Eviction Notice?

Did someone say "eviction notice?"

Time has gotten away from me again. It's hard to believe that as of today Audrey has been in the NICU at Aultman Hospital for 38 days. That makes her just over 5 weeks old and, according to the doctors, 36 weeks and 2 days adjusted age.

My goal was to keep up with this blog every couple of days. HA, that's funny. Obviously, I've never had a baby in the NICU and two boys at home desperately needing their mommy's attention when she returns. The combination of these things leaves very little time for getting on the computer for updates.

So, to keep you up to date...Audrey's stay in her big girl crib was short-lived as she returned to her isolette just four days later. Ahh, the things we take for granted that our bodies do naturally and little Audrey's has to work very hard for like breathing, keeping warm, eating, and even staying awake to eat. Because Audrey has to do all of these things at once, something had to give and it was her temperature and weight gain. Audrey was burning too many calories doing those things we take for granted and began losing those precious ounces that took her so long to gain. When Audrey started to lose weight she had to go back into her isolette. Personally, I think she just enjoyed being cozy, warm and cradled by the blanket "nest."




Along with returning to her crib, she has returned to her "nose" after several attempts to abandon it. She just can't seem to kick her addiction to her nasal canula. Early Monday morning (12:30 am) Audrey was taken off her oxygen, she lasted for 30 hours! She was put back on oxygen after dipping down during feedings and not recovering afterwards. Losing oxygen while you eat is not that uncommon, adults often do it as well. The problem comes after she has finished her feedings and still remains in the 60%-70% blood oxygen level. The neonatalogist needs to see Audrey in the upper 80%-90% levels.

Steroids were mentioned as a way to kick this oxygen addiction. It seems that everything that is used in the NICU to help babies also has it's drawbacks. Steroids can cause delays in growth, both physical and neurological. Although this is usually seen in large doses of steroids we feel that Audrey is on a small enough amount of oxygen at the time that the risks outweigh the benefits. We will hold off on accepting the steroids as treatment at least for awhile longer.




So, although there is talk of an eviction notice, the date has not been confirmed. The nurses are all making bets as to what day Audrey will get to see her new home. We just have to keep hoping for the following things:

• All feeds by breast or bottle for 24 hours. No feeding tube!



• Open crib for 24 hours. No more isolette.
  
  
• Episode free for 24 hours. No brady's, destat's, etc.



• Continuing to gain weight while doing all the above.
  

As you can see "off oxygen" did not make the list. This takes me back to our first meeting with the NICU Nurse Practitioner while in the anti-pardom section of the hospital. We met with her since we were only 30 weeks along after being admitted to hospital bedrest. She told us all about the NICU and mentioned that some babies go home on monitors and oxygen. When the NP left our room Kevin and I looked at each other right away and commented "there's no way our baby is going home on a monitor!" Funny, huh. Now there is talk of her coming home on both. Although it is scary, I've become quite comfortable and educated with both of these necessities. If the neonatalogists believe it is safe for Audrey to come home on oxygen and monitors we will gladly bring her home. I didn't say, however, that we would sleep. So, I'll keep you posted on that eviction notice.

Again, thank you for your love and support. I could not do this without the help of so many family and friends. Whether that help comes through support from a card, a phone call, a visit to the hospital, dinner, or babysitting it is appreciated more than I could ever articulate. My boys have been cared for so well during this experience. We kind of have the week down to a science. They look forward to their "Aunt Lola days" in which they are completely spoiled. I really believe that all things are put on-hold when our boys walk through the door at Lola and Jerry's.

My sister-in-law, Renee, is a true blessing as are all the meals she so graciously prepares. Dawson and Lane look forward to playing with Ken and Renee's kids each week and I am at ease knowing they are in good hands.

Lori, our full-time babysitter has had a chance to breathe with all the help we've been getting. I can say without a doubt when she is at our house watching our boys she barely has a chance to take a breath. Lori, I greatly appreciate all you do...cleaning, cooking, folding laundry and most importantly putting our kids first. We are so blessed to have you in our lives!

Picking up any left over days would be The Hall Clan. I can't say enough for what your boys, correction, men mean to Dawson and Lane. I know the scavenger hunt will go down in history as one of Dawson's favorite memories.

And, as always, my Mom and Dad. Although it has been just about the most difficult time to have a baby in our family, due to racing season, they have still found time to help out. Even more so, they keep me in check reminding me that I need to spend time having fun with my boys. The afternoon at the lake was much needed. Thank you all a million times over.