It seems as though I have let time get away from me this week and missed putting in a day or two. Thank you for all being so patient and interested in Addison's progress. I have gotten a few reminders this week from friends and family that they check on this page for Addison's progress, so my apologies I am a few days behind.Addison is doing really well (my famous line....knock on wood). Our little angel has made us soooo proud....ahh we just love her!!! When we started off this week Addison weighed in on Monday at 5 lbs and 4 oz for bath night!! We were so excited, she had made it to the 5 lb mark we had been hoping for. What a little fighter. Now as of Friday evening bath night, the little monkey has gained another whole 5 0z over 5 days and is now weighing a whopping 5lbs and 9 oz!!!!! Can you believe it. We were all concerned when we saw this weight coming back on, especially with two weigh ins with an increase of 125 g each time. However on Thursday the doctors completed a chest x-ray to see how Addison's lungs were doing (for fluid retention and wet lungs) and the x-ray looked "suprisingly" clear. We were so happy!!! 
We understand however that this does not mean Addison may not need the diurectics again for fluid retention etc, but to hear that her little lungs were looking alot better was surely a relief for us!
We understand however that this does not mean Addison may not need the diurectics again for fluid retention etc, but to hear that her little lungs were looking alot better was surely a relief for us! On Monday Addison had both a hearting test and was reviewed by the Physiotherapists. Addison passed her first hearing test, which consisted of three electrodes placed about her forehead and one behind each ear. A stimulus is sent to the ear and the electrodes measured the transfer of this information to the brain if Addison recognized it. We were advised that she is still at risk and will continue to be retested simply because of her gestational age and premature birth. The physiotherapists reported that they began an assessment on Addison and were able to do some of her eyes and hearing, and were satisfied with both. Addison was exhausted and could not stay awake for long so the full assessment could not be completed. We discussed some exercises like "eye tracking" and "voice stimulus" that we can do with Addison when she is awake to strengthen and encourage the growth of her eyes and ears. Addison will not be able to escape the physiotherapists for long however, as they will come back next Tuesday to do the full workover.
On Tuesday Addison, mommy and daddy, were made T.V. stars again and did another interview for Global Television on the training they had received for the "Period of Purple Crying" program at the hospital. Watch for the spot on Global news scheduled for January 13th during the Family Health section. Addison was a little more tired for this T.V. interview, but she still did fantastic and stole the show just because she is just so darn cute. On Wednesday Addison had her eyes retested for ROP and results were good. Her eyes both remain at a Level 1 and Stage 2 (Level 0 and Stage 3 being ideal), and she remains at a low risk for surgery at this time. She will be retested again in two weeks and we will again anticipate the outcome. 
We have experienced with other parents in the NICU that anything can change on a given day, so any test done and results are so important for these little guys. One of Addison's friends has already received the surgery and another is still being tested for any progression with surgery dates pending. Our thoughts and prayers go out for a fast recovery for one family and no surgery for the other waiting family.
We have experienced with other parents in the NICU that anything can change on a given day, so any test done and results are so important for these little guys. One of Addison's friends has already received the surgery and another is still being tested for any progression with surgery dates pending. Our thoughts and prayers go out for a fast recovery for one family and no surgery for the other waiting family. Addison has remained stable on her oxygen, with only a few self-recovering desats and a few bad spells as a result of that dreaded reflux. She was actually prescribed Reninatadine for her reflux on Thursday to help with the reflux and acid burning, which she receives twice a day via her feeding tube. Her oxygen remains at a pressure of 10% and she has been moved down to a flow of 60 and seems to be managing well. We are continuing to move on this slowly as we are now concentrating on Addison's feeds. We have been advised that 
it may be inevitable that Addison comes home with oxygen, which we have accepted. She just seems to need that extra little push. Addison continues her feeds on a modified "bolus" through a pump and is now receiving 49 ml over an hour period. We attempted to move this down to have her feeds put in over 45 minutes but Addison did not respond well and began to desat. She was moved back to the hour as we want to continue having feeds be pleasurable. Bloodwork completed this week showed that Addison's proteins were on the high side so they have discontinued the addition of protein powder to her milk, however she still continues to receive the addition of Human Milk Fortifier. We spoke with our Nurse Kathy and were advised that they are dipping into my milk supply at the hospital and we may actually have to bring some from the freezer to the hospital. Mom and dad had received some frustrating news this week that Addison now may also possibly be coming home on a feeding 
tube as well. We always had it in the back of our minds that this may be a possibility, but we were somewhat confused as we had not even attempted breast or bottle feeding fully yet, so why was it being suggested coming home on a feeding tube. We would have to be trained to be able to insert three feeding tubes each via her nose, so that we could be in control of her feeds at home. We did not have any problems with this, we just were not to sure why when it was not even decided that she was unsuccessful with bottle or breast. We discussed this with one of our primary nurses and they agreed that we needed to attempt oral feeds first and prove them unsuccessful before it be determined whether or not Addison comes home on one. So mom met with a wonderful nurse; Diane who is also an experienced lactation consultant and learned the proper methods to gently wake Addison for her feeds and attempt to get a response from her that she is willing to try the breast. Addison made her first attempt on Friday and did an excellent job. She was very awake and gave us several cues like smacking her lips, licking and opening her mouth. Diane instructed mom on proper holding techniques and then methods and procedures to get Addison latched on the breast. Addison was a superstar and proved that she was indeed willing to give breast a go and latched on with ease. After a few tries she got the "suck, swallow, breath" mechanics down, which many preemie babes have the most issues with and had a good run at the breast for about 15 minutes. Mommy had tears in her eyes seeing her little superstar hard 
at work again, and relished in the feeling that she was finally doing her part as a "mom" for little Addy. What a wonderous feeling that all the hard work at my pumping constantly everyday, every two hours had finally payed off. Addy was pretty pooped after her big accomplishment and was then out like a light for the rest of the day. Babies expend a tremendous amount of energy and calories breastfeeding, so mommy was advised that this is something she will try only once a day to start Addison out. It was clearly put that Addison may not be successfuly every time, but she definitely had the mechanics down which was the first big step. Over the next few days we will actually begin taking weights of Addison pre and post breast feeding to attempt to see how much milk she is actually receiving. If she continues to be successful, we can then try two feeds on breast during the day, and possibly daddy with a supplemental bottle. Not the easy and natural process I thought it would be, but nonetheless very rewarding. Sooo....maybe coming home on a feeding tube may mean only for partial feeds to supplement the times that Addison may not be strong enough to do complete oral feeds but strong enough to come home. Not quite sure, so we trudge on with the whole process. Nurses advised mom and dad that the next step may involve mom and dad going into the Care by Parent unit, where you actually stay in the hospital and your baby moves into the room with you. The hospital has small one room units with a bed and monitors for the babies that you move into and complete full care for your child, with a nurse on staff for minor assistance, and any problems that you may encounter. This allows parents to have more confidence in taking their little miracles home and deal with any medical issues that may arise. Wow I cannot even imagine having the possibility of Addison so close to us for a full day and night, how wonderful that will be. Scary but an absolute dream. Nurses advised that we should expect at least another month in the NPCU unit prior to Care by Parent, god willing all goes well with little Addy. She truly is a little miracle and I admire her strength more each day.
