Sorry for the lateness of this update. I’ve been choosing sleep over creativity lately; but I did want to give you a thumbnail sketch of the goings on over the last couple of days. The good news is that although Julia’s platelets are still an issue, the consensus seems to be that it is a transient thing. She may require further transfusions, but apparently these issues eventually work themselves out and all she’ll need is a little “top-off” once in a while.
I wanted to give thanks to the women who made the burden of the last few days a little lighter (and certainly saner). Robyn ran interference with our fragile emotions on Jocelyn’s discharge day when we had to leave Julia in the NICU. The weekend visit with Aunt Jennifer – Jocelyn’s sister – went great and she did her best to load us up with marvelous, carb-laden food and made quick work of our laundry. Jo-Ann is a close family friend and encourager of Jocelyn’s and took over when Jen headed back to Dayton on Sunday. Both took time from work and family to do something I simply could not. They provided experience and context to Jocelyn and a necessary back-stop against the mass of information and advice coming at her. There are no finer friends than those who come when you need them – even when it’s inconvenient. Jennifer and Jo-Ann are pictured below.
A lot has happened in the last couple of days. Julia has been moved out of an incubator and into a “big girl bed”. The goal is for her to maintain her body temperature for a minimum of 48 hours, and another hurdle for bringing her home will be cleared. They have also removed her intravenous fluids, so the only way she is getting nourishment is the natural way – by the breast or the bottle.
We had a consultation with a lactation specialist, neo-natologist and a pediatric cardiologist today and basically have our marching orders. The number one goal (once the body temp thing is assured) is taking advantage of the “honeymoon period” I mentioned in a previous post where Julia has enough energy to feed and grow. Calories are number one here, and goals have been set to make sure that happens – even to the point of supplementing with fortified formula when Mom’s milk supply can’t provide it. Volume is also a priority. Julia’s belly is only so big and can only take so much. A plan for a baseline of just under an ounce per feeding, with a goal of going over that as soon as possible.
Julia is happy to take nourishment from the bottle, but a little lazy when it comes to taking it from Mom. Coaching and encouragement from Maria, our lactation specialist has helped. We also have another secret weapon coming into Detroit Metro Airport this afternoon: Grandma Nancy – a labor and delivery nurse with forty years’ experience, lactation consultant, and professor of nursing at Texas A & M. When Grandma comes to town, little Julia ain’t gonna know what hit her!
Bottom line, we are hearing a shift in tone from the medical staff – from optimism of how well she’s doing to a focus on getting her growing and thriving as soon as possible. It’s encouraging and a little chilling at the same time. We’ve moved from simply clinging to life to the new challenge of preparing for the oncoming surgery and the tougher days in between.
And Happy Birthday to my sister Lauren! Sorry this is the best I could do for a b-day card. Can’t wait to see you next month!
One Response
I love getting up in the morning and finding real news about important people in my life. You guys all look so much stronger, and fit for the job ahead. Keep on keeping on. Lisa