Friday Update

It is hard to blog tonight. I have been feeling down since I left the hospital. It was unusually hard to leave Emma tonight.

The picture above was from yesterday. Emma was a week old and Jason went with us for a visit. It was his first time seeing his sister since the ambulance took her away. He had been begging to see her and his stuffy nose was finally better. I am so glad he was able to see her. It was totally God's timing because this morning the nurse called me to tell me that siblings are no longer allowed to visit due to RSV season. He managed to see her on the last possible day. It was wonderful to have two out of my four together. I can't imagine how wonderful it will be to have all four together.

Yesterday right after we got there they took the CPAP off and put on the Canula instead. It is much more comfortable and a lower level of care than the CPAP. It means she is breathing a little bit better.

This morning when I called to check on Emma they told me that she had started feeding with a bottle. Her first couple feedings went well and she sucked, but her last couple feedings she hasn't wanted to wake up to eat. One of those feedings was me trying to feed her. I think I am realizing how much work we have ahead of ourselves before she can come home.

Today she had an Echo to see if she still has the Pulmonary Retention (I think that is what they called it.) Don't have the results yet. She also had a neurologist come by and check her out. He said he wanted her to have a MRI next week. I believe checking for damage in the brain. I am somewhat worried about brain damage because of how her eyes look when she opens them. I am praying and hoping, though, that it is just all the medications or being so sick that has them not focusing well.

Her bilirubin was 21 Thursday morning. This morning it was 16. Normal is around 8. It was explained to me that when it is as high as 21, it can affect the brain so it is really important for it to come down. She was laying on a photo-therapy light and well as having the one on top for all of yesterday and today and her numbers are headed in the right direction.

Just before I left for the day today, she pulled out the feeding tube that was going through her mouth down her throat. She never did like having it there. I was told the night nurse would put a feeding tube down her nose instead.

I love her so much and just want to bring her home safe and healthy. I was blessed to be able to hold her for two hours today. She snuggles right into me and smiles in her sleep when I hold her.

Praise the Lord:

• She came off of the CPAP and is now on the Canula (less support)
• She has taken two feedings by bottle well
• She is crying stronger

Please pray:

• That there is no brain damage
• That her eyes are okay
• That her bilirubin will continue to come down
• That we can increase the amount of breast milk being fed (I just called her nurse and she is up to 9 mls; up from 3 yesterday)
• That she will wake up for her feedings and do well sucking from the bottle
• That eating would go well so I can start breastfeeding her soon
• That her breathing will continue to go well and that she would be able to come off of all support soon
• That Isaac's night-time cough will go away so he can see his daughter (he hasn't seen her since the day she was born).
• That Jason's and Joel's health would continue to get better
• That Jonny and I will continue to be healthy and not get sick
• For physical and emotional strength for me as I go back and forth to the hospital and try to heal from having a baby.