Thursday July 31, 2008

Dr. Hiller said we are “very close” to going home. Thus, we started a new plan. The girls are going to feed orally for all feedings – about half “home cooked” and the other half “casual dining” or “take n bake” (bottle feeding). Or at least they will try to do all orally – if it doesn’t work, we will revert to gavage. But, we are trying to limit the gavage as much as possible. Maggie has done well on her oral feedings all day. However, poor Evie is just so sleepy she can’t wake up enough to eat. I’m pretty sure she wants to be a baby that eats for an hour and then sleeps for 4 or more, but unfortunately she doesn’t have that option yet. Evie also has an issue where she is surprised by sucking and getting milk that she vaguls and drops her heart rate and saturation. She does that about once per feeding and we have to get the oxygen mask out. So, Evie is going to take a bit more work – but hopefully it was just an off day and tomorrow will be better.

Evie is still on her supplemental oxygen and will more than likely go home on oxygen. She did have a few hours today where she was off of it, but then she woke up and needed up to 40% blend again. Only time will tell, but hopefully Evie will keep growing out of her lung issues and will only need the oxygen for a month or two. Actually, Maggie will likely go home on oxygen too since we live at a higher elevation – but in her case it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

So, this is good news for today – we have a plan to work toward and it feels like we are finally on the downhill slope.

Tonight we send a few prayers for easy diagnosis, quick resolution and healing for my cousin once removed Blake Levery – son of Miea (Brewington) and Brad Levery. He is one year old and in the ICU down in Texas.