Belle Update: Mar 11

Last night (and all of today) we noticed how much Arabella has swollen from the medication she's received - a typical side effect of indomethacin. 

It's almost scary to see her like this. Her face looks very puffy from the mask and chin-strap (as some of the water pools in the tighter/restricted areas). You can somewhat see how swollen her leg looks in the picture from today. 

She's weighing in at 800 grams. Her true weight is likely more around 750 (without the extra water weight). 

We can't complain. She's doing very well given all of the obstacles. 

The nurses and doctors have kept a close watch over her, and the news has been overall positive despite her water retention. Constant monitoring. During the last round of meds we had a big scare around her stomach and