Saturday, April 2, 2011

Well Grace was doing very well and they were talking about starting to Trial her off the ECMO, starting Thursday. Well it turns out she's not having any title volumes in her lungs so she is not ready. She is not filling them on her own yet more or less I think is the general idea there. So they are waiting and letting her rest more. They will hopefully begin at the beginning of the week, but if she isnt filling them they will up her vent and try some other things. Pray that she begins to use them. Hopfully after some rest this weekend she can. She gets herself very worked up, coughing to try to get her tubes out and looking around and trying to act like a normal newborn. When people touch and talk to her too much she gets too excited and then has to be sedated again because she is just working too hard on getting out of here! We are going to reduce her stimulation and see if it helps.
 Dr Molitor came in and talked with us yesterday about a concern of theirs and it was pretty upsetting. Grace has a cranial ultrasound done every other day to make sure she does not develop a brain bleed from the ECMO and all the blood thinners that she is on. She does not have a bleed but rather they have found a small area of her brain where she somehow did not recieve enough oxygen to. They don't really know at all what this means for her because ultrasound is not able to diagnose something like that, she will need an MRI, which she is not stable enough for. When she is off ECMO she will get one. Pray that it's small and on an area of the brain that is just not going to matter much. Her nurse made me feel alot better about it than I was at first. She said it wont set back when she goes home at all, it will just depend on how it affects her when she is there. 
She told me as soon as Grace is off ECMO we can hold her, and if I want to sit and hold her 24/7 then I will sit and hold her 24/7. I can't wait. I want that sweet girl in my arms so much. She is so wonderful she likes to hold our hands and have them up by her face. She likes to suck a pacifier as best as she can too
Giving her my colostrum has stopped for the time being, since its so exciting for her. She really likes it alot htough so that makes me really happy and gives me hope for nursing her one day. Pray she does not become a poor feeder. (She's a Hall and a Fisher, she has to like to eat! ha!)
Pray for our boys to not be having too hard of a time without us. And pray for rest for Grace. She gets very annoyed by the sounds of the NICU. There are two babies by her that just cry ALOT. They can't help it, one is sick and one doesnt get alot of attention. BUT they agitate her, the door closing agitates her since she right by it.
Over all though her nurse Jennifer, who will be one of her constant care nurses says that she is doing nothing that they would NOT expect. She said so far she is going on a "normal" course for CDH.

6 comments:

  1. Miranda our prayers are with you. I hope they are able to control the bleed and that nothing else comes up.

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  2. Dave and Diann ClaassenApril 02, 2011 9:19 AM

    We are praying for all of you.

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  3. My continued prayers are with you.

    I remember Andrew being VERY sensitive to everything around him especially while he was on ECMO. They even posted a sign on his bed to remind eveyone that he was very sensitive. Everything would get him upset - doors, other babies, all the doctors. I wished he could have been in a more private setting especially when he was on ECMO but our hospital just didn't have that kind of NICU. It was always very busy in the room he was in. That was tough.

    Thinking of you and praying that Grace has a stable, boring weekend!

    Michele
    Mom to Andrew
    CDH/ECMO Survivor

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  4. One more item I wanted to mention - as another person commented - there are CDH support groups out there - check out www.cdhsupport.org - this is the website of CHERUBS - there is a ton of info on this site. They also have a facebook page. The people there are wonderful and can provide you with alot of support. I know there are other groups out there as well but CHERUBS is the one I have connected with - sometimes it is nice to chat with others that know what you are going through -

    Michele
    Mom to Andrew
    CDH/ECMO Survivor

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  5. Miranda -- I am so glad to hear that everything sounds like it is moving along as best as 'possible'! I will keep Grace and your family in my thoughts in prayers.

    I have a son also and am worried how he will handle us living in the NICU for awhile without him. So I completely understand you missing the boys and I will pray for them also.

    Janna Caravia
    Due with CDH Baby Boy 4/26/11
    www.ourcdhstory.blogspot.com

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  6. Hi there. Im very sorry you are going through the CDH journey. Our boy was on ECMO way too long, 3 wks, and intubated for 9. He did not do well for a long time, and drs fought w each other to leave him on ECMO. But they did. And he is here. It is so hard during these times and we have 4 other kids. Please find CHERUBS FB page as you will get a lot of support there. It is very overwelming, I know. =( Prayers for you sweet baby today and PLEASE feel free to ask anything or check out my blog.
    Devon, Camden's mom

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