Day 26

Wren's day today turned out so good that the doctors could hardly believe it.  She worked down to 40% oxygen most of the day and held much more stably than she has the previous days.  Once again, we are blown away by how the doctors were able to pull off what they did.  This is all new territory -- one nurse told me that in 20+ years of NICU experience across hospitals in different parts of the country, she has never seen a situation like this one.  The doctors didn't have anyone to ask about what they're attempting, because no one here has experience trying it.  They don't know how long they can leave the tube in the healthy lung, but there is definitely risk of damage to the left bronchus or even the lung itself if they leave it too long.  They likely won't be able to leave it long enough for the right lung to completely heal up.  However, already on today's x-rays, they were beginning to see the blebs in the right lung shrinking down.  High fives up top, little baby.  You are rad.

Avery had a really good day too.  She seemed much more comfortable as she continues to heal from the surgeries.  Her levels were also fairly stable through the day sitting at around 40%.  The doctors are hopeful that once she is recovered, they can continue to wean her off of support, and hopefully within a week either get her on to a conventional ventilator, or get her off of vent support altogether.

So far, our babies have interacted directly or indirectly with the following:

• 20+ Nurses with 24/7 care
• 10+ Respiratory therapists with 24/7 care
• 1 Perinatologist
• 6 Neonatologists, 24/7
• Nurse Practitioners
• 1 Neurosurgeon
• 1 Immunologist
• 1 Pulmonologist
• 1 Otolaryngologist
• 1 Thoracic Surgeon
• 2 Anesthesiologists
• Anesthetist nurses
• Dietitians
• X-ray Technicians
• Radiologists
• Ultrasound Technicians
• Pharmacists
• 2 anxious parents and ridiculous amounts of family and other people who love them
• Who knows how many guardian angels

They are also given the following:

• Loads of oxygen management 24/7
• Nutrition by IV and PIC line
• Blood transfusions every few days as needed
• Lipids to fatten them up
• Sugars
• Breastmilk
• Morphine and other painkillers
• Phenobarbital and similar drugs
• Sensors to monitor every critical level
• Fancy isolettes to keep them warm and protected from the environment

That about covers it, but I'm sure I'm forgetting SOMETHING by now.

All I really want to say is...

We thank you in advance, you sweet, sweet insurance company, for footing the vast majority of this bill.