Baby update from Julie, Tasha's friend...

First, I apologize if I get any facts wrong. I have notes written on 3 pieces of paper that my 3 year old crumpled and threw away in an attempt to get me off the phone!

Joshua Andrew Roher was born via c-section on Saturday, November 15th around 5:30am. Tasha's water broke around 2am, apparently he wanted to choose his own the birth date! He was 6 pounds, 10 ounces and 20 inches long. Pretty good size for an early baby. I'm told that he is very cute and I'm hoping to post a picture here for all to see soon!

Unfortunately, Joshua is having a rocky start. He was not feeding well so was given an IV for nutrients. His belly is big and hard and he has not had a bowel movement on his own. He has a reverse feeding tube which pumps junk out of his belly.

He was taken by ambulance to the NICU at Desert Samaritan Hospital in Mesa on Sunday evening as he still hadn't had a BM and they were concerned that he had a bowel obstruction. On Monday he was given a dye test to look for a blockage, but the results were inconclusive. They gave him an enema and he finally did have a BM. However, his belly is still big.

The doctor believes that nerves in his intestines that tell the body to push out the BM are underdeveloped. Tomorrow they will do a biopsy on the nerves to confirm this theory. If this is the case they will give daily enemas for about 3 weeks, until he is stronger, and then he will have surgery. If they find that he does have a blockage, they will do surgery immediately.

He is under lamps for jaundice, although Tasha doesn't think he is yellow at all. She may be a little biased. ;0

He failed his initial hearing test, which is common, as sometimes they still have amniotic fluid in their ears. They will repeat the test at a later time. And finally, there are a couple of markers for Downs Syndrome. His ears are low-set and his eyes are puffy. (Again, Tasha doesn't agree!) They have done a test to confirm and should have the results on Wednesday. It sounds like this test is just a formality. Downs children often have heart issues, so he was given an ECHO cardiogram today. They did not get the results yet.

Tasha is doing well. She is able to walk with her walker now. She wasn't even able to hold up her head on Saturday, so she has made a lot of progress! She will be in the hospital until Tuesday or Wednesday. She's not complaining, as she is enjoying the hot meals. Perhaps Bob needs cooking lessons for Christmas? The challenge is that if she is released, Bob won't be able to be at the hospital with Joshua, as she can't be home alone. They are hoping to get in-home health assistance through the ALS association.