Where to start…
Both girls are doing great and both are out of their isolets. They're holding their temperatures well. As of this moment both girls are now back together in Round Rock so we are all very relieved. This should not only be much easier logistically but many people have told us that being near each other can be better for them both. It will certainly be better for us not having to go to St. David's twice a day to see her. Samantha's transfer is also great news because they wouldn't transfer her until her cystic fibrosis test came back negative along with some other tests. It also means they are reasonably medically certain (doctors…) that her intestinal problems are in the past.
They're both taking p.o. feedings (by mouth) multiple times per day and are doing well, they are both at full feedings which is 150 mL/kg/day. They are also both off caffeine which, coupled with a cessation of apnea episodes, is a requirement of going home. The other requirement, which is the bigger achievement, is that they must move from 2 – 3 p.o. feedings per day to all 8. The encouraging thing is that everyone we've talked to (nurses, nurse practitioners and doctors) have all said that this is not a gradual process. They said it is as if a light switch goes off in their cute little heads that once it goes off they just get it and p.o. feed from then on.
As Jaclyn has said we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They've already talked to us about rooming in. Rooming in is when the parents spend a night or two in the hospital with the babies in the room sans the monitors. This helps parents make the transition to home where they cannot depend on monitors and nurses, but the nurses will be available while rooming in when needed. I originally thought that I would not need this because I already have had a baby and as you all know I am not by nature a panicky guy. Recently though the thought of having the two of them home without heart, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate monitors has been daunting. I know they say they won't let them come home until they don't need monitors anymore but that really doesn't help. This will hopefully be a good transition step and is only done shortly before they are ready to go home.
The process is not over but I would like to thank everyone for all the support we've gotten over the last month or so. We could not have done it without you and we can't wait to see you all and have you meet the newest Johnsons. The hospital did a good job of pre-warning us and I wanted to pay that forward and let everyone know about what it will be like when the kids come home at first. As with all newborns they are vulnerable to disease and sickness and as preemies they are more so. They have told us that for the first month or two they won't be able to go to the mall or church (large gatherings of people) and that we must be very restrictive in how many visitors see them at first. Jaclyn and I would love to have a big party on the day they come home (probably won't be the same day) and have you all come but it will probably be a month or so before most of you get to meet them. I can tell you though that if you are on this list and receiving this email it is because it is important to me and Jaclyn for Samantha and Hannah to get to know you.
Thank you again so much for your support, Jaclyn and I both feel like a major obstacle was overcome today and I can't wait to send the next update. That may actually be tonight when I take pictures because other than ultrasounds there are no pictures of them together.
David, Jaclyn, Alexandra, Samantha, and Hannah
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