48-Hour Update

We had a few ups and downs yesterday, but overall, things are going well. I will update according to each baby:

Hunter: Hunter's O2 levels continued to go up and down throughout Wednesday evening and through the night into Thursday. We got word that his numbers plummeted on Thursday night and his need for O2 increased greatly. We had a feeling that Hunter was going to be transported to a local Level III NICU, and we were right. The lead neonatologist came and spoke with us about his concerns for Hunter staying here, and that he really felt Hunter needed to be transported to a hospital more equipped to handle his prematurity level and help him get over this hump and move on. We agreed. They got things set up and the transport team arrived about an hour later. They got Hunter all settled in his isolette and brought him to my room so we could say goodbye. We were eager for him to begin treatment at the NICU. A few hours later, Hunter's NICU nurse called and spoke with Dan with an update. Hunter's bloodwork all looks really well, but X-ray has determined that he has an early onset of Pneumonia. They've started some antibiotics (two different kinds) and also began giving him 7 ml of formula since all he had recieved since birth was some sugared saline until his O2 numbers stabilized. Dan went to Hunter's hospital last night and spent a few hours there. He was very happy to report that Hunter is doing AWESOME. His O2 levels have improved dramatically and he is currently on room air with a canula and low levels of O2 being given. He is the largest baby in his wing and the doctors expect he will be released within a week, if not sooner. He's taking his feedings well and they will begin increasing the amount of milk with each feeding. My milk is in as of a few hours ago, so he'll begin getting breastmilk, as well. We can't wait to get an update this morning! We're hoping that the pneumonia was causing the majority of Hunter's setbacks, and that the agressive treatment will get him on the right track.


Tucker: We are HAPPY to report that Tucker has the nurses and doctors EXTREMEMLY pleased with him as a 34-week preemie. Not only has he been eating and on room-air since birth, but yesterday morning he began regulating his own temperature and was able to STAY IN OUR ROOM WITH US! It was so nice not having to be wheeled to the nursery anymore - I had my baby IN MY ROOM! What a blessing! They started allowing me to nurse him at every third feeding, but sticking with the high-caloric formula for the remainder of the feedings. He really needs to start gaining some weight so I'm pumping a lot and saving it for later. Late morning, the pediatrician came by and gave us even MORE incredible news - he said that if Tucker continued to do so well, he would be going home with us when I'm discharged on Saturday! They're just baffled at how well he is progressing without needing any interventions other than the formula. He is doing well with his weight, too. 24 hours after birth, he had only lost 5 oz of his body weight, going from 4 lbs 14 oz to 4 lbs 9 oz. The nurse weighed him last night, at the 48 hour mark, and he was still at exactly 4 lbs 9 oz. They were very pleased that he hadn't lost anymore weight! He's nursing like a champ and beginning to take more and more formula with each feeding. I'm extremely amazed at his will to grow stronger and stronger, even at such a young small preemie. He's such a little fighter!