it may be inevitable that Addison comes home with oxygen, which we have accepted. She just seems to need that extra little push. Addison continues her feeds on a modified "bolus" through a pump and is now receiving 49 ml over an hour period. We attempted to move this down to have her feeds put in over 45 minutes but Addison did not respond well and began to desat. She was moved back to the hour as we want to continue having feeds be pleasurable. Bloodwork completed this week showed that Addison's proteins were on the high side so they have discontinued the addition of protein powder to her milk, however she still continues to receive the addition of Human Milk Fortifier. We spoke with our Nurse Kathy and were advised that they are dipping into my milk supply at the hospital and we may actually have to bring some from the freezer to the hospital. Mom and dad had received some frustrating news this week that Addison now may also possibly be coming home on a feeding 
tube as well. We always had it in the back of our minds that this may be a possibility, but we were somewhat confused as we had not even attempted breast or bottle feeding fully yet, so why was it being suggested coming home on a feeding tube. We would have to be trained to be able to insert three feeding tubes each via her nose, so that we could be in control of her feeds at home. We did not have any problems with this, we just were not to sure why when it was not even decided that she was unsuccessful with bottle or breast. We discussed this with one of our primary nurses and they agreed that we needed to attempt oral feeds first and prove them unsuccessful before it be determined whether or not Addison comes home on one. So mom met with a wonderful nurse; Diane who is also an experienced lactation consultant and learned the proper methods to gently wake Addison for her feeds and attempt to get a response from her that she is willing to try the breast. Addison made her first attempt on Friday and did an excellent job. She was very awake and gave us several cues like smacking her lips, licking and opening her mouth. Diane instructed mom on proper holding techniques and then methods and procedures to get Addison latched on the breast. Addison was a superstar and proved that she was indeed willing to give breast a go and latched on with ease. After a few tries she got the "suck, swallow, breath" mechanics down, which many preemie babes have the most issues with and had a good run at the breast for about 15 minutes. Mommy had tears in her eyes seeing her little superstar hard at work again, and relished in the feeling that she was finally doing her part as a "mom" for little Addy. What a wonderous feeling that all the hard work at my pumping constantly everyday, every two hours had finally payed off. Addy was pretty pooped after her big accomplishment and was then out like a light for the rest of the day. Babies expend a tremendous amount of energy and calories breastfeeding, so mommy was advised that this is something she will try only once a day to start Addison out. It was clearly put that Addison may not be successfuly every time, but she definitely had the mechanics down which was the first big step. Over the next few days we will actually begin taking weights of Addison pre and post breast feeding to attempt to see how much milk she is actually receiving. If she continues to be successful, we can then try two feeds on breast during the day, and possibly daddy with a supplemental bottle. Not the easy and natural process I thought it would be, but nonetheless very rewarding. Sooo....maybe coming home on a feeding tube may mean only for partial feeds to supplement the times that Addison may not be strong enough to do complete oral feeds but strong enough to come home. Not quite sure, so we trudge on with the whole process. Nurses advised mom and dad that the next step may involve mom and dad going into the Care by Parent unit, where you actually stay in the hospital and your baby moves into the room with you. The hospital has small one room units with a bed and monitors for the babies that you move into and complete full care for your child, with a nurse on staff for minor assistance, and any problems that you may encounter. This allows parents to have more confidence in taking their little miracles home and deal with any medical issues that may arise. Wow I cannot even imagine having the possibility of Addison so close to us for a full day and night, how wonderful that will be. Scary but an absolute dream. Nurses advised that we should expect at least another month in the NPCU unit prior to Care by Parent, god willing all goes well with little Addy. She truly is a little miracle and I admire her strength more each day. 
1 comment:
hi guys, wow lots of great news! Great for Addison for the successful breastfeeding. Just in case she does come home on a feeding tube, Story did as well and she only had it in for 1 month after we came home and then it was gone. Story was just too tired to wake up for all her feeds, she took about half of them orally and we had to tube the other half. It was scary at first to learn how to insert the tube etc...but after a week of practising in the hospital we felt like pros and it was no big deal to do it at home. It was a HUGE day though when we took it out! anyway, best of luck and GO Addison!
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