Abby Day 45

Today is Abby's 45 th day in the NICU.  She remains on the ventilator , but her oxygen requirements have been lower.  They say she will probably stay on the ventilator another week.  She weighs 2 pounds and 4 oz now.  They are increasing her calories so she can gain weight faster.  Overall, she is doing pretty good.  I started back to work last friday.  It was good to keep my mind occupied with other things for a change.  Today I plan on holding Abby again, can't wait.

Abby will be 30 wks old

Abby is having a wonderful day today.  She still on the ventilator, probably for another week...She weighs 2 pounds 1oz   .   I didnt get see her today cuz i have bad cold or possibly the flu..    i am going to see her tomorrow if they will let me in with a mask..  The Dr's are now thinking that she does not have an infection so the antibiotics were stopped.  They may attempt to put her back on CPAP next week if she continues to do well.

ABBY day 37

Today is Abby's 37th day in NICU.  Last night, I tried to sleep but for some reason could not.  Then at 0430 this morning Abby's Dr. called me and told me he had to put her back on the ventilator.   She is showing some signs of infection and is being put on very strong antibiotics.  Her nurse today only has her as a patient so she can give her special care.  Abby had to have a lumbar puncture to check for meningitis, we are still waiting for the results.  I can't describe how awful this feels as a mother.  Please keep her in your prayers.  We aren't going to give up.

ABBY DAY 36

Today is Abby's 36th day in the NICU.  She is now 29 weeks old.  There were a few set backs today.  Today when I went to visit Abby she dropped her heart rate to the 30's and stopped breathing.  The Respiratory therapist quickly responded by removing her CPAP and bagging her ( giving her 100% oxygen).   She turned blue but regained her color when her oxygen came back up.  I did not need to witness this.  I know everyday  can't be good and that we are going to have to experience these ups and downs.  Abby was also placed on contact isolation because a swab of her nose came back positive for MRSA ( methicillian resistant staph aureus).  This is a common hospital acquired bacteria.  The Dr's say that she isn't showing any signs of the bacteria effecting her and her labs looked ok.  Abby also had to receive another blood transfusion today.  The dr's say to expect her to remain in the hospital until my due date, which was May 5th.  Still have a long road ahead of us, just hope that road isn't too bumpy.

Abby Day 31

Today is Abby's 31st day in the NICU.  Abby remains on CPAP to help her breath.  Yesterday she dropped her heart rate to the 60's and her oxygen to the 40's.  Usually she is able to recover on her own, but today they had to bag her ( put a mask over her mouth and nose that delivers 100% oxygen).  They did a bunch of lab work and discovered she need to get a blood transfusion.. After receiving the blood, she did not do this again. She now weighs 1 pound and 14 oz.   Yesterday, Abby had some visitors.  My Aunt Donna and Uncle Scott came up from Midlothian to see her.  My Aunt made Chad and I some very tasty chicken and lots of sweets.  Very good comfort food, not good for weight loss.  My former step sister also made her a hat, that is adorable.   I can't wait for everyone to meet her.  I go back to work in a week.  I will be able to visit her since we are at the same hospital.  I've been on bedrest for three months now and I am actually looking forward to working again.  It will also help me keep my mind occupied. Happy Valentines Day Abby. Keep praying.

