Lauren had a few pretty rough days after surgery. We had been told to expect it, but it was still hard to handle. She stayed on the ventilator for 4 days and just went back to CPAP yesterday (Tuesday.) She took a while to start breathing on her own over the ventilator. She was having very high blood sugar readings, retaining a lot of fluid and started having some blood in her stools on Sunday. The doctor immediately ordered an abdominal x-ray, antibiotics, another blood culture and held the milk feedings to give her bowels a rest. The blood in the stool can be an indication of something called Necrotizing Enterocolitis. It is an infection/inflammation of the small & large intestine that preemies are especially susceptible to. Luckily, the x-ray came back normal and the blood culture was negative. She started to perk back up Monday night and the antibiotics were discontinued Tuesday. Her blood sugars are better and she is off Insulin again. Her milk feedings were re-started and she has been doing well since.
Today was probably Lauren's best day since surgery. She's doing well on CPAP and occasionally had her oxygen saturation drop slightly, but was able to bring it back up pretty quickly without any extra oxygen being given to her. I got to hold Lauren for 4 wonderful hours today! The nurse asked if I wanted to hold her and I said yes of course, but I was a little scared because I didn't want to tempt fate because she had been doing well. They didn't even turn up her oxygen when they handed her to me today and she did great! I was so impressed! We were both were so content during our time together and I hope she got some much needed rest. When our time was up, they put her back to bed and suctioned her nose and changed some of the parts to the CPAP machine. It was just about shift change, so I had to leave. Today was such a better day for Lauren. We really needed this. We know that she will still have many ups & downs, but we are on cloud 9 from today.
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Hi Jami - I am Leah Amsberry's sister and Donna Harris's sister-in-law. I hope you won't mind me commenting here. I think Leah told you that we had a baby born at 25 weeks also. I'm thinking about you guys (even though I don't know you) and sending tons of positive energy toward you and your daughter. So many of the things you write about Lauren are very similar to what our son kekoa went through (the pda surgery, back and forth off ventilator). I'm so happy Lauren is doing well. I loved the nurses and doctors (ours was Dr. Murphy) we had there at St. V's. We live very close to the hospital, so if you need anything - please email or give us a call. It is such a roller coaster ride, but your daughter is so precious. Our son just turned 5 and I can't believe we ever went through what we did when he was little. I'm so glad for you that you are documenting everything. Wish I would have! it will be wonderful for you and Lauren to look back on years from now. Take care, maria
ReplyDeleteI so remember the rollercoaster! Really glad that Lauren had a better day. I am sure that she loves you holding her as much as you love it. I spent hours each day with Kara, just like you are doing with Lauren.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you often and praying for all of you.
Chris Harvey