Hello again,
Last night j8earette jr came in at 2500 grams. This works out to a little over 5lbs8oz. She is doing very well, growing consistently and continuing to get stronger and healthier all the time. She is not out of the woods yet, however. Her heart is still beating like a premmie upwards of 150 bpm (that 110-120 stuff mentioned earlier was a fluke) and her respitory rate is still rediculously high, at around 80 to 100 breaths per minute (you and I are around 15-20). So she still has some progress to make.
We have been largely unsuccessful in compressing her feeds (bolus feeds) as she gets some pretty crazy esophogial reflux (heart burn) and has trouble with these compressed feeds as a result. Her respiratory rate is still to high to get her on a bottle, but she does seem to throughly enjoy mamma bears nipples for short stints....obviously Daddy's little girl ;-)
She is still in the Nicu at the earlier mentioned 'best hospital in the world,' however probably doesn't need intensive care any more and the Doctors (and insurance company) are working deligently to find her a bed in a transitional care facility. This will be the next step it seems before we can get her home.
We're getting closer and closer, but still need patience and steadfastness. It's amazing what you can summon up from within to cope with and handle life's little curve balls. I speak particularly of my wife and my daughter. The bear cub is a true warrior and momma bear is an absolute rock of support for her cub. Both truly amaze me
One scary theory some intern genetist came up with is that j8earette jr suffers from a condition called noonan's syndrome. Some obscure genetic mutation disorder characterized by a heart defect and an 'unusual looking face' ???? Whatever! It could result in absolutely nothing or in the long run an inability to function independantly as an adult. Who cares! The Resident wasn't so sure about the interns theories, and either way it changes nothing. The treatment...watch her closely. Duh...we're going to watch her closely regardless.
OK sweetie, your crib is assembled, your stuffed animals are in place and your closet is full of the prettiest dresses and outfits you can imagine. When ever your ready to take it for a test rest, play with them, or try them on, we'll be waiting.
My little warrior. I've got your back pumpkin. You can count on me. I promise this like no other promise I have ever made.
-bear
btw...as I was walking into the NICU last night one of the Attendings stopped me to let me know that everynight just before I get there j8earette jr gets all fussy and hot under the collar. Everynight, she said, she expects you to come pick her up and love on her, and the nurses love it too since they can concentrate on other things while I'm around. Turns out I'm kind of helpful! It's funny because I've noticed myself that lately at around my arrival time she is all hot and bothered, crying, and generally screaming bloody murder at the top of her lungs (don't worry pumpkin...you are, without question, entitled
), then as soon as I start washing up and wispering my little hocus spocus's in her ears she settles right down. It is tough to describe what a feeling of complete satisfaction and euphoria this brings ~me~. She's not quite smiling yet, but she is definately exhibiting some facial expressions, as a result of my presence. Almost like she is trying to work out exactly how those facial muscles work, and what the various contortions of them result in. I'll be bamboozled if she isn't working things out and learning herself a thing a two