Just a short post tonight to keep everyone posted. We contemplated not posting but thought that people would assume something was wrong rather than that there's not too much to report.
Lily had to get some blood today. She's not sick or anything; rather, she's been a bit tired and lethargic for the last few days. Her blood test numbers were borderline but since we need to get her some energy so she can more easily take her bottle feedings the nurses/doctors decided to give her just a small transfusion. Hopefully this will be the boost she needs to get back on track.
Charlie is doing great on his room air breathing and limitless bottle feedings. He doesn't have as many episodes during or after his feedings, though they do still occur every now and again. But once he gets that stabilizes, there's nothing to stop him from coming home!
Today the nurses asked us about setting up a time next week for monitor training. We need to learn how to use the monitors that Lily and Charlie will be coming home with. We've been assured that they're not complicated so it shouldn't be too difficult. In a way, it's a bit of a relief that they'll be on monitors because we'll be alerted immediately if something is wrong. Granted, we're expecting numerous false alarms and we're sure that our hearts will drop every time we hear the bells sounding, but it's still nice to know that we'll know when a problem arises.
PS: Sorry for the lack of pictures today. I was only at the hospital for a couple hours today (Back to School Night put a damper on my visiting schedule) and Brooke understandably doesn't like to lug the camera with her when she's by herself. Don't worry though, I promise to take lots of good ones for tomorrow's post!
15 comments:
Thanks for the nightly update! You're right...I probably would assume something was wrong if I didn't a daily update. Glad all is well, and that you're a day closer to bringing Lily and Charlie home!
Yeah - your father scared me a little when I asked him if he gave hugs and kisses to the babies and he said not tonight so I've been sitting here waiting for you to post. It looks like Lily gets her drama from Grandpop not her cousins... :) Get some energy pumpkin. So this means extra pictures tomorrow night - right???
All My Love,Auntie :) xoxoxo
"no" news is good news! (at least in this case!) So happy everything is going well. I just started my SLP internship at a NICU this week, it is so different seeing babies just like yours in there as opposed to the pictures seen here (duh! So much more real and SCARY!) I'm so proud of your babies and of you all for staying so STRONG and BRAVE!!! Keep it up!
Thanks for the update, but I for one don't think it's unreasonable for you to take a day off from the blog! That just means you'd owe the adoring fans more pictures and updates another day. ;o) I'm glad there's not much to report. Sometimes not having much to report is a very, very peaceful thing.
What a dedicated blogger! :) Feel better tomorrow, little Lily! And ugh - I hate BTSN.
Brandon came home from the hospital a year ago with a monitor. He was on it all the time for a few months and then only at night for a few more months. It was easy to use and definitely brought me peace of mind...especially after looking at his numbers on the hospital monitor for 12 weeks. You have the choice of using sticky leads or a belt around the chest. I found the belt had a lot less alarms but I know the babies have to be a certain weight before they can use it. We started with the sticky leads and switched to the belt once Brandon was heavy enough.
I love reading your updates about the babies. I am so happy to hear how well they are doing.
I am a NJ preemie mom too. If you have any questions or there is anything I can ever help you with please let me know.
Karen
I am in agreement with the Newman Family - the belt provides A LOT less alarms compared to the sticky pads. Sara had 162 alarms her first 3 weeks home and all 162 were false! When you hear it going off every 15 seconds in the middle of the night and you know she is just sleeping sound, you really want to throw it out the window at that point and just let your baby girl sleep. The pads didn't stick very well, stuck to her clothes, sometimes we went through 3 sets in a day. It's either 4 or 5 pounds that they want the baby to be with a belt but I would definitely ask about. When we switched Sara over, she did not have any episodes at all and made the readings much more accurate.
So excited you are talking about coming home steps!
My son came home from St. Peter's on a monitor for 3 months! Don't worry, you will get used to it in no time at all. :)
If it the same group that I used they trained my hubby and I very well on infant CPR and how to use the machine.
I am here if you ever have any questions or want to vent to me about the monitor because I can completely relate.
I actually would go into work with my son while he was still on the monitor. One day I forgot to bring the plug and the batteries ran low. I started running around like a chicken without a head, not knowing what to do. Everyone has those moments but know that the monitor is there for the babies safety....and before you know it, they won't need them anymore. :)
Good Luck! And remember I am here for advice. :)
Lily and Charlie..you go babies! You are so strong! I check on you guys and your mom and dad daily on this blog and am amazed by everyone's strength!
a bit of advice for the apnea monitor...use the chest strap not the sticky leads. dylan & cassidy used them from for 6 weeks and had only 1 false alarm (and only 1 real alarm). HTH
-april (april062604 multiple mamas)
wow, well hope they get to go home very soon...
Back to school night puts a damper on everything!! Thank you for taking the time to post---I don't know how the two of you do it. Glad to hear Charlie is chowing down--taking after his old man, no doubt. You know, both baby D's are starting to look a little chunky...how cool is that?? They, and you, have come so far since June--best wishes and blessings to all!
Hope Lily is doing well with the extra blood- stay positive! (Bad pun intended). Looking forward to all of the new pics of the adorable babies.
:)
Cheryl
More steps forward... Great!! Love to see the pictures at every post but if the blog is filled with good news... that's enough for us. As long as everything is going well! Your still in my prayers & will be until they are both home with you!!!! Go babies!!
I just wanted to say very quickly that Campbell got several blood transfusions and each one did so much to help her. She got off the CPAP after one and started bottle feeding so well after another that her tube was taken out the next day. Having that extra blood helps them so much since they get so much taken out that they can't make it fast enough. Sounds like they're doing great!
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