Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Our prayers are being answered!!!

Lauren is doing so much better! Each doctor that came around today told us how amazed they were at her progress. One of the neonatologist said that she couldn't believe Lauren made it through these past few days without having emergency surgery. She said that you just don't see x-rays like hers very often have happy endings. The pediatric surgeon even came by and when he saw her x-ray from this morning he said that he was amazed and that we must have had a lot of people praying for her because he had never seen a case as bad as hers clear up as fast as hers has. We sure do have one special little lady and one heck of a prayer team!!!

We are so fortunate that the timing of this weekend worked out like it did. For starters, Patrick and I had never been to a late night shift but decided that Saturday night we would like to be there and see the nightly activities. That's when Patrick and I (& Mom) noticed how sick she looked and don't know if it would have been that obvious if we had been with her all day. We were also extremely fortunate that the night nurse and the nurse practitioner knew us and knew Lauren and took our concerns seriously and also recognized themselves that Lauren was acting differently. Lauren's blood work and spinal taps both came back clear and her throwing up would not have set off any big red flags, so her acting strangely and the staff's and our funny feelings were really the only things that kept them watching and testing her. Apparently the first real symptom that would get them worried would be a bloody diaper which Lauren finally got late Sunday night (after she had had 3 rounds of very strong antibiotics, after 2 blood transfusions and after we had met with the pediatric surgeon). It very easily could have been too late for her if this had been the first sign. They told us that often times infants don't give indications that they're sick and by the time they do, the intestines have been too damaged for the baby to survive. Pretty scary stuff.

Lauren has now made it through day 3 and will be on antibiotics and no feedings for another 7 days. She has had 3 head IV's and probably 11 IV's in her arms and legs. Today she got a PIC line (central line) so hopefully they can stop sticking her so much. Not only will she need the IV's for the remaining 7 days of antiobiotics but she will also need IV fluids and lipids until she gets back up to her full feedings. She looks so much better and is moving around again (Sunday she barely moved at all) and she is even getting a little fiesty which is a good indication that she feels better. We even caught a couple of smiles!

And as for the boys, Logan is up to 40cc of formula and is packing on the pounds...he weighs 4lbs 10oz and is accumulating lots of cute baby rolls. We got to dress him yesterday and aren't sure he'll be in preemie clothes much longer, he is a chunk (a very cute chunk)! I think that they will let him try the bottle tomorrow and see how he does. He's doing great overall!

We gave Lathan a bath for the first time last night. I've never seen such fear on a baby's face!!! I told Patrick it looked as if he was signaling to Logan "I told you we were born too early...they never made it to the parenting class and learned how to bathe a baby!" We all survived though and I think that Lathan is thankful this is not an every night occurance. He too is doing very well and we hope to get to try the bottle with him tomorrow.

Thank you to EVERYONE for their continued support and for the daily and extra prayers that these babies are getting...it is definetly working!!!

5 comments:

  1. Wow! Thanks so much for the update! Mom had called me earlier to give me the news, but I may have just cried a little more "hearing" it from you! God keeps showing us that He is in control and that He is here right beside us through all of this. I'll keep praying...in the meantime, kiss all over those babies for me, tell them I love them, and I'll be back to visit soon. I love you all!!!

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  2. Steph & Patrick -
    We are so thankful that Lauren is doing better...what a wonderful gift God has given in the power of prayers! All the ladies at Craft Circle today sent "messages" on Lauren's behalf - appears they were received loud and clear!
    God Bless your family and your strength (and Georgette's strong will too!) Love Crystal & Randy

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  3. NEC is awful. AWFUL. Our William had it - and we too thought he'd need emergency surgery. I'm so glad that Lauren is doing better now. You've got to jump on that NEC fast with antibiotics!!! The "preemie shuffle" is so difficult, but it sounds like you are all doing well. Take good care!

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  4. Those prayers will continue. That power is incredible. I think we all have such a connection with you guys and these babies, I can't wait till we can all spoil them rotten. LU all!
    Debe

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  5. Dear Stephanie and Patrick,
    Although I don't know you at all, I now feel I have two sets of triplets to watch and pray for ... :-) Soooo glad to read that your little girl is doing better; I admire you for finding the energy to write the wonderful story and keep your loved ones informed. Your kiddos have landed with great parents! Best of luck and strength to you all!
    Anita (friend of Jessy and Steve)

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