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FORTY FINGERS & FORTY TOES
The Dixons have a great team of doctors, nurses, and specialists working with them to make this pregnancy and these four births successful. They are so thankful for the care and work of Christopher J. Riegel, M.D. and Thomas J. Albert, M.D. P.A.

The Quads are in good hands at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Take a peek into the NICU and get a glimpse of these four premature Dixon babies' fight for life.

QUADS' WEIGHT UPDATE
08.23.05

Hudson: 8 lbs, 5 oz; Madison: 8 lbs, 15 oz, Candice: 7 lbs, 4 oz; Samantha: 8 lbs, 8 oz.

07.09.05

Hudson: 6.5 lbs, Madison: 6 lbs, Candice: 5.5 lbs, Samantha 6.5 lbs.

06.26.05

Hudson: 5 lbs 11 oz, Madison: 5 lbs 1 oz, Candice: 5 lbs 7 oz, Samantha 5 lbs 10 oz.

06.18.05

Hudson: 5 lbs 3 oz, Madison: 4 lbs 10 oz, Candice: 4 lbs 13 oz, Samantha 5 lbs.

DETAILED BABY UPDATE

09.12.05

Candice is scheduled to be released from the NICU on Thursday, September 15th. She will have been there for 5 months and 2 days since birth. She will come home with a trach and a g-tube for feeding. She's currently taking about 60 cc's of formula. She weighs about 8 lbs.

08.14.05

Madison was released from the NICU; now 3 of 4 preemies out of hospital care.

07.14.05

Samantha released from NICU; now with Mommy, Big Poppa, Logan & Hudson.

07.13.05

Hudson was released from the NICU; now with his parents at Liz's parents' house.

07.14.05

Candice had bronchostomy surgery this morning; it went well. Dr. Gamble said that the swelling below her vocal cords is almost absent and the swelling in the rest of her airway has been reduced. They are starting her on steroids today or tomorrow for the next 3 to 4 days. They will attempt to extubate her again sometime between Sunday and Tuesday. According to Dr. Gamble, he sees no anatomical reason why she would fail this next attempt.

07.09.05

Hudson is taking a bottle during every feed, 8 times a day. He is up to 6 and a half pounds. Continue to pray for Hudson as his brain recovers from a Grade 4 IVH. Also, pray that his eyes would recover. One eye is a grade 3 while the other one is a grade 2. This vision impairment may cause the retina to separate from the cornea, causing blindness. Surgery is possible. Hudson passed his hearing test. Assuming no other complications or necessary eye surgery, Hudson will be released from the NICU soon.

07.09.05

Candice had surgery to repair her airway. Because of the length of time that the ventilating tube has been in her, her throat is swollen. Everytime a tubal extubation is attempted, the swallowing cause her throat to close up. The surgery that was performed was called a cricoid split. This is where the airway is split open causing the airway to double in size. The muscle around the airway will grow over that opening and seal it off. She will be sedated until the middle of next week, so as to not allow any movement that may injure the opening as it heals. Her ventialtor settings are fairly low. Candice is about 5 and a half pounds. She doesn't seem to be having any vision problems.

07.09.05

Samantha is not too far behind Hudson; doctors say she's likely to come home by Friday, July 15th. She is taking 5 bottles out her 8 feedings. She too is up to 6 and a half pounds. Samantha doesn't seem to be having any vision problems.

07.09.05

Madison continues to struggle some with her feeds. She is taking a bottle during 3 out of 8 of her feeds. She is over 6 pounds. Also, Madison (like Hudson) as an eye that is a grade 3 and one that is a grade 2. It's possible that Madison will have to have eye surgery to prevent the retina from seperating.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you or your organziation are interested in learning more about how you can help support the Dixon Family, please email the Dixon Quad Fund at trustee@dixonquads.com. Click here to make an online donation. Thank you for your support.

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