Jacob Alban Tawzer is a miracle baby. Because of a medical condition, Jennifer Tawzer wasn’t supposed to be able to have a baby, and in fact thought she had polyps last January when a sonogram revealed Jacob’s presence.
He is also a million dollar baby, an easily understood term that medical personnel give to babies born prematurely. He’s worth every penny of it, Aaron and Jennifer say of their son, who was released from Wesley Medical Center on Father’s Day.
“Whatever he needs, he’ll be taken care of,” Aaron promised, as Jennifer predicted that he will be very spoiled.
Because of his fragile condition, he needs lots of attention, but first-time grandparents, Vic and Cathy Graf of Pratt and Don and Louise Tawzer of Dodge City, are willing to help in that department. He is also the first great-grandchild for Ken and Wanda Richardson, Pratt.
When her water broke on March 16, Jennifer was taken immediately to Wesley by ambulance. On March 25, Jacob was born at just over six months gestation, weighing 1 pound, 8 ounces and measuring 12 ¾ inches long. With all the tubes and monitors, he didn’t really look like a baby,
Aaron commented, and they couldn’t touch him right away because his skin was so thin.
During the next three months, Jennifer stayed full time in a Ronald McDonald House, while her husband and parents switched off to give her support and also take care of business at home. They were told the baby had a 5 percent chance of surviving.
“So far he has proved them (doctors) wrong,” Aaron noted. “He’s a fighter.”
After a time they were able to “hug” his chest with one hand and allowed “skin to skin” contact, providing the touch that is necessary for bonding.
Jacob had to meet medical thresholds for release and his parents had to pass some tests as well.
They spent a few days and nights in a family room at the hospital, taking over much of their son’s care, receiving training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and becoming comfortable with the oxygen machine and apnea monitor.
Jacob currently weighs 6 pounds, 2 ounces. He gets some caffeine every morning to help his lungs develop, takes about two ounces of formula from a bottle every three to four hours and is “pretty content” once he’s been fed, according to his father. He makes vigorous sucking sounds on a pacifier, a good sign for a preemie. It takes an attentive ear to hear his cries, however, because he was on the ventilator so long.
A real cry will be cause for celebration. Already he smiles at her, Jennifer is convinced.
They had hoped to have a big welcome-home party, but doctors discouraged it — the number one reason premature babies end up back in the hospital is exposure to too many people, they said.
He still faces some challenges: his hearing is less acute than it should be, there are some abnormal blood vessels in his eyes, he has a heart murmur and he may be delayed in reaching usual milestones.
Back in March, Jennifer had been looking forward to spring break from her job as a paraprofessional at Pratt High School, where she expects to return in August. Life has changed; it’s been an emotional roller coaster, but the family is an “up” position as they make the adjustments of new parenthood.
Friends may keep up with Jacob’s progress at www.caringbridge.org. Under “Visit a CaringBridge website” type in jacobalban. First-time users will need to create a profile.
Pratt, Kan. —
