April 12 & 13, 2011

Tuesday Eleanor was still on the oxygen, but it was set at 21% which is nothing.  She was essentially breathing on her own.  The night before she had two drops in her heart rate.  The NICU doctors wanted the pediatric cardiologist to examine her.  He came to the NICU during visiting hours so we were able to meet him and to be there for the exam.  He did an EKG and then a sonogram on her chest to look at her heart.  He said her heart is perfect and the two drops in her heart rate can only be attributed to her infection.  Great News that Eleanor's heart is perfect!  

Sleeping on my side

Also on Tuesday, we had to do a breast milk culture to check for bacteria that could be in the breast milk.  Because all of Eleanor's cultures were negative for bacteria the doctor thought it would be a good idea to check the breast milk.  Today we got the results that the breast milk is perfectly fine!  We are so glad!!

Rolling over

Today, Eleanor is doing really well!  The first visit was a great visit! She gained another ounce. She is now 2lbs 8oz.!  The doctors increased her feedings to 30ml of breast milk for every six hours.  She is off of the oxygen completely - no tubes in her nose.  We all know that she hates those.  She is also going to off the antibiotics tomorrow.  Originally she was supposed to be on them for a total of ten days, but the doctors know that the infection is out of her system and that too many IVs can damage her veins permanently.


She sucked her fingers for the first time.  This is an important step because all preemies have to learn the 'suck-swallow-breathe' routine before they can go home.  She is also been caught rolling over!  She can move her body and roll herself over.  She can even get onto her knees when she is on her tummy.  The doctors think she is a wonder baby! 


More good news; the radiologist confirmed that there is absolutely no bleeding in her head! No new bleeding from the infection and the bleeding of the ventricles from the first week has already been absorbed!!!  Great!

Look at me suck my fingers

Tonight's visit was just as great.  Eleanor was so cozy and warm in her incubator. She had just finished a six hour feeding when we got there.  She had a full tummy and was quite happy.  She slept on her side curled up into a little ball.  She was so precious.  She opened her eyes a few times, but she was way too tired to keep them open.  It was like she just wanted to check to make sure we were still at her bedside. 


One of us may be able to kangaroo tomorrow! 


We are back where we left off.  The infection did not set her back at all!
Love,
   Emily & Robert