Happy 3 Week Birthday

Today is the girls' 3 week birthday. Seems like yesterday...seems like forever. Here are today's reports:

Abigail:
Abby continues to have lung and breathing issues. She was up on her oxygen, at one point 100%, so they switched her to the rapid breathing vent which does less damage to the lungs. The vent rates have fluctuated all day. At 9:30pm, they were about 70%. Her lungs continue to appear wet and she just can't seem to get rid of the fluid in them. Her platelets were low earlier today as well so she received a blood transfusion. The blood seemed to help her blood pressure a bit so they were able to bring down the dopamine a little bit. They continue to monitor her blood gases to check the O2 level and the CO2 exchange. She did come off two of her three antibiotics and will come off the other tomorrow.

Natalie:
Natalie was off her dopamine about 24 hours and received several feedings. But, her BP dropped again and she had to go back on it. While on dopamine, feeding stop. The nurses explained that if the BP is low, then it means that al the organs and tissues are not receiving an adequate amount of blood (profusing). It make sit difficult for the stomach to digest the milk and can cause problems. So, the mil continues to pile up in my freezer and we wait for them to be feed again. Natalie came of her two antibiotics today as well. Other than her BP, she is doing pretty well.


Today was a harder day as it is hard to see them lying there so little and be unable to do anything to help them. Even touching them causes a moral conflict. They are both so sensitive to touch it generally cause them to desat and get agitated. So, do we risk making them worse, or do we lay our hands on them so they will know their mommy and daddy are there and loving them? Do they need the rest, or do they need the bonding of their mom and dad? It is such a helpless feeling to be able to do nothing that can help. Ben told me I know know how men feel when something is wrong and they can't fix it. I told him it really sucks to be a guy. It's also very hard to be a mommy without any children.


A word about milk: Since my children aren't eating, and when they are it's literally droplets at a time, the milk is piling up. My freezer is now full, and we'd started on the fridge. We are considering purchasing a freezer, but until then, if any nearby friends and family have unused freezer space you'd like to offer, we'd be very grateful. At 4 bottles a pumping and at least 5 pumping a day - you can see our dileama. Soon, we will be overrun...


ps - I posted a few more pictures yesterday. Be sure to check them out.