NICU update - Day 3

First off, I want to apologize for not updating everyone sooner. Craig and I have literally been by Gabe's side as much as possible the past three days - and that's where we need to be.  Cell phones aren't permitted in the NICU.  We break this rule, but only send out the occasional text, so if you call and go straight to voice mail, that is why.  Craig and I really, really appreciate all the voice mails, text messages, emails, thoughts and prayers.  We simply cannot reach back to each and every one of you, but please know that we are reading and listening to every single message and it brings us to our knees knowing so many people care and are genuinely concerned about our little man.  Thank you doesn't extend our appreciation enough.

I was discharged from the hospital yesterday but you would never know it because I was there all day today.  The first 48 hours were very dicey and we were in a tailspin trying to keep up.  Communication at that point was brief and if we left any of you hanging, so, so sorry.  We were literally hanging ourselves, sleep-deprived and I was very sore and recovering from labor.  It's a blur now, but I remember so many details that I may jot down eventually...but since we're past that point, I'll just move forward for now.

Never in a million years did I think I'd have a baby in the NICU, but you learn the vernacular, what the beeps mean, what beeps to ignore, where the leads and wires need to go, the names of the nurses, and so on and so forth.  And my hands have NEVER been so clean :-)

But where are we today?  In a good place.  Here are the high points:

- Gabe is being weaned off his IV nutrition.  He nursed once before being admitted to the NICU and went to immediate IV nutrition.  He is still getting calcium and other IV nutrients, but if the night time feedings go well tonight, he should be free of those wires tomorrow!  Today, he took three bottles of my milk.  I'm struggling because he will not nurse and it's like he doesn't even know how.  I've had to give this up to God and pump for him instead.  He also won't take a bottle from me - I'm his mama and he hears my heart and smells me and just falls asleep.  The nurses and Craig are taking the reigns on feeding, but I'm attacking it again tomorrow and hopefully (with the help of lactation support), I can get him to nurse directly from me.

- He was going to get a PICC line last night, but it was tried and was unsuccessful.  I'm thankful the NICU team didn't keep trying, rather they established another Heplock port to administer the IV treatments (including his antibiotics).  By weaning his nutrition, his veins should hold up better and he should only need one or two more Heplocks before he goes home.  Apparently, Gabe is a strong fella though - he barely cries with pricks and pokes and when he had the spinal tap the other night he barely let out a peep.

- Speaking of spinal taps...I guess I should have started out by saying Gabe has Group B Strep.  It can cause meningitis by passing through the blood-brain barrier, which was the reason for the spinal tap.  It's a scary disease in babies.  I've tried to avoid searching about it, but I've gleaned a lot of information from the NICU staff.  I cannot even describe how thankful I am that Gabe was put on antibiotics at 9 hours old...apparently this can even be fatal as soon as 12 hours old.  I cannot even think about that...so I won't.

- Gabe will be taken off one of the antibiotics tonight and keep getting the one that is fighting the Group B Strep.

So what can you pray for?  Well, I'll tell you!

- I really want him to nurse, but it's more important that he keeps down all his feedings.  So pray he keeps taking them successfully! We'll work on nursing later.
- Pray his Heploc stays strong!  I'd love for him to not get pricked again and the longer this stays strong, the less pricks!
- Pray the antibiotics keep fighting this nasty disease.  He's responding to treatment, so I'm not concerned, but let's keep this horrible disease at bay.
- And pray for Craig and me.  We have spent only a couple of hours with Madeline the past four days.  My heart is ripped in two places, but Madeline is REALLY enjoying spending time with her grandparents.  I cannot thank my in-laws enough for caring for her so well.  Madeline is happy and having fun.  And she's also renamed her Grandpa...to Grandpa Gringo (my mother-in-law calls her husband Gringo!).  But while Madeline is having fun, we miss her terribly!  Craig and I are also beyond exhausted and are eating junk to sustain ourselves.  I cannot wait for a semblance of normalcy again!
- And pray for me.  I haven't given any details of the labor, but suffice it to say I'm sore.  Duh, I had a baby.   But I also tore and I'm going going going and not stopping.  My tears could be WAY worse as one was a 2nd degree and the other two were first degree...but I could still use some healing and I'm pretty sure it's not going to truly happen until Gabe is home and I can slow down and actually take care of myself.  For now, the best medicine for me is to be by my baby.  Everything else can wait.

I'll add pictures a little later.  The camera is downstairs and I am headed to bed.  My goal was 11 and it's 11:12, so I'm hitting publish and crashing.

Much love to you all!