"She Looks Like A Science Experiment!!"

~What in the world did you do to me?!!!~

~Finally Asleep~

~Early Morning After A Restless Night~

~This really was not so fun, Mommy!!~

"She looks like a science experiment!" was the text I sent to Tom on the night of Noelle's sleep study at the hospital after the staff was finished gluing and taping sensors, wires, and tubes all over her head and face.  She tolerated it fairly well, although I did "chicken out" and allowed her to forgo wearing the helmet on top of all the various items attached to her.  Thankfully, we did not have to wait long to discover the results, but we were very surprised at what they discovered.  The pulmonologist called late the next day to tell us that Noelle had completely failed the sleep study, and they had determined that she had both obstructive and central sleep apnea.  They prefer that babies fall within a "normal" range of 1 to 10 episodes per hour, although even one episode gives them cause for concern.  Noelle averaged 39.7 episodes per hour, which has caused everyone to start jumping into action through this past week.  We were quickly scheduled to see an ENT specialist this week to determine if her adenoids and tonsils might be an issue, and everyone was hoping for an "easy fix."  However, babies this young usually do not have such issues, and Noelle (for once in her life) has fallen into that normal category with no tonsil or adenoid issues at this time.  Because of this, the treatment plan becomes much more complicated and drastic, and her medical team is currently discussing options and developing a new care plan for addressing this serious issue.  I will refrain from getting into details on the possible treatment since they are incredibly numerous and serious, but we are earnestly praying right now for God to intervene in a way that would allow us to avoid drastic or severe treatment of this issue and are hopeful that with time and growth, it may resolve itself.  The medical team is currently weighing all the pros and cons to her current issues (such as pulmonary hypertension and chronic lung disease) and determining whether or not we have that time to watch and wait or if they need to aggressively treat this as soon as possible.  In the meantime, we are waiting for answers and just enjoying each moment with our sweet girl who is filling out and looking more and more like a term baby each day.  She now weighs approximately 8lbs. 6oz., and the doctors are incredibly pleased with the growth she has demonstrated since her last hospital stay.  Thank you, as always, for your fervent and faithful prayers for our little girl.  We do not take them for granted and will continue to update on this situation as we receive information ourselves.  Below are some pictures from the last couple of weeks of sweet life with Noelle....

~Carrots!!  Pretty Bland..My Cannula Is Better!.~

~Adores Her Daddy~

~Sweet, Tiny Hands in Daddy's Big Hand~

~Loves to Look Out the Window~

~Daddy is Fascinating!!~