Monday, November 4, 2013

  Today I found out that they are going to change Lenah's IV nutrition.  Apparently, the type she is on now can cause cholestasis or decreased bile flow and drainage.  It is possible that the IV nutrition is what has been causing her elevated bilirubin and liver panel numbers.  I am supposed to talk to the nutrition specialist tomorrow about a different kind of IV nutrition called Omegaven. We shall see how that goes.
  Her lower GI study has been pushed back until next Wednesday because she had some bloody stool over the weekend.  They are resuming self-breathing trials again to let her exercise/practice her breathing.  The plan is to try extubation again in the next couple of days.  I am both excited and apprehensive.  Excited at the chance to get to hold her again.  Apprehensive because it went so badly last time.  Please pray that she would do well whenever she is taken off of the ventilator.
  All her other stats are stable. AND she weighs 8 pounds and 2 ounces now. YAY!  I knew she was growing. Her newborn hair is starting to fall out.  I can't really tell just yet, but I think the hair growing in is lighter than her newborn hair.  Also, I forgot to take pictures while she was awake because I was enjoying her too much.  For the last week, I have been giving her nightly modified infant massages.  At first she wasn't sure if she liked it or not. I can tell now that she does .  When she wakes up, I reach underneath her and gently massage in circles starting at her hips and work up one side and then the other.  Then, I gently stretch her legs.  I have to be very careful because she has her IV in one leg. The first time she got upset at the shoulders because it tickled her some. Now by the time I get to her shoulders, she just stretches and settles in. Usually, I do two sets and then she is ready to go back to sleep.
Thank for continuing to pray for Lenah.

 Here she is squinting because I forgot to turn off the flash. Sorry, Lenah.