Day 55 - Done with the Vent
Day 55 – Saturday, September 9, 2017
AGE: 7 weeks, 4 days old (32 weeks, 3 day gestation)
Lochlan: Weight is 3 lb 9.5 oz. (Birth weight: 1 lb 10.8 oz.)
Length 15.4 in. (Birth Length 13 in.)
Lex: Weight is 3 lb 5.3 oz. (Birth weight: 1 lb 10.8 oz.)
Length is 14.8 in. (Birth length: 13 in.)
The boys hit their 7-weeks-old mark this week. They are still on the NIV ventilator; there has been no need to intubate again. (Exhale.) Their respiratory system has been getting a bit tired so they have required slightly higher ventilator settings. They started a steroid inhaler that should help, but what they need more than anything is time.
This week the twins had their first eye exam. Being on high oxygen settings for an extended amount of time puts premature infants at risk of eye damage. The test did not show anything alarming, but the boys’ eyes are too immature at this point to really tell if there is damage. Their eyes will be checked again in a couple weeks. I was asked to bring in clothes because they may need them soon when they get moved to a crib. Once the babes are over 1500 grams (3 lb 5 oz.) and are able to regulate their body heat, they can move into a crib. Another important milestone.
Lex entered the 3 lb club this week. His ventilator settings are a bit higher than Lochlan’s and so we had a second round of steroids which should help.
Lochlan had a cranial ultrasound Tuesday and we met with the pediatric neurosurgeon. There was less pressure and the midline shift had reduced from 5 mm to 4 mm. There is no further bleeding and no signs/symptoms which means that the shunt appears to be doing its job. There is still a 90% chance that he will need a permanent shunt put in once he is over 4 lbs. We know that another neurosurgery is very likely and will cross that bridge when and if we get to it.
Overall, both babies are starting to act and look like newborns. They like to flash smiles, are getting some fat on their bones, have developed a love for the pacifier, try to lift their heads and use their eyes to look at their surroundings. We get to visit once a day and if we are lucky we get to hold. The nurses are getting to know our boys which is great because they know what to expect based on their behavior. This is the first week I can truly say that I see light at the end of the tunnel. I understand they still have a lot of progress to be made, but I now know it’s on its way.
All I can say and think is that it is going to be a great Christmas! Is it too early to start decorating?
