The NICU is a roller coaster and we had a set back yesterday.
Eleanor was fine all day and had actually put 2 oz. on over night. Unfortunately, when we arrived for the evening visiting hours, she had two episodes of apnea and her skin color changed from a healthy pink to a greenish-pale. Once she began breathing again, the oxygen monitor showed a drop in the oxygen level in her blood and she was not her normal active self. The doctor examined her and determined that she has either an infection or a low hemoglobin count.
The doctor took a blood sample from Eleanor to know for sure what kind of infection she may have and a blood sample from me in case she would need a transfusion (the new blood would have to be compatible with Eleanor and with me for it to be the right match). We had to leave the NICU at this point because it was close to 8pm and the visiting hours were ending. The doctor told us to call the unit in a few hours when they had the blood test results. They started her on an antibiotic IV drip as we left.
Robert called the NICU around 11pm. The doctor told us that she had not had any more apnea episodes and that her color is slowly returning. Eleanor's blood sample was taken too early. Everything came back as normal, but they know that she has an infection. They ruled out a low hemoglobin count. They said that they would take another blood sample later to determine the cause.
This morning at 6am the NICU called Robert. At 5am Eleanor had a third apnea episode and her heart rate dropped. The doctor had to perform CPR and intubate her. She is on the ventilator to prevent more apnea. The IV continues giving the antibiotics and is also providing nutrients as her feedings have been delayed for now.
The doctor did tell us that when they began working on her she was her usual strong self. That made us feel much better.
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We just returned from the afternoon visiting session.
Eleanor has been moved from her second stage incubator back to her first stage open bed. She now has the ventilator and two IVs. Her feeding tube is still in place, but the doctors are using it to extract stomach bile which will make her feel much better. She is feeling pain and discomfort, but she is being given a low dose of pain medicine that will make her more comfortable. Her blood pressure had to be watched after dispensing the medicine. The medicine often causes a drop in blood pressure. After the nurse pushed the pain medicine through, Eleanor relaxed and was instantly comforted. Her blood pressure stayed at the top of the target range which is wonderful.
They are doing a blood transfusion so that she will have stronger antibodies in her blood. Like all preemies, she was born with not enough antibodies or none at all. The new blood will help her combat the Sepsis. The doctors started the transfusion after we left visiting hours at 2pm. It will take four hours to complete. It has not been a full 24 hours since being given the antibiotics. Once the antibiotics begin to work and the blood transfusion is complete, Eleanor should return to her healthy pink color and her body will fight off the infection. We have to remember that we are on Eleanor's schedule, but the doctors think she will be finished fighting the infection after three more days of antibiotics.
The doctors are happy to see her moving and showing off her strength while being sick. She puts her heels on the bed and lifts her hips to push her shoulders and head up forward. The doctors told us it is extremely hard for even a healthy term-baby to do that. They are so impressed and encouraged with her physical and mental strength. They tell us she is going to be fine!
We are not stepping backwards, we continue to go forward while battling her infection. Once it is cleared up, she will continue her progress.
-Emily
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