Well, we made it though our first day on our own with Sophia. While she had a great first day her parents were a little stressed to organize her feedings and always checking if she was ok. Now we are settling in and enjoying ourselves. We even gave Sophia her first sponge bath this afternoon.
She ended up being discharged from the hospital with an NG tube for feeding, she is just not strong enough yet to suck down what she needs (she weighed 5 lbs 8 oz leaving the hospital). Also, cardiac babies have a hard time gaining weight so she has been put on a weight gain plan where the breast milk is slightly fortified with formula. Christopher and I are learning to manage her NG tube and at the same time keep offering her the bottle/breast so she can gain stamina and eventually eat on her own. We have also managed to give her medications - she is taking Zantac (to keep reflux from being a problem with her NG tube) and also the diuretic Lasix (to keep her lungs from accumulating fluid, a response to the surgery). The hospital was very organized with our discharge and has already set up appointments for us on Monday with the cardiologist at Children's and our pediatrician.
Our next big adventure is the flight home tomorrow night. Once home, we need to keep Sophia somewhat isolated initially until she heals more but after that we are really looking forward to introducing her to everyone.
Wednesday, April 18
first day on our own
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12 comments:
Oh excellent .. safe trip, and looking forward to having you all back in Seattle, Rebecca
baby wren from the group also has an apt on Monday maybe you will bump into them. thier website is http://echobaby.blogspot.com/
izzy has an appt monday in the vascular clinic upstairs they follow her for PHACES syndrome.
we hope that your flight goes well and that you are able to get rest. The feedings at night can be hard with the ng tube and all the extra time they take. we are wishing you all strength and a safe flight:)
congrats on such wonderful news:) we look forward to meeting your super star when you feel comfortable bringing her to the heart group. Thank you for sharing your exprince with us
EXCELLENT!! You guys are doing awesome and things will seem less overwhelming once you get the routine down. Excited to see you and meet Sophia.
Have a safe trip! I nursed Tuuli on all the 'ups' and 'downs' on the flights so she would swallow and not get pressure on her ears. That worked well (though mum was pretty nervous ...). I bet that first day on your own was pretty exciting! I'm sure any drop of breastmilk you can give her will make her strong!
Bodil
Yes!! Whoohoo!! Terrific news. Congratulations and an early Welcome Home!
Great news! We are excited to meet Sophia!! As always, our thoughts and prayers are with you. - Ignatius
It's wonderful to read about your GREAT progress-- thanks for sharing along the way. There's nothing like family and there's no place sweeter than home-- so welcome Sophia and welcome back home! Looking forward to meeting the new addition when she's ready to meet new faces : )
best
Bonnie
K & C
Tat and I live in the middle of nowhere. There is no distraction, no encounters you do not expect or arrange. If you want to hide away for a few days/weeks, hijack that plane, or declare a medica emergecy and have them detour to Providence. We'll pick you up, anytime, day or night.
Love
smd
Welcome home, Sophia!
Lisa
We are so happy for you guys!! Have a safe trip home, we are looking forward to seeing you and meeting Sophia!
Best,
Nathan, Kate, and Iris
Wonderful to be heading home! Good luck getting settled into your routine as new parents. We can't wait to meet her but know you will have your hands full initially. Best wishes, Kate & Nathan
Congratulations on finally heading back to Seattle! I'm sure that being home will have a great healing effect on Sophia *and* her parents (you two have been through a lot, too, to say the least). Makes sense that you'll need to keep her isolated for a bit, but we're all very much looking forward to meeting her. - June
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