Life as a Leach

This is neither a trach, nor a vent, nor does it have anything to do with a trach or a vent.  But, it goes along with my series.  Perhaps I should have come up with a different title.  Oh well... This is Abby's feeding pump, and it provides her with all of her milk.  She doesn't take anything by mouth right now, but we're hoping that will change soon!  (I'm kind of doubting it, but a girl can dream!) There is a feeding tube in Abby's belly that this pump tubing connects to.  The feeding tube is really not much of a tube at all.  In fact, we call it a "button."  It's a round circle (hence the name button!) that has a deflated balloon attached to it.  You insert the balloon side into her belly and fill it (through a little hole on the side) with a few mls of water.  That inflates the balloon and keeps the button in place.  We clean around the site each day, and that's about the extent of the care!  You only change the butto...

A Day Full of Good News Okay, I just got back from from the hospital feeling more encouraged than I have since Abby was born. I must share! * Abby had her MRI today (she did great and didn't require additional sedatives) and we got the results. Everything they were checking for looks fine!! This is a huge answer to prayer. Yippee!!! * Her feeds will continue to increase until Wednesday, when she should be at full feeds!! (That's one ounce--not much to us, but plenty to fill a premie's belly!) * Tomorrow, they will begin C-PAP trials. This is a machine that offers a slight bit of pressure to assist the airway, but it will be done through her ventilator to avoid Abby getting into breathing trouble if she doesn't tolerate it. If the trials look good, then she will be put on this instead of the vent. When she gets off the vent depends solely on Abby, but it could be Wednesday! *There was concern about a blood infection, but the culture hasn't grown ...