ABBY is 28 days

Today Abby is 28 wks old.  She survived her first month in the NICU.  Yesterday, her weight was 1 pound 11.5 ozs.  She lost a little weight today at 1 pound 10.8 oz.  The Dr's think she may have the begininng of an infection brewing, so they started  her on antibiotics.  She is tolerating her feeding a little better but they had they had to decrease the amount a little because of her abdominal distention.  She got her first enema yesterday to possibly help remove some of what may be causing her distention.  So far, they do not think she has necrtotizing entercolitis, which is a severe stomach infection that can affect preemies.  We pray she does not get that because it is a serious complication.  Her oxygen requirements are a little less today too.  She is having episodes where she drops her heart rate and they have to stimulate her to get it back up.  I may get to hold her again tomorrow if everything goes well.  I want her to hear my heartbeat again and know that it beats for her and the rest of my family.  I got some not so good news from Abby's nurse yesterday which made me cry.  She walked away without saying a word or even offering a tissue.  Another baby's nurse comforted me.  This is also teaching me the importance of being compassionate and offering hope even when things aren't going so well.  When I return to work , I think it will make me a better nurse and even be able to put myself in my patients families shoes.  We, too are patients as well as our loved ones.  I had to make a list of things that i needed to get done and I found my self adding a reminder to breath.  They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  Chad and I are definitely gonna be a lot stronger from this situation. Despite multiple attempts, my  breast milk seems to be going away.  I even tried that nasty stuff called mothers milk with fenugreek herbs.  All it did was make me smell like strange pancakes.  She has enough to last awhile but we may have to rely on donor milk.  Breast milk decreases her chances of getting necrotizing entercolitis in her stomach by 70%  .   I will keep on trying for her.  Thanks for all the prayers from friends and family.  Please continue these for they seem to be helping a whole lot.

ABBY DAY 25

Today Abby weighed 1 pound 9.8 ozs.   Her stomach became distended so they had to do an xray to make sure she did not have an obstruction.  The xray showed just air.  They will have to slow down her feedings for a few days.  She is doing good with her breathing and her oxygen requirements are down a little.   She is almost 28 wks old.  This is the most difficult experience I have ever had to go through.  Some days are easier than others.  God bring her home safely to us please. 

ABBY DAY 21

Today was a big day for Abby and for all of us.  She was taken off the ventilator today and placed on CPAP.  So far she is doing well.  She is having to have a little more oxygen support but that is to be expected.   They told us not to get upset if they have to put her back on the ventilator because that is normal for preemies .  This is a huge step for her and for us.  She is so strong.  Sometimes I think she is stronger than us.  The Dr's say take it day by day , that is easy for them to say .   We try but , we have so much planned for our family .On a lighter note,  the nurse says she poops frequently.  Fine for me, Im a nurse and used to it.  Chad , not so much.  Ethan is helping me with that.

  Our angel is so strong, stronger than us.  God is stronger than us all and I know he brought her here and is watching over her.  I think this experience is making  Chad and I closer too.   As a mom, It is so  hard to see their child suffering and not being there to make it better.  I am struggling with the fact that she is still not inside of me where we are together no matter what.   They say take it day by day, but they don't know .  It is second by second.  I do have faith therefore I know whatever happens is meant to be- That doesnt make things easier sometimes.   One day I hope to look back at this  and say " Wow what a wonderful family I have".   I already have that , but ABBY  is a necessity, she is our BABY.

ABBY DAY 20

 

Today is Abby's 20th day in the NICU.  She had a really good day.  Despite the icy roads, I had to go to the hospital to see my little angel.  She weighs 1 pound 9 0zs and they are starting to feed her even more.  They were able to wean down her ventilator settings as well.  They let me hold her today for one hour.  I was scared but as soon as she was snuggled up against my chest I felt at ease.  She and I both loved it.  The familiar sound of my heartbeat put her to sleep immediately.  I can't wait until Chad gets to do this as well.  Dr's say she is doing very well and her condition is stable.  The obstacle now, is to keep her free from infections.  She will probably remain on the ventilator until she gains a little more weight and her lungs become stronger.  Keep praying for her to come home to us safely.  Today was a good day !!!

Abby Day 19

Today is Abby's 19th day in the NICU.  Yesterday abby had to get a new IV and receive some blood.  The Dr. says all in all she is doing pretty good.  She weighs 1 pound 8 0zs now.  She is still on the ventilator but doing better with that as well.  We still have a very long road ahead of us and sometimes it is hard to see the  light, but we are trying our hardest to stay positive.  They want me to start doing kangaroo care , that is where I hold her skin to skin.  Im scared and excited at the same time.  On the way home from the hospital yesterday, Abby's brother Ethan says out of the blue " Sister is not sick anymore and she is coming home soon ".  He was right when he predicted that I was having a girl and hope he is right about this too.  Kids sometimes seem to have a sixth sense about things.