NICU Day 9 (December 16th)

 ***Written by Chris McDowell, Jill's Mother***

Today brought mixed emotions. Noelle is tolerating the reintroduction of the feedings very well. They were to increase the amount they are giving her sometime today. The amount they are raising to is the amount they originally gave her, but she has done well the last 24 hours so they feel her system may be adapting.
They are "bumping down" the ventilator setting. There is one area of her lung that looks to be "lagging" behind. It is believed to be because the ventilator is doing too much of the work and her oxygen saturation levels are good so they will back the ventilator down to do a bit less which in turn should make Noelle's lungs work more and thus continue to mature.
She is on the medication for the hyperthyroidism. Hopefully we will start seeing the results of this in the next couple of days -- blood sugars more steady, the slight "bulging" of her eyes receding, and her gaining more weight just to mention some. She has put on a bit of weight.
She was awake more today and looking around.
Major prayer concern (along with the regulars) is that a new doctor was on service today and expressed concern about the comparison of last week's ultrasound on the brain (which we've been told was fine) to this week's ultrasound of the brain. He is concerned there might be an increase in fluid in the brain -- which could be very problematic. He is asking for a pediatric radiologist to review it, but in the meantime Jill and Tom are in limbo and not really sure what this would mean nor what to expect. Lack of sleep, recovery from C-section and for Tom going back to work this week -- it's all a bit overwhelming. They are praying and just trying to stay focused and not react. The doctor that was the neonatologist present for Noelle's birth is on duty tomorrow so they are going to meet with him and go over some of this "stuff" in detail with him tomorrow (as long as he doesn't get called to an emergency delivery or such).
I know they would greatly appreciate everyone's continued prayers as all this continues to get worked out and figured out. Noelle is so far away from being "out of the woods" that it can be overwhelming not knowing what God actually has in store and like Jill said, "sometimes it's not even about you, but what God is trying to accomplish through you in someone else's life". It's just not always fun walking the road and even more difficult when tired emotionally and physically. They are doing well, but I thought I'd share a bit more so you all could pray a bit more specifically right now. Thank you so much and God bless.

Noelle's Birthday ~ December 8th

~Daddy and His Baby Girl~

  ***Written by Chris McDowell, Jill's Mother***

Baby Noelle Christine was born today, December 8th at 11:27 AM by emergency C-section. She weighs 356 grams (12.55 oz.) and is 9.4 inches long. The doctors were hoping not to deliver this soon with the concern for the health problems she has had, but Jill woke at 3:30 AM and realized something wasn't right. They called the hospital and after arriving and Noelle being checked out by ultrasound the doctor knew there wasn't much time to get her out. The blood flow in the umbilical artery was reversing during part of Jill's heart beat. Noelle couldn't survive at that point in the womb so they delivered her by C-section. She came out crying and kicking and grabbed and held Tom's finger for just a bit before they inserted a breathing tube and took her to the NICU. She started out on 45% oxygen and by this evening they said she was doing so well they decreased it to 30%. The doctors and nurses say she is feisty and a fighter. We will find out the results of the brain and kidney ultrasounds in the morning (these were done tonight). The ultrasound on the heart will be done tomorrow. Physically she looks well-formed and her EKG is looking good. Jill is doing well so far. No problems with her bleeding disorder. She should be able to be up walking around tomorrow. We greatly appreciate everyone's continued prayer.