The Bales Family

Hi everyone! Can you believe I am almost 4 weeks old!? So much has happened since the last update - where do I even start? Well, I guess I will start with COVID. I hate it. My mom tested positive for COVID last week and had to isolate away from me (and everyone) for 10 days.  Her and daddy even had to miss uncle Matt and auntie Sam's wedding. It was a long, difficult 10 days for her but she is finally off isolation and has been able to come back up and see me! I sure missed her!  While mommy was in quarantine, daddy came up everyday to feed and snuggle me.  He sure is a great daddy!

Earlier this week, I started having some intense apneic and bradycardic spells.  One time my oxygen level dropped to 40% and another time it dropped to 60%.  The nurses had to use oxygen and stimulation to get my vitals to come back up to normal.  Because of this, my amazing physician, Dr. Brown (Dr. Watkins is amazing too!) decided I needed to be tested for COVID because sometimes babies who are sick have increased "spells".  Sadly, my COVID test came back positive.  My mom and dad's hearts are shattered.  I was moved into a negative pressure room and I am being watched very closely. All of my nurses and visitors have to wear scary gowns and masks, but I know it is to keep them and me safe. I will be in isolation until next week. Overall, I am doing good and I will hopefully kick COVID's butt! I had really bad "spell" the other night where my oxygen dropped to 34%.  Again, I needed oxygen and a lot of stimulation to get my values back to normal.  Dr. Brown tried to reach out to other physicians to see if my intense "spells" are from COVID or if they are because of my prematurity - interestingly, I am the first NICU baby to test positive for COVID throughout the Sanford organization and among Dr. Brown's friends in Minnesota. Because of this, it is difficult to say why I am having these episodes. I can't go home until I go 7 days without a spell.

I am up to 6 pounds 4 ounces and I am starting to get "cheeks".  They were able to take my feeding tube out because I have been drinking all my milk from a bottle.  Also, now that my mom can come see me again, I will get back to working on breastfeeding. 

Well, I think that is enough of an update for now. I am going to continue to rest and grow and hopefully I will get to come home soon! Please keep the prayers and support coming! Thank you! 

Sorry it took for long for an update! Things have been pretty busy! I am almost 2 weeks old already! Each day I am getting stronger and stronger. I no longer have any IV lines and I am breathing on my own on room air.  I am up to 5 pounds 1 ounce and I am now 18 inches long! I still have my feeding tube because I am struggling with eating.  My mom is trying to breastfeed me but I am still too little and my brain is still developing so I often forget what I am supposed to do.  I have also started to have "spells".  These are moments when my heart rate and oxygen levels drop dangerously low.  It means my brain is overwhelmed and I need to rest.  I can't go home until I am "spell free" for at least 7 days - I am having several of them per day and I sure hope they stop soon!  My bilirubin levels have stabilized, but I had to spend several days under the lights on my "beach" with my cool shades on. Some of my labs are wacky, but I guess that can happen in premature babies so my doctor and nurses are keeping a close eye on them.  My mom and dad tell me lots of stories about my amazing family and all of our friends who are praying for me. Thank you so much for all of your support! Keep praying! I will likely be in the NICU for a few more weeks but I can't wait to bust out of here and meet everyone! Thank you again!