories yesterday. It really calmed him down. The nurse said that when I stopped reading and left, Ando Calrissian started thrashing around and crying. Finally, she had to read him a story to settle him down.
Then last night I read him the same stories again. I even quasi-sang "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." I cannot sing and hate to sing in public (except on Easter Sunday and during "Joy to the World). I felt like a parent reading those stories.
I had become a father on Saturday, but I didn't become a dad until Tuesday.
Then last night I read him the same stories again. I even quasi-sang "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." I cannot sing and hate to sing in public (except on Easter Sunday and during "Joy to the World). I felt like a parent reading those stories.
I had become a father on Saturday, but I didn't become a dad until Tuesday.
insomnia
I heard it existed and was vaguely awares of its characteristics, sort of like speaking French, but never had it until now.
I can sleep anywhere. I can always get to sleep. I can sleep in unconfortable positions others might consider torturous. Now, I am turning into an insomniac. I have been awake since 4 am. I only get up at 4 am if I'm flying somewhere or planning on driving 900 miles plus.
I hope this isn't part of fatherhood.
I can sleep anywhere. I can always get to sleep. I can sleep in unconfortable positions others might consider torturous. Now, I am turning into an insomniac. I have been awake since 4 am. I only get up at 4 am if I'm flying somewhere or planning on driving 900 miles plus.
I hope this isn't part of fatherhood.
Maria.
I just met a caf lady named Maria, and suddenly that name will never be the same again. Maria was my first come down for the Anders high. The Fairview Hopsital caf closes between 10:15 and 10:45 am. I did not know this on Sunday. Some dude let me in the "Starbucks" door to get some coffee anyway. He alluded to this fact, but it sounded so preposterous that I politely ignored him.
I got my coffee and looked around to pay, suddenly this tiny gray haired Latina materialized in mid-scold.
"What are you doing here? How did you get in here? We are closed! YOU cannot be here!"
First of all, the idea that this place needs a half hour break for culinary regeneration is preposterous. The food is all just similarly bad.
I told Maria that some guy let me in the middle door. Then she got mad at him in absentia as I pleaded ignorance.
On Monday, I returned for breakfast. Maria charged my order to the woman in front of her, who couldn't believe that 2 juices cost $8. Maria was having cash register trouble, so eventually she brokered an exact change cash transfer. I gave exact change to Maria and she gave it to the overcharged lady. This took about 10 minutes to figure out.
I got my coffee and looked around to pay, suddenly this tiny gray haired Latina materialized in mid-scold.
"What are you doing here? How did you get in here? We are closed! YOU cannot be here!"
First of all, the idea that this place needs a half hour break for culinary regeneration is preposterous. The food is all just similarly bad.
I told Maria that some guy let me in the middle door. Then she got mad at him in absentia as I pleaded ignorance.
On Monday, I returned for breakfast. Maria charged my order to the woman in front of her, who couldn't believe that 2 juices cost $8. Maria was having cash register trouble, so eventually she brokered an exact change cash transfer. I gave exact change to Maria and she gave it to the overcharged lady. This took about 10 minutes to figure out.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Throwing Down the Gauntlet
Just received a call from the baby crazy Dan Seeley ( a dear friend and former Professional 1950s Reinactor) in the rain of Estes Park, CO. He and wife Jessica are planning to visit the Big A on Friday morning. He might be the first friend to visit...nos vemos...
a better blog
The blog Anna created is better than my blog. Here's the URL: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/andersanton
I might still post here sometimes since I'm wacky.
I might still post here sometimes since I'm wacky.
Pronunciation of his name
This is a hot topic in Anders circles. We've had many funny misfires from friends and family so far. Here is his name phonetically: ON-ders an-TONE Peterson.
Welcome to the Anders Anton Peterson's blog
Hi All,
This is Jon, Anders' father or is it Anders's father? It all happened so quickly that I haven't figured out which way is correct.
I was told to use another sight, called thehealingbridge.com, but I couldn't find the "create a blog" feature. I may be switching to that host in a while, but I wanted to get a start on things.
More to come!
-Jon
This is Jon, Anders' father or is it Anders's father? It all happened so quickly that I haven't figured out which way is correct.
I was told to use another sight, called thehealingbridge.com, but I couldn't find the "create a blog" feature. I may be switching to that host in a while, but I wanted to get a start on things.
More to come!
-Jon
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