Sunday 25 March 2012

Vomcano

Xanders eye was checked and it was still mild - a good sign. A different doctor examined him but said that he thinks the ROP had lessened compared to the way his colleague had described it which is great news. He's going to examine Xanders eye every week for the next 4 weeks to ensure it's not developing into anything more serious. So everyone keep those fingers crossed!

The boys are now due their immunisations and we were told that they can feel quite poorly afterwards so I've been stalling them a bit. I want the boys to be on top form when they have the jabs and Joey has been so snuffly that I dont think it's a good idea to do it now. He needs to be suctioned a few times a day to clear his nose as he's all blocked so having the immunisation at the same time would have been a bit too much I think. Dr Sophie has decided and did not sign the consent form. I'm not a very popular mum with the doctors!

The boys were also tested for reflux as they desaturate (low O2 in blood) when they feed and have started vomiting after/during feeding. The test involves a PH probe going down a nostril to their tummy for 24 hours. They have an x ray to check its in the right place and the other end is attached to a machine that measures the acidity in the tummy. They already have nasal cannulas and a feeding line up their nose so poor things have been stuffed full of lines. We've been doing quite well with getting them to feed from the bottle managing to stay awake but they nearly always throw up after. Today I thought i'd mastered it by winding Joey regularly throughout his feed. I had him on my shoulder after the bottle and was feeling very happy with myself that I'd got a whole bottle down him when he did a burp...good boy I thought. Then he made quite an unsual noise and...vomcano. They have medicine to help with the reflux but apparently it takes quite a while to fix itself.

Today we got to the hospital and walked in to find that the boys were back in the pink room - intensive care. My heart literally skipped a beat. They both needed blood transfusions as their HB levels were low so the doctor was putting cannulas in them. Xander was having an ECG as they heard a heart murmur. They heard a heart murmur in Joey yesterday. What a horrible sight to walk in on. I obviously cried and Matthew managed to hold it together and even helped the doctor get the cannulas in. He gave the boys a sugar solution which calms them down whilst it was going in. I stood behind the doctor not looking and holding on the alternate baby giving him hundreds of kisses telling him how brave he was. The doctors dont seem too worried about the heart murmurs as the ECGs came back fine and they just need to keep an eye on them. Thank God Matthew was there to help get through all of that. I'd have needed some Oxygen of my own if I was there on my own. They were going to do the immunisations today but didnt because of the transfusions. That means they'll probably have it tomorrow or Tuesday when I'm there on my own. I'll do my best brave face (then go and cry in the loo).

The boys went back to the medium dependency room once their cannulas were in. I dont ever want to have to go back in that room again.

The boys are doing brilliantly for weight gain..Joey is 4 lbs 14 and Xander is 4 lbs 9. Some of it may be fluid retention but overall they're doing really well. My little micro babies are looking better and better and will soon be competing with all the other giant babies we see every day.

Xander being burped (lucky I didnt capture what followed...)

 Joey
 Joey
 Xander

Joey

 Xander

 Sleepy Joey



2 comments:

  1. without doubt who knew the bravery inside you Sophie ... and Matthew .... I am looking forward to meeting the boys in your new home on one of my trips ... x x x x

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  2. Hi honey,

    good news about Xander, let's hope he keeps doing really well over the next 4 weeks. I am sure he will. I wish i could be closer to help hold your hand on thse hard days. Rest assured, I am thinking of you lots. xx

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