Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Free Charlie!

Today we got some exciting news – Charlie may be able to come out of isolation! Ever since he was diagnosed with MRSA, Charlie has been in an isolation room in the NICU. If Charlie were our only baby this would be no big deal – the room is dark and quiet and we love his isolation roommate Ethan and Ethan’s parents. But since Lily is out among the regular population of the NICU visiting can be tricky at times. We must visit Lily first so we don’t spread any potential infection to her, so that means that no matter what Charlie is doing when we arrive, whether he be wide awake, getting a bath, etc., we can’t go into the room or handle Charlie or else we won’t be able to see Lily. This can be frustrating at times since we don’t want to gyp Charlie of any one-on-one time, but we also don’t want to miss out on seeing Lily. Anyway, today Dr. Hiatt informed us that he would be testing Charlie everyday for the next three days for MRSA. If all three tests come back negative, Charlie can rejoin his sister on the outside! The first test was taken today around 3:00 and it takes 24 hours for results to come in. So it’s possible that Charlie and Lily could be reunited by the end of the week. Of course, it’s also highly possible that he’ll still test positive and will have to stay put, but our fingers are crossed for the former.

Charlie and Lily both had pretty good days today. Lily was taken off her caffeine and lowered to 4 liters on the nasal cannula - both positive steps. She wanted nothing to do with her afternoon bottle – she was too busy being mad at Nurse Julia for having the audacity to reinsert the Bug’s feeding tube – but took her evening bottle perfectly. She also enjoyed a nice sponge bath tonight courtesy of Daddy and put on some grams to reach 4 lbs 5 oz.

Charlie did the opposite – he loved his afternoon bottle but was totally uninterested in the evening one. He’s still having brady episodes with his feedings, but we were assured yet again today that this was normal and nothing to be concerned about. Dr. Hiatt said that it was in no way a step backward and was just something that was common in preemies. The bradies seem to be caused by a combination of reflux and some failure to coordinate his sucking, swallowing and breathing when taking his bottle, but both are problems that he will outgrow. Other than his MRSA tests, Charlie will begin getting his first round of vaccines. He also gained weight and is now 4 lbs 14 oz.

Joe and I both visited the doctor today to get some vaccines and flu shots – we want to be as healthy and germ-free as possible when we finally start caring for Charlie and Lily. Those who come to visit the babies once they are home should be prepared to scrub, Purell and perhaps submit to being sprayed down with Lysol.

We realized recently that we have a lot of pictures of us with Lily but hardly any of us with Charlie. And as you can see, Charlie could not be bothered to wake up to pose with us.



Lily was so wide awake tonight and was more than happy to get some snuggles in with mommy!


Lily and her daddy took a pause from her bath to have a staring contest. Lily won.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Brooke & Joe,
I have been following your story since mid-August. I was made aware of your family by a member of the Central Jersey Mothers of Multiples, of which I am a member. I have smiled, laughed and cried as I've read your entries. I am moved by your strength and courage. I hope Charlie and Lily continue to make gains and you are all home together soon. I know I am not the only stranger praying for you guys! You are an inspiration.
With love,
Kerry

Newman Family said...

Brandon had the same problem with bradies after his bottles. It took him awhile to coordinate the suck, swallow, breathe but he finally caught on. He wound up having to go on reflux medicine and it really helped the bradies stop after his feeds/ bottles.

I am so happy that Charlie and Lily are doing so well.

Anonymous said...

Go babies... I'm ready to scrub down. I'm also getting my flu shot this month...

Love the picture of Lily and Joe staring at each other.

All My Love, Auntie :) xooxxo

akoto said...

Sending prayers that he tests negative each time! How wonderful it would be for them to join up again. The staring contest photo is way too cute!

Colleen said...

Yay for Charlie! Hopefully he will get to join Lily in the main room and you can visit both at one time!

Anonymous said...

Sending prayers to Charlie that he can be with Lily very soon! That is exciting news! What a beautiful family & I'm looking forward to the post that says.... Babies are HOME!!! Stay strong!!!!

Hilary said...

Don't ever try to best a baby at a staring contest...they always win! I'm pulling for Charlie to get out of isolation, that would be great for him and all of you.

Kristine McKowen said...

Let's get that boy out of isolation! Praying his tests come back negative!

Love Miss Lily staring her Daddy down. Wait until the puppy dog eyes start and he'll give her anything she wants by looking at him that way!

JoLynn said...

When we brought Adam home from the NICU, he was still on a monitor because of his brady/apnea issues in the hospital. Even when home, his reflux would cause brady's. But after a month and a half at home, he grew out of it and we retired the monitor. All in due time! Glad things are going so well. Here's to Charlie being free!

Michele from FTHS said...

Keep the wonderful news coming. Way to go, Little D's. Annaleigh is proud.

Doug H. said...

Here's hoping Charlie gets to be with his sister ASAP!

Gretchen said...

That would be so great to see brother and sister back together!!! We'll be praying!!! You guys caught the greatest pics of everyone I love the pics of Lily checking out both her Mommy in one pic and her Daddy in the other pic, they sure are becoming more and more alert!
SO ADORABLE!

Anonymous said...

you might want to go to synagis.com and sign up for their "helping hands" program. they'll send you a "stop sign" for your stroller that says "please wash your hands before toughing mine" as well as hand gel and pamphlets on RSV for friends and family. hope this helps. dylan and cassidy got synagis their first RSV season home as well as all last winter. they never had RSV, thank goodness. i'm still a germ freak, and probably always will be. hope this helps.
-april
april062604 (private board)

The Guerrins said...

I have been following your story for a month or so now and have been cheering for you all! I had twins in the NICU and would have paid anything for a crystal ball or a book on "the typical preemie" behavior. Your recent posts sound very familiar. Our girls would eat then not eat.... That was all they needed to do to get home and where they belonged... but boy did they take their time. It is literally like a switch flicks though, and boom they eat every bottle for a couple days straight. Then you get the phone call... "TIME TO COME HOME!!!!!" Saying lots of prayers for that long awaited phone call to come quickly for your adorable little ones.