Transfusion Results

Saturday was quite busy and hectic, so I feel like we have so much to update!

Maria's transfusion went well and not-so-well. Technically, all went as planned. Maria had to skip 2 full feedings during the transfusion, which she survived thanks to lots of extra holding and cuddling by us and the nurses when she got upset (who doesn't when they're hungry??). She took the IV like a champ - didn't cry at all. Now that the transfusion is over, she looks as red as a golden delicious apple! So on the surface, it was a success.

The transfusion went not-so-well in the sense that it has not made a difference in the number of her alarms. Before the transfusion, she was on a 2-litre air flow and a bit of additional oxygen.
Now after the transfusion, she is still on a 2-litre air flow and additional oxygen.

Of course no one knows why this happens, they just say that they've seen it before. Maria did receive three times the amount of blood over what she received the first time, so her heart and lungs may just need some time to adjust to added volume. We'll just have to wait and see how she does. This situation is very frustrating for both of us. It's difficult to be patient. It's difficult to see Maria take one step forward and two steps back.

After her transfusion, the doctor gave her a diaheretic to make more space for the added volume in her body. So on Saturday morning, she had actually lost an ounce. Last night, though, she gained 80 ounces, and is up to 4 lbs. 7 oz! Her belly is quite disended though, so we're watching that.

Her alarms continue this morning.

The nurses are noticing that most of her alarms are clustering around her feeding times. As her belly fills, it can push up against her lungs, causing her to alarm. They also suspect that she may be developing some reflux, which could also explain the alarms. The doctor will decide today if she'll put Maria on reflux medication.

The little step forward among all the set-backs is that Maria is doing very well maintaining her body temperature. She should be moved into a "big girl bed" very soon.

Her ROP test has been pushed back again...we're just waiting on the opthamologist - any day now.

The best news about Saturday is that Maria took a full feeding by bottle on Saturday morning! Her first full bottle!! And she was sucking away still when the formula ran out, too! We're are so excited for her.

In conclusion, Saturday was a roller-coaster day. Thank God that Aunt Michelle was here to drink loads of coffee and wine with! On Saturday afternoon the Erie girls threw us a beautiful shower...we are so grateful! I was gushing at the shower about how well Maria was doing. I left the shower and went to the hospital, only to find Maria had taken a step back. I am always amazed at how quickly her condition can change. One day we're starting to catch a glimmer of the finish line at the end of the NICU, and a few hours later, we feel like we're starting over again.

For the moment, Maria really is doing well....but she also really has a long way to go...I'm never going to Cedar Point again.