Okay, so, sometimes a lot of you have questions on what is happening with the boys. Sometimes we know, and sometimes we just think we know. For instance, when the nurses tell us something in the NICU, we say yes we understand. Then we get home and try to explain it, and then we realize we don't know what the heck we are talking about, and we are more confused than when we went in. This has been the situation with Patrick's infection. We have been very confused, but I think, by George, we finally got it! Let's see how this goes. They took a blood culture on him two days prior. It came back with an infection, the In (I can never remember the middle) ococcus one. He was already on antibiotics, and the ones that he was on were ones that would treat this. They always do follow up cultures, and they treat til it is negative. They did a repeat blood culture. It takes three days for it to grow. The first 24 hours it was negative, however, it started to grow bacteria at 48. Therefore, he does have an infection still. They think it is a different organism, but they are not sure yet. Hopefully whatever it comes back with , can be treated with whatever he is on now. It could just be that the antibiotics have not had a chance to work since it has only been two days. They did remove his PICC line, which stinks, but they want to make sure that it isn't the bacteria culprit. When he is negative for infection for more than 48 hours, they will attempt to place another one. Then eventually restart his feedings. His forehead IV was out today, they said it wasn't patent anymore. His O2 was down to somewhere in the 30s. Which is great. His belly is staying tender, and it looks better each day. They said it would stay green for awhile. he did respond a little bit when I spoke to him, and on occasion gives a little wave. His weight has stayed at 1 lb 6 oz, which is good. I was worried that his weight gain may have been because of all the bile in his belly. It has stayed the same after all the drainage, so I am hoping that it is a real weight. His urine is no longer red, it is staying a normal color. I got to hold his hand for a little bit tonight, and take his temp. I love holding their hands, I could hold them for hours. I could just stare at them for hours too. It is amazing how much love you can have for someone that you barely have been able to interact with.
Brady is holding strong too. He is still getting his antibiotics for his urinary infection. He was sleeping really well tonight, so we didn't bother him that much. He loves sleeping on his back, slightly to his side. when I said hello, he opened his eyes for me and looked up. He went back to sleep after. Sometimes I want them to interact with me so I know, they are good, but I forget that they really don't want them moving. We decided that since he was having a good night, we would not disturb him so much. They were going to try to wean his O2 down more this evening. he was also in the 30's.
We bought them some blankets today and some bins. The nurses said that we can bring in a bin for each of them. The babies that have been there for awhile have bins with their names on them full of their blankies, toys, and things from their parents. We are going to decorate them tomorrow and fill them with stuff from home. That way they have stuff to call their own. Then they will have a place to keep their little clothes when they get big enough to wear them. I am really excited to do this. It sounds so stupid, because they don't know that they have belongings, or even what is happening. It makes me feel better though because it makes me feel like they are more real. Like I can say, this is Patrick's blanket, or that is Brady's hat. I think it gives me hope, and even though they have no clue, I like the thought of them knowing that they have stuff from their mom and dad. Does that make sense? Again, so stupid, but it makes me feel better anyway.
So that is the story tonight. I think they are going to get recheck ultrasounds tomorrow, and hopefully that will bring good news.
Good night all!
Em and Craig
Hey Em,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the babies are doing better. I bought a lot of clothes for one of my very good friends off this website: http://www.preemieproud.com/13lbsboytnis.html
She had a micro preemie too and she said it made her feel so much better knowing and seeing her daughter with her super tiny clothes in NICU.
Hope it helps. :) Meredith B.