In time the babies will be able to make more of their own hemoglobin and they won't have their blood drawn as much so the need of transfusions will be less.
The last couple of days Annie has seemed a little congested. Normally the nurse uses a BBG (baby booger grabber) and that clears out the nose just fine. Well tonight Annie was really working hard to breathe and I talked to the nurse about it. She tried the BBG, but nothing came out. The nurse then went to a respiratory specialist (available 24/7 at the NICU thank goodness) and he came over with a special tool for the BBG and reached way back into the nose. He pulled out a lot of "stuff" and Annie started breathing much better. Because the "stuff" was quite thick he asked to have a culture taken to see if Annie may have a virus. Tomorrow we'll find out the results of the culture, but for now we're glad that Annie isn't showing any other signs of a virus (no fever at all). The thickness may be related to several days worth of congestion that was not removed.
Tonight Ann-Marie met with an Occupational Therapist named Annie (what a great name!) that helped her get started on non-nutritive breast feeding. Ruthie and Gracie both tried and showed some interest, but they were tired and that was completely expected. I held Annie and she didn't try the non-nutritive breast feeding after all she went through earlier in just trying to breathe.
So our experience goes in the NICU, some days are up and some days are down. We've been told to expect that by many people so we just try to keep a smile on our face and plug onward.
Ruthie (left), Gracie (middle), and Annie (right)
Ruthie, Gracie, and Annie
Hang in there! We are praying for you!
ReplyDeleteMore prayers!
ReplyDeleteI hope the results of the their oxygen are much better after the transfusion. You are still in our prayers. Love ya!
ReplyDeleteGlad the respiratory specialist was able to help Annie! And hope those transfusions make a difference!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of goobers in Annie's nose! I hope she was just mucked up and doesn't have a virus. Waiting for results is the worst. Once you know, the course of action becomes clear and you move forward... but waiting to move forward can make time seem like it's moving backward. I bet you're so tired of them being in-hospital and dealing with all these challenging issues -- just remember in the end, it's all a small moment. Our virtual hugs to both of you!
ReplyDeleteWe met with our Occupational Therapist today too, to work on eating! Progress can sure seem slow, but your girls are so well loved by so many. Thank goodness we live in a place they can be cared for and nurtured so tenderly and thoroughly. We love you guys!