I’m really starting to hate the expression “rollercoaster ride” – probably because it’s the absolute truth and I’m just not interested in being on another ride…the pregnancy had enough obstacles so I personally think I should have received a pass on this, but that clearly didn’t happen.
The first 9 days of having the twins in the NICU has been…well, a rollercoaster ride. The first 48 hours was what the NICU team refers to as the “honeymoon period” – both babies ended up off their ventilators and on the CPAP and Chris and I thought we had superstar strong 26 week babies! Well, that quickly ended and both ended up reintubated and back on the ventilators where they remain today. It’s hard for me to go back and truly chronicle the first 9 days because much of it is a blur, so let’s summarize some of the successes and some of the continuous challenges we face –
Successes:
– On Sunday, 1/29/2012, Keltie had her first poop! Colton had a “smear”…so he was working on it. He finally had his first big poop on Thursday, 2/2/2012.
– On Monday, 1/30/2012, both were given their first trophic feedings (very, very small feeds – 1.0mL every 4 hours) and both did well with them! As of today, Keltie’s feeds are up to 3.0mL and Colton’s feeds are up to 2.7mL. They will now start to count the feeds towards their daily fluid intake. Sometimes their feeds are put on hold if they are having some issues, but they both have tolerated their feedings very, very well.
– Both had open PDAs – patent ductus arteriosus. Keltie’s closed with the first round of medicine and that was confirmed via an echocardiogram. Colton’s first echocardiogram showed it closed at first and then by the end of the exam, it reopened. He was given a second round of medicine and his PDA finally showed closed on a subsequent echocardiogram conducted on Tuesday, 1/31/2012.
– Head u/s were conducted on Tuesday, 1/31/2012 and both u/s showed no bleeding in or around the brain for either of them. There are some “larger” ventricles in Colton that they will monitor, but it should not pose a problem and is common in premature babies.
Challenges:
– BREATHING! Both remain on their ventilators and have stable, up, and down moments. Colton had a really horrible late afternoon / evening on Tuesday, 1/31/2012 where his O2 setting was at 100% and his ventilator settings were maxed out. We raced up to the hospital and honestly didn’t know if we were going to have to say goodbye to our little man. They were able to get him stabilized and brought back down on his settings – but that was honestly the scariest experience. Since then he has been much more stable and she has gone back and forth between looking like she was going to come off the oscillator ventilator and onto the other ventilator (where she did for about 12 hours before being switched back) and having a little bit of struggles.
– Colton has had a little bit of an issue in maintaining his blood pressure, so they’re managing through it using dopamine.
– Both are sedated with fentanyl but for different reasons. Miss Keltie is a bit of a nut and enjoys using her energy up with kicking and moving and being a bit crazy. So, they’ve used it to settle her down a bit and also to try and prevent her from breathing over the ventilator. Mr. Colton is on it because he’s a bit sensitive and doesn’t particularly care for all of the touching and exams that are being done on him each day. You see, he was happy as a clam inside mommy and his sister was the one who was trying (and was successful) to bust out of that joint…so, he’s not so thrilled with this new life outside with all of the lights and the poking and prodding. The fentanyl calms him down so he, too, can focus on being strong and his breathing.
Below are pictures of them at 4 days old:
Thanks for the update. Continued thoughts and prayers your way. They’re awfully cute… can’t wait to see pics of their little faces.
we are thinking about you guys ❤
This is great Krista! It is truly a rollercoaster but eventually there will be many more ups than downs. I say a prayer for you babies every day!
On a side note-my sisters best friend had her daughter Christmas Day, 2007, also at 26 weeks. Avery was just over a pound. She spend her first couple months of life in the NICU. 4 years later she is (above) average developing little girl and could probably kick the crap out of all the boys in her class!
Continued thoughts and prayers for the 4 of you!
Looking forward to seeing C & K grow. All the best!!!
Heartfelt blessings and prayers to you and your babies Krista!
You don’t know me, I’m a friend of Emily Johnson, but I too had a preemie and she thought I might be interested. I just want you to know how strong I think you are. I’ve been where you are and I know how hard it is. How helpless you feel, how overwhelming the learning curve is, all while trying to recover yourself from major surgery! I promise that while there are tough times ahead, it will get better. You are in my family’s thoughts and prayers.
I love you have done this but it doesn’t mean you can escape our calls! Can’t wait to see the pictures SSH took today. Continue to stay strong and know how much my house is praying for you all!
Prayers still coming your way for these two precious babies,and for you and Chris,keep us posted,sincerely Sherry and Jim Parsons in Tn
In Jesus’ Name! Lord please reach Your loving hand down from heaven, heal these precious lives! Touch the bodies of these babies, remove any illnesses, YOU created these lives…. Lord make these babies whole again! We know You are there sitting next to these babies….please heal & restore!
Lord, please send down your Guardian Angels to sit with these babies and their parents. Give them the strength they need to endure these difficult times. Lord God, please take unto yourself all of their anxiety and fear.
in Jesus name I pray!
I pray for these little peanuts every day. And for you brave parents. I hope to read very soon that their condition has stabilized enough for you guys to breathe easy. ❤
God bless you and your family Krista, sending lots of healthy, growing thoughts your way.
I am following your story with great hope. I don’t know if this will help you, but I thought you should know. In 1984, I was born at 26 weeks, I was only 1lb 14 oz. So very close to your children in size. Although I remained in the NICU for some time, I have no lasting issues. I live a normal life, go to school, go to work, etc. I just wanted you to know, there is a happy ending. I feel it in my bones, those children are fighters. Spend as much time as you can with them, even if all you can do is hold their hands. They will feel your love, they will feel your strength. My heart goes out to you, your husband, and your little ones. My prayers are with you – always.
Your babies are beautiful and you are an awesome mom! I will keep praying for all of you, and will look forward to hearing about their progress.