Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Lexie Update

I've been spending all my time at the hospital, pumping (ouch), eating, and a bit of sleeping here and there, so blogging has taken a backseat for now. But I wanted to post a quick update for anyone who's still checking in.

Alexandra now weighs 4 pounds, 13 ounces. She'll be allowed to come home once she can eat all of her meals on her own, instead of getting too tired with the bottle and needing to supplement with a feeding tube. She also needs to keep breathing steadily during those feeds -- right now, when she gets really tired of all the exertion during a feed, she sometimes starts breathing shallowly or forgets to breathe for a little while. (This causes what is called a "desat," in which her blood oxygen level starts to decline.) She needs to go a week without a major desat. She had one yesterday, so as of now the earliest she could come home is the 23rd. That said, the clock keeps restarting on the 7 days, so we haven't begun a real countdown yet. Maybe if she gets to 3 or 4 days without a desat while eating well then we'll start to get excited.

People keep telling us "get some sleep now!" As if we're sleeping soundly all night long. I'm pumping regularly, which seriously interferes with my sleep schedule, and to tell you the truth, you don't sleep very soundly when your baby's in the NICU. (This is why NICU parents are given a special phone number to call for an update anytime, day or night.) I know people are just trying to think of something to say, but they really don't fully understand what's going on.

Hopefully it won't be too much longer until Lexie comes home. I'm looking forward to staying in the house all day long with my baby. And to being awakened regularly by her little lungs.

9 comments:

sara said...

Just letting you know I check in everyday so I'm so glad to see this update. I keep you and your little one in my thoughts and prayers and yes...people just don't know what to say. Lexie is a fighter and I can't wait until you have that little beauty home with you. You are doing such a great job...I'm so proud of you. ((hugs))

Anonymous said...

I've been thinking of you and checking in periodically so it is good to hear how Lexie is doing. I hope she is able to come home soon!

The things people come up with to say are very strange - I don't think I'd be able to resist making a sarcastic comment.

-Suraita

areyoukiddingme said...

Thanks for the update. I know Lexie will continue to improve every day. Pretty soon, you'll be wondering where she puts all the food she's eating! You're doing a great job - keep up the good work!

kgiff said...

Glad to hear she's doing well! I'm looking forward to the day you can bring her home.

Mary said...

I've been waiting for an update too:) So glad that Lexie is on her way home soon. It sounds like she is truely a fighter and will be waking you up with little wails soon enough!

dcpeg said...

I'm with the rest -- glad to have an update! You are to be highly commended for pumping!! It IS painful, but so good for little Lexie. For about a week, I was shuttling daily between Prince Frederick, MD and Children's to bring my nephew Alex his mother's milk. Before you know it, you and her Daddy will be able to curl up on your couch with your little bundle and just watch her grow! TV will never even enter your minds!!

Brenna said...

This is great to read, I've been so eager to hear how Lexie's doing. (And how her mom is doing, too!) I can imagine that sleep doesn't come easily, and I'm so proud of you all and wish there was something I could do to help. I look forward to meeting Lexie one day soon.
xxoo
Brenna

Beth said...

Glad to see an update on Miss Lexie (and you!) Grow Lexie, grow! I hope your countdown has started and you don't know it yet!

Tulips said...

Of course we're still checking in! Thanks so much for the update. Can't wait until you can bring her home!