24 Hours Later...

Friday, January 30, 2009

 

It's been 24 hours (or as I call it "8 feedings") since my last post. That's what time has been boiled down to - feedings.

I have OCD, which has quickly become both a blessing and a curse. It's been easy for us to memorize the procedure, but the frustrating repetitiveness is already painful... I cannot imagine having to do this for weeks at a time. I admire any parents/loved ones who go through this with no end in sight.

Basically, beginning from sitting down and feeding Baby Larva, we then start our 3 hour mark. It takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes to actually change her, take her temp and feed her. Then 10 minutes to get back to the room. At that point, I have to change back into my nightgown and I have an hour and a half before needing to leave for the NICU again (to begin the 15 minute entry to NICU procedure).

I've tried sleeping during that time, eating during that time, I did get a shower in today, plus my doctor has me walking to aid in my recovery and Hubby and I have had a few wonderful visitors today.

The good news is that her feedings have been mostly on-target and better than we could have hoped. The poor news is that her last feeding didn't go well at all. That's not correct - a 15 minute feeding for an average preemie is wonderful. Baby Larva has been doing much longer than that, so they were concerned.

They had actually taken her off the IV, but ended up putting her back on it - delaying her escape from the NICU by at least 3 hours.

I know I should be VERY grateful. Originally they told us Sunday at noon would be the earliest and I'm pouting at 9:45 pm on Friday. I just want her back to me ASAP.

If her next feeding (at 11 pm) is more "normal" (ie: "Baby Larva normal") - then it's very likely she'll be brought to us between midnight and 2 am to stay in our room. She'll still be NICU's baby, but that is more in terms of which nurse is responsible for her. We'll be able to hold her and feed her on our own schedule, not someone else's time.

Please keep us in your prayers and that no new developments crop up to spoil the plan.

~Lone Butterfly )i(

1 comments:

Life throws you surprises! said...

I don't know how parents with NICU babies do it either. I know God gives us strength! I hope and pray that as I am writing this comment to you that GO is in your room and you are enjoying every minute of her. I hope that I can help you next week and that you will be able to get some much needed rest. Much love.