The babies' journies so far...

The babies are all in the level III NICU at Texas Women's Hospital and will remain there probably until around mid July. For the first few days they had normal preemie problems including breathing issues, blood pressure fluctuations, etc. We found out last Friday that all three babies had PDA's which is when the fetal connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery don't close properly. Lathan and Lauren's PDA's were large and Logan's was moderate so all babies had heart surgery that night. All three surgeries were done at their bedsides and took only 54 minutes. The surgeon said that their hearts were the size of pecans and that their bodies only hold 2 tablespoons of blood...pretty amazing!

Lauren's condition improved immediately. She was off the ventilator a few days later and switched to a CPAP (tubes in her nose that produce pressure but allow her to breath on her own). Her tubes were removed from her umbilical line and she was switched to a more permanent PIC line in her arm. She was also promoted to an isolette, given a pacifier and rolled on her tummy which she seems to really enjoy. She got her first feeding of breast milk through a feeding tube earlier this week and so far she is tolerating it well. Go Lauren!!!

Logan was right behind Lauren getting moved to the CPAP on Tuesday and to an isolette yesterday. He hated the CPAP at first and looked extremlely uncomfortable but once he got used to it and rolled on his tummy he seems to be a much happier baby. He too has a pacifier and with the ventilator removed he is able to cry and voice his opinions easier. He too has started receiving milk through a feeding tube and has graduated from 3cc's to 6cc every 3 hours. We found out today that he has 2 IVH's (brain hemorrhages). One is considered a 2 (on a scale of 1-4) and the other is being considered a 3, although they can't rule out yet that it isn't a 4. He will be monitored weekly with head ultrasounds and hopefully the condition will resolve on its own. If not, there are medications they can use and as a last resort he would be transferred to Texas Children's to have a shunt put in. We are praying obviously that this resolves on its own and that there are no long term consequences.

Lathan has struggled a little more than the others but the doctors tell us its pretty normal. Poor thing has had terrible luck when it comes to getting poked and proded. All babies required a spinal tap and Lathan had to have 2 because the first one they were unable to get any fluid. He has been stuck 3 times for a PIC line, the last of which finally worked in his foot. His heals are all bruised from all the sticks and he flinches now when you touch him. I'm sure he's just scared of what's next. The radiologist who finally got the PIC line started said that they gave him a good dose of pain medication and sedation medicine, neither of which seemed to phase him. His lungs have had more trouble than the other two babies and for the past few days he has been given asthma medications to help them out. Today he was finally moved to the CPAP and hopefully he will be promoted to his isolette within the next few days. He, like Logan, has 2 IVH brain hemorrages although his are fairly mild, both being graded 2's. He will also get weekly head scans with the hopes that the condition resolves on its own. He sure is a fighter!!! He has not started feeding and is still in an open air bed but hopefully soon he will graduate like his brother and sister!

Thanks to everyone for their prayers...please keep them coming!!!