Monday, February 6, 2012

NICU Day 40 (January 16th)

As I type "Day 40" I can hardly even believe it has been that many days since Noelle was born.  Really?  So much has happened during that time, it's almost unbelievable.  We are still almost 5 1/2 weeks out from her original due date and even at that, she was measuring only about the size of a 22-23 week baby when she was born one day shy of 29 weeks.  Her nurse practitioner said today, "I came and looked at her today and couldn't believe how much she'd grown, and then I was even shocked that I was thinking that about a baby that currently weighs only 630 grams!!"  She did lose some weight and is down to about 1 lb. 6 oz. currently.  This is normal, but we are hoping that she starts packing on the ounces more quickly since she is starting to do so much better.  They weaned her off the nitric oxide completely today and are discussing moving her medications over to oral ones so that we can also get rid of her PICC line soon.  It's nice to see machines and lines disappear from her bedside!!  The big discussion is now is when to take her off the ventilator and try her on the CPAP machine.  We are excited for them to do it soon and yet at the same time do not want them to rush it if she isn't ready.  It looks as if it may happen this week though since she is on the lowest settings on her ventilator, and they can't wean her any more.  It looks like they will have to give her a little mask when they move to the CPAP because the smallest nose prong tube is still too big for her little nose!!  All in all, it still was a "boring" day, and we are so thankful to God for that.  Thank you for rejoicing and continually praying with us!!

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