We got results for the MRI, EEG, and some more blood work late last night. Everything came back clean and negative, which means we learned nothing—and that's a good thing. All we could have learned from those tests is that something is wrong so, as we've done since late January, we focus on the fact that despite what the doctors tell us, all indications are positive. You really wouldn't know anything was wrong if there wasn't a doctor to tell you so. With all of these results back, it will probably be a few weeks before we actually learn anything. Until then, all that we know is positive, and that makes it easier to stay positive ourselves.
The neonatologist stopped by on his way home last night and commented again how surprised he is at the amount of improvement in her skull shape. This is really great news because as the shape of her head begins to approach normal we start to think that the pressure on her brain might not be as bad as we were originally told. That would be a great sign for her future development. The nurses also commented this morning that her ears seem to be mysteriously creeping their way back up her head into an almost normal position as well, and Robyn and I have noticed that her lower jaw is moving into a more normal position too. None of these things were supposed to happen, and we're thankful for every piece of good news.
Kathryn herself seems to be doing well. She's cuter than ever, and getting better at eating. The shape of her palate makes feeding difficult, but one of the many benefits of being in the NICU is constant access to the lactation consultants (or, as I've taken to calling them, "boobie instructors"). These ladies have helped Robyn learn how to use hers really well, and Kathryn seems to be doing a lot better. Yesterday she was put on formula to supplement the breast milk, but today she doesn't seem to want it anymore and gets almost everything she needs from Robyn. She even started urinating a little today which made me happier than I ever thought I could feel about baby pee. This is all normal newborn stuff, but for us it's one more sign that she's developing normally, and it means she's one step closer to leaving NICU and coming home! There is still some uncertainty about exactly which requirements need to be met before she can leave, but this is definitely one of them. We're hoping we'll learn more tonight and she'll be released soon, since Robyn is now on "boarder" status and not a patient. That means she's welcome to use a room for free so she can be close to Kathryn and the NICU as long as they don't need it for a new patient. If a bunch of you ladies come in and give birth, Robyn goes home—so keep your legs crossed for a few more days (especially you, Cia)! Kathryn's bilirubin levels are staying surprisingly low, and she hasn't needed to be under the bill light yet. That will probably change, but for now jaundice remains in the "concern" category, and hasn't moved to the "problem" category, and as far as problems go, jaundice isn't a big one. This too means she's one step closer to leaving NICU.
Being in NICU has some good benefits, like putting Kathryn on a SOLID three hour cycle, but it adds a lot of stress to our lives as well. The constant feedings are normal baby stuff, but that hour between feedings that we would normally use to sleep and eat is more like 15 minutes after nurses, Kathryn's specialists, Robyn's doctors, visitors, and flower delivery people are through stepping in for "just a quick second." It's starting to weigh on Robyn today, and she really wants to sleep for more than a few minutes at a time. I made a trip to the house this afternoon to do laundry and pick up a few things, and being out in the sunlight for the first time in days did wonders for me. Tonight we're going to sneak out of the hospital and sit down to eat a real meal between feedings. Wish us luck!
Today has been a good day, but that's easy when all the news is good—or, at least not bad. Once we learn more fully what her condition is we'll have a different reality to face. For now, spirits are high and we're enjoying our time with Kathryn.
Originally posted to http://www.carepages.com/carepages/KathrynElizabethSchlichter
The neonatologist stopped by on his way home last night and commented again how surprised he is at the amount of improvement in her skull shape. This is really great news because as the shape of her head begins to approach normal we start to think that the pressure on her brain might not be as bad as we were originally told. That would be a great sign for her future development. The nurses also commented this morning that her ears seem to be mysteriously creeping their way back up her head into an almost normal position as well, and Robyn and I have noticed that her lower jaw is moving into a more normal position too. None of these things were supposed to happen, and we're thankful for every piece of good news.
Kathryn herself seems to be doing well. She's cuter than ever, and getting better at eating. The shape of her palate makes feeding difficult, but one of the many benefits of being in the NICU is constant access to the lactation consultants (or, as I've taken to calling them, "boobie instructors"). These ladies have helped Robyn learn how to use hers really well, and Kathryn seems to be doing a lot better. Yesterday she was put on formula to supplement the breast milk, but today she doesn't seem to want it anymore and gets almost everything she needs from Robyn. She even started urinating a little today which made me happier than I ever thought I could feel about baby pee. This is all normal newborn stuff, but for us it's one more sign that she's developing normally, and it means she's one step closer to leaving NICU and coming home! There is still some uncertainty about exactly which requirements need to be met before she can leave, but this is definitely one of them. We're hoping we'll learn more tonight and she'll be released soon, since Robyn is now on "boarder" status and not a patient. That means she's welcome to use a room for free so she can be close to Kathryn and the NICU as long as they don't need it for a new patient. If a bunch of you ladies come in and give birth, Robyn goes home—so keep your legs crossed for a few more days (especially you, Cia)! Kathryn's bilirubin levels are staying surprisingly low, and she hasn't needed to be under the bill light yet. That will probably change, but for now jaundice remains in the "concern" category, and hasn't moved to the "problem" category, and as far as problems go, jaundice isn't a big one. This too means she's one step closer to leaving NICU.
Being in NICU has some good benefits, like putting Kathryn on a SOLID three hour cycle, but it adds a lot of stress to our lives as well. The constant feedings are normal baby stuff, but that hour between feedings that we would normally use to sleep and eat is more like 15 minutes after nurses, Kathryn's specialists, Robyn's doctors, visitors, and flower delivery people are through stepping in for "just a quick second." It's starting to weigh on Robyn today, and she really wants to sleep for more than a few minutes at a time. I made a trip to the house this afternoon to do laundry and pick up a few things, and being out in the sunlight for the first time in days did wonders for me. Tonight we're going to sneak out of the hospital and sit down to eat a real meal between feedings. Wish us luck!
Today has been a good day, but that's easy when all the news is good—or, at least not bad. Once we learn more fully what her condition is we'll have a different reality to face. For now, spirits are high and we're enjoying our time with Kathryn.
Originally posted to http://www.carepages.com/carepages/KathrynElizabethSchlichter
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