Where to start?
The last 24 hours have been more difficult than I would have liked. Between the post-partum hormones and everything going on with Oliver. I am quickly learning that support, family, friends, are all very important during a time like this. We are all only so strong.
Having a preemie in the NICU is definitely a roller coaster. Things had been going so well, although he was still on oxygen (the jet-pack) and that hadn’t changed much. This morning I received a phone call from the hospital before I made it in there.
His blood pressure had been very low. An x-ray was showing bubbles around his tummy. There was concern of infection and possibly NEC. They had to get my approval to do a lumbar puncture to test for infections. They were putting him on dopamine for the blood pressure. Back on antibiotics to fight any possible infection. The word “infection” is just scary at this point.
None of which I wanted to hear. I headed in to the NICU as quickly as possible.
They had already done the lumbar puncture and sent that off. They were doing a new heart ultrasound when I got there. Good news was the heart ultrasound was all good, nothing there to report.
They then did another blood draw to send in for cultures. I hate watching him being poked so much. Once they finished that they got him all bundled up and comfy again. The dopamine worked for getting his BP back up which was good news. They were however concerned with some of the blood draws, the hemoglobin levels were high and they wanted to do a blood transfusion, which was done this afternoon.
Since then we have had a slew of GOOD news, but this morning was scary. His oxygen levels were back to ‘normal’ for him. The dopamine was stopped. The blood transfusion did well. The second x-ray was better and they determined that it was NOT NEC. It appears that the bubbles are from bowel back up, probably because he still has not pooped. They are continuing the antibiotics for 48 hours to be sure while the blood cultures are finished. If nothing there, they will be stopped after 48 hours, if something they will be continued for a week.
They also did the brain ultrasound today — NO bleeds. 🙂
I feel like there are a million other things to update on after today but the bottom line is, the NICU is a roller coaster. I am just at the beginning. Tomorrow morning at 11:44am, he will be one week!
Hang in there, mom!
It sounds like he is doing really well all things considered. We’ve had 2 close friends with 26 weekers so we have watched this roller coaster more than once. God bless you.
Thinking about you and praying for your sweet boy, that he grows stronger and healthier everyday.
Hang in there Laura. I imagine this is extremely overwhelming for you even above & beyond the normal. You had such uncomplicated pregnancies & births before, minus your cyst with Tristan. I’ve only been on the edges of this but it was stressful. C was basically full term & they couldn’t find anything wrong with him but there was constantly something new & wrong every time I went to see him. A was much better, just 24 hours & everything kept getting better. Just be a strong advocate, I know things are more complicated & risky for Oliver & so much is confusing but don’t go against your instinct. I regretted anytime I did. Vent whenever you need to & talk with hubby a lot. I don’t know how expressive he is but mine didn’t want to burden me so it took a lot for him to show his fear.
Thank you for allowing us to journey with you through this ride. Praying for your son!
Keep the faith! blessings to that sweet baby boy and I will say a prayer for his improving strength and endurance. May God keep you strong and know that you are loved!!