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Extubated!

The title of this blog says it all!  Lia is finally off the vent!  We got a call early this morning from our fabulous nurse, Nicole, who told us that they were taking it out!  We hurried over to the hospital, but didn't make it in time to see it come out.  By the time we got there she already had her oxygen cannula back in her nose (standard procedure following a vent removal), and looked SO GOOD!  I love that she doesn't have that tube anymore.  It was bothering her, which of course, bothered me too.  Shes on high flow oxygen for a while to make sure her lungs are getting what they need and also doing breathing treatments every 4 hours to make sure shes taking big breaths like she needs to.

If you saw my Facebook post today, you also know that I GOT TO HOLD HER!!!  First time in 2 weeks, and it felt oh-so-good!  I loved having her back in my arms.  While I was holding her, we tried a bottle feed, which didn't go so well.  She will have to re-learn how to suck, since shes only had IV nutrition for so long.  Later on in the afternoon when we tried again, she did a little better.  She took about 15 MLs and they they finished the rest through her feeding tube.  Jessica, tonight's nurse, told me that she was going to work real hard with her so that I would hopefully be able to try and feed her again tomorrow.  And then once she gets that down, I'll be able to try nursing again!

We had several special visitors today.  My Grandma B. and Uncle Dan came down from DesMoines to spend some time with us, and also, my friend, Erica, from Wichita, came to see Lia and brought us some delicious dinner as well! 

Things are looking good here!  Lia is doing great and recovering exactly how she should!  So proud of her!


Look at me with my vent out!  4 weeks old tomorrow!

Nicole helping me prepare to hold her. It was quite a process. Lots of chords.

There we go, all tucked in to Mommys arms.

Trying a bottle feed

Trying to get her to suck on her pacifier

Lia and her Uncle Dan

Lia and her Great Grandma B

Lia and Erica!
In case you were wondering what the 'BNP STUDY' sign means on the front of her warmer, Lia is participating in a study that monitors newborns and their reactions to coming off ventilatiors after open heart surgery.

Comments

Amanda Byersdorfer said…
LOVE this post! We are so happy for you! And that is so awesome you got to hold her! There is nothing harder than not being able to hold your newborn for so long! Im so glad she is doing well enough to be held! Mommy snuggles are the best medicine!
Keep up the good work Lia! Prayers continue for you!
April 23, 2012 at 10:44 AM
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