XP: Past 72 hours and still going well for Adalyn!

DrRx · February 2012

Past 72 hours and still going well for Adalyn!

As an update, Adalyn actually started getting 1ml every 6 hours of my breast milk on her 2nd day of life, and her heart echo ultrasound showed everything normal (the ductus closed, etc). Our next big milestone is her head ultrasound to check for bleeding that is seen in preemies, especially micro-preemies. I will tell you that since I had the steroid shots, there is a much lesser chance of having the brain bleed. They're not quite sure why, but it has been associated with fewer incidence of this. Now, it is not 100% fool-proof, ie, just because you get the steroid shot prevents her from getting the brain bleed, but just makes it much less likely. The main thing about the steroids is that they help mature the lungs so that preemies have a greater chance at survival.

Her head ultrasound will be Saturday, but we may not get the results until Sunday or Monday. It doesn't really matter, since there isn't much to be done if she does have bleeding at this time. If she does, she may or may not need surgeries, etc. However, we're not going to worry about that until we have the info. Part of her right lung collapsed, which isn't great, but it isn't as serious as it could be. They are having her lay on her left side to help with that (no chest tube or anything). The 2nd xray done last night showed an improvement, and hopefully it will be better, if not completely gone by this morning when they do another Xray. The fact that she has this, and her oxygenation and breathing are still good with low vent settings, is really wonderful. She also had a blood transfusion on her 2nd day of life, but again, that is normal for a micro-preemie, which is what she is.

She is past 72 hours and so far things have been better than expected. If this was the "honeymoon period" that preemies get, it would be over by now and more interventions would be needed. Luckily, the neonatologists, the nurses, and the respiratory team all say that she is doing really well for her gestational age. They are pleased with her progress so far. We've still got a LONG way to go, and we've been told that life in the NICU will have wonderful days and not-so-wonderful days. It will be a roller coaster of rides, and the best thing to do is to enjoy the good days and not focus on the bad days.

I now live my life around her "Hands On" time, which is every 6 hours, at 8a, 2p, 8p, and 2a. It is a truly emotional experience that, although limited, we still get to do what every new parent of a newborn gets to do, which is to change their diaper, wipe their eyes, and soothe them when they get fussy. Last night I changed my first poopy diaper, and I got some poop on my hand! I said "It makes me feel like a mom, since I got poop on my finger!" It really helps us deal and cope with this very stressful event that is occurring in our lives!

I'm not sure if I posted it here or on another board, but the day before yesterday, one of the neonatologist taught us how to soothe her. We had been talking and her heart rate was elevated and she was fidgeting around (arms and legs kicking, etc). She had me cup her head and her feet (so that she could push up against my feet) and my husband put his hand over her midsection and arm. We spoke to her softly and did this, and within a minute or 2, her heart rate dropped to normal and she stopped fidgeting. It was so amazing that she responded to us, and that we were able to do what a normal new parent of a newborn gets to do, which is to soothe them. I can't tell you what an emotional event that was for me. Smile .

Here's a picture of that that the neonatologist took for us. Don't you love the "sunglasses" that she's wearing, which is because she is under the UV light because of high bilirubin (which has been going down). Smile

drubie · February 2012

So, so happy to see such a positive update! She has so many people rooting for her, as do you, momma!

DesiraeSunshine · February 2012

Great update.

missjul61 · February 2012

Loving the updates. Glad things are continuing to go well!

ukcats27 · February 2012

What a great update!

ccam · February 2012

Sounds like things are going well - great update!!

ELF4321 · February 2012

So happy to see this update. Continued prayers for her to get bigger and stronger each day.

babystinkbreath · February 2012

I haven't had a chance to respond to your posts over the last couple of days but I have been reading all of them and sending lots of T+Ps your way. My DH is too, as I told him about your little girl and showed him the pic.

I'm so glad to hear this and praying that things continue to go well. Your little Adalyn is a fighter.

jillychris · February 2012

I've been lurking over here more than usual, hoping to see an update!! So very glad to hear that things are going well. Praying for lots of good days for you!

byrne15 · February 2012

I look forward to your updates!

kzawisl · February 2012

drubie:
So, so happy to see such a positive update! She has so many people rooting for her, as do you, momma!

This! So glad to see this!

kimikins79 · February 2012

Yay! I was hoping for an update on Adalyn!

Also, I wanted to tell you my DH's cousin had a micropremie - she went into labor at 24 weeks, they gave her steroids and other medicine and also tried to stop the labor. They were able to keep off labor until week 26, when she was born. Her name is Madeline and we call her Miracle Maddie. She is a happy, healthy, developmentally sound almost 3 year old. She is wonderful, and just about the cutest, funniest little girl you could meet!

Hoping and praying Adalyn continues doing as well as she is! Best wishes.

lovebug33 · February 2012

So glad that she is doing well!

jbeck78 · February 2012

Yay, for a update..it sounds like you all are doing great..your poop story brought tears to my eyes I bet it is full of emotions..you have lots of people praying for little Adalyn!!

Beckla74 · February 2012

That pic made me cry happy tears.

snoangel79 · February 2012

So happy to hear!! She is a little superstar!! Please continue to update us when you can and you are all in our thoughts and prayers!!

MoFree · February 2012

Thanks for the great update on your little fighter.

TJ1979 · February 2012

So great to hear that things are going so well. Keep up the good work! And did I mention that I absolutely LOVE her name? So precious.

firewife9278 · February 2012

What a wonderful update!!

amberleeb · February 2012

Glad to hear that she is doing so well. It helps when you have such a positive mama!

love2b_mrst · February 2012

I'm so glad everything is going as well as can be expected. Continued T&P's for you all!

mdiblasi10 · February 2012

I am so happy to hear that she is continuing to do well! Thank you so much for keeping us updated

wordslikeswords · February 2012

I'm so glad to hear she is doing well. I'll continue to pray for your family and please keep us updated on her progress!

lunatwo · February 2012

That's great news! Keep us posted, we are all sending her positive energy.

Aegis2005 · February 2012

So glad to hear she's doing so well!

lovemygs · February 2012

I'm loving your positive updates!! Continued thoughts and prayers your way!

doggie mama · February 2012

That is fantastic.

Ya Never Know · February 2012

I'm so happy to hear that Adalyn seems to be doing so well.

Sending you guys lots of T&P's that your baby girl continues to do well. She's beautiful.

mandalinn25 · February 2012

We are keeping sweet Adalyn in our thoughts. If you don't mind I will light a candle in her honor too. Hugs.

naybird · February 2012

Great update!! T&P still going your way.

allie76 · February 2012

She is such a fighter! I'm so glad she continues to improve.

cutebride73 · February 2012

So glad that everything is going so well!

DrRx · February 2012

mandalinn25:
We are keeping sweet Adalyn in our thoughts. If you don't mind I will light a candle in her honor too. Hugs.

That is so sweet! Of course I don't mind! We need all the positive energy we can get! Thank you so much!!!

km0426 · February 2012

I'm so happy to hear she is doing well! I came on hoping to see just such an update. continuing to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. stay strong little one!