Monday, May 11, 2009

Another Step Forward


Andrea reached another milestone today. Her weight is 1605 grams, or 3 pounds, 8.6 ounces. She broke the 3 1/2 pound mark! She is getting three bottle feedings a day, of 30 ml (1 ounce!) of fortified milk. She still has a feeding tube in her mouth, for the other 5 feedings. Today, the nurse remarked about why the tube wasn't in her nose. Since it's in her mouth, it needs to be removed before each bottle feeding, or Andrea can't make a good seal around the bottle. The nurse decided to replace the tube in Andrea's nose. Now we know why the previous nurses kept putting it in her mouth. As soon as the nurse tried to insert the feeding tube, Andrea decided to stop breathing. She was not in distress, and the nurse was not blocking her airway. Andrea was just annoyed, and made sure we knew it. Her oxygen level dropped to about 60%, and her heart rate slowed to 60 beats a minute. (It's usually about 160) As soon as the nurse stopped trying to put the tube in, Andrea's oxygen level improved and she was back to normal in no time!


Andrea started getting physical therapy (PT) today. A therapist will come every day, Monday through Friday, to work on muscle tone and range of motion with Andrea. She will also help reshape Andrea's head. Andrea did very well in her first session today. Of course, she complained loudly, so that we didn't think we got away with anything, but she tolerated the movements and maintained her oxygen saturation levels. As we get closer to discharge, the therapist will teach us how to work with Andrea, so she continues to develop strong muscles and bones.
"Great changes may not happen right away, but with effort even the difficult may become easy." Bill Blackman


1 comment:

  1. Andrea reminded me of a tiny baby bird when she was born - all very fragile and vunerable! Just look at her now she's getting her feathers!!! Absolutely beautiful!! (Wait till she learns how to fly)!!
    God Bless you all. sue x

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