Team Andy

http://www.marchforbabies.org/andyvaules
Bottom line is, Andy wasn’t supposed to show up until October 1st, 2002. Renae started to feelsick and while we thought she had the stomach flu, the doctors determined she was very ill (HELLP Syndrome) and had to deliver for the survival of both Andy and Herself.

Andy was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Fairview University Riverside Hospital in Minneapolis for 106 days until his release on October 13th. He returned to the Main campus twice for surgery and complications less than a month later.  This website was created during these events to update family and friends on Andy’s condition.  Dad has been scrambling to keep them updated.

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Birth Weight	1 lb., 4 oz. 6/29/02	Birth Length	12.5″ 6/29/02
Baby Basics	Baby: Anderson Charles Vaules, born 6/29/02 @ 26 weeks Mom: Renae Vaules Dad: Robb Vaules Dog: Walt Grandparents: Ginny Vaules; Al & Evie Tervo Godparents: Betsy & Eric Funderburk; Debby & Andy Cox

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Andy

I am collecting all of the questions we have been asked, as well

as the medical definitions for the things Andy has faced.

What is a CPAP?

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)—Oxygen (or air) is delivered under a small amount of pressure usually through little tubes that fit into the nostrils of the nose. Delivering oxygen under pressure helps keep the air sacs in the lung open. Source: University of Wisconsin Medical School

What is a Hemangioma?

A Hemangioma is the most common benign tumor in infants. The word Hemangioma comes from the Latin Hemangio meaning blood vessel and Oma meaning tumor with active cell dividing activity. Hemangiomas differ from other vascular malformations in that they are biologically active and their growth is independent of the growth of the body.

Approximately thirty percent of all hemangiomas are visible at birth. The remaining seventy percent become visible within one to four weeks after birth. Hemangiomas are five times more prevalent on females and occur predominantly in Caucasians. Premature babies and infants weighing less than 1 kilo or 2.2 pounds are three times more susceptible to this condition.

Milestones (Data Entry is Hell)

6/30/03 13 lbs., 8 oz.  26″
4/28/03 12 lbs., 4 oz.

25″

12/12/02 8 pounds, 4.5 ounces 20.5″

1/4/03 9 pounds, 2 ounces 21.5″

2/4/03 10 lbs., 3 oz.  22.75″

March of Dimes

Find out about the

family’s involvement in the March of Dimes.

Research Resources

While there are a number of web sites that

have information on preterm birth, if you are looking for a place to start look

at the March of Dimes website.

We were told, many times, in the hospital

to be very careful on what sites to read when researching preemie issues.

Below are some of the websites we were told were good to visit by the staff at

our hospital:

What is Sisu?
It’s more of a story than a definition. Good Question, I had to ask myself.