RYAN KOWALSKI...MIRACLE EXTRODINARE!!
Welcome to the world of preemiehood.It's place where miracles can happen.In this place you will learn to appreciate life & learn what true love,strenghth & happiness really are.You will learn that things aren't always what they seem to be at first & to appreciate each moment
of life.
Ryan Christopher Kowalski was born on January 15,1995,at home.He was
born at 24 weeks [gestation].He was only 1lb.6ozs. & 12 inches long.Ryan's prematurity was due to my adominal wall muscles being damaged in a car wreck[Nov.1994].
I had no labor to warn of his coming early.My water broke & he was born soon after.The only thing I could do was lean back in my recliner & pray
for the best,
as he made his entrance into the world.Yes!I did deliver him
myself.I even had to sign his birth certificate as attending physician![Just call me DR.Mom!!]My little boy showed me from the start that he was a fighter with a strong determination to live.He was breathing & even managed to cry![24 wk preemies have very immature lungs.So this was no easy feat!]
First,Ryan was taken to our local hospital.Then,he was transported to
James Wicomb Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis,IN.The time spent at Riley was tuely a roller coaster ride!
Ryan spent his first 8 weeks on a ventilator.His oxygen requirements &
vent settings were constantly changing.During this time,he developed PIE &
BPD [bronchopulmonary dysplasia].BPD & PIE are both lung conditions.He
recieved a dose of sufactant.Eventually,he got fed up with the vent & extubated himself.That was quite a site!Mommy,Daddy & a nurse were all standing over him as he coughed up his ET tube!!He spent a few days on CPAP...driving the nurses crazy.He would raise his little head & try to knock the prongs out of his nose!Then he finally advanced to a cannula for his oxygen.
At 5 weeks,Ryan had a PDA ligation.He also developed a Grade 2 IVH,[IVH=Intraventricular hemorrage...brain bleed].It was suspected that he had a PVL.[This was never double checked.]
Ryan spent 14 weeks in the NICU.He came home with an apnea monitor,oxygen & on increased calorie formula.The first thing I did when we got home?I snuggled him up on my chest & rested in the same chair where this all began!
He has been diagnosed with asthma.He also has ROP [retinopathy of prematurity].
ROP is an eye disease.Due to the ROP,his vision in the left eye is very diminished.
It has also turned into a lazy eye [ ].So,Ryan now wears a cute pair of wire framed glasses & we have also done eye patching.He has recieved 3 laser surgeries,a touch of cryrosurgey,& had a buckle [due to the start of retinal detachment in the left eye].
My little sweetheart is now 3 years old!He beats up his brothers & sisters,knows how to work the VCR,helps take care of his baby sister,has a neat imagination & brings true happiness to our family!We still have a long
road ahead of us.But,Ryan has showed more strenghth than
I had ever thought possible.He pushes himself to succeed.
I know Ryan has gone through all of this for a purpose.
I believe he was meant to do something special here
on
Earth...& I have no doubt he will accomplish it!!
UPDATES
February 18,1997:Ryan is completely off of oxygen!
April 19,1997 :weight is 22 lbs. [that's pounds!!]
April 25,1997 :Sad news.Ryan was admitted to the hospital.Possible double pnuemonia.All started with a head cold that flared his BPD. :(
June 9,1997 :Ryan was extubated!!!! [Came off the vent,after 6weeks & 3days]
June 11,1997 :Welcome Home,Ryan!! After 6 weeks & 5 days in Riley Hosp.,Ryan is now home! He is on 1 liter of O2.His muscle are very weak & out of shape,so he has alot of catching up to do.At the moment he can only drag himself across the floor.He is eating great!Ryan is very happy to be home!
June 15,1997 :Happy Father's Day!Ryan is now crawling & pulling up to stand.He has tried to take a few steps,again.He is getting stronger every day!
April 4,1998 :Weight is up to 35 lbs!
April 1998 :We did an home sleep study.Ryan has to continue the O2 [oxygen] when he sleeps. :(
The champion Ryan holding the OLYMPIC TORCH
Life With The Kowalski Bunch...click to check the family page!
LINKS OF INTEREST
ABC'S OF INFANT CPR...a must for anyone who knows an infant!
ADVICE FOR AFTER THE NICU...great advice for when you bring the wee one home
RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY...through explanation of ROP
AAPOS...up to date info.Not just ROP info!
IMAGINE...imagine life for parents of preemies;in their own words
THE EARLY EDITION...newsletter put together & compiled by the parents on the Preemie-l mail list
Empowering Parents of Premature Babies...info on the up coming conference in Michigan
PREEMIE-L...if you are a parent of a preemie,find out how to join the e-mail list
To join PREEMIETIMES...Check out Ami's hp & while you are there join the P-Times e-mail list
Send RYAN a message!
VISITORS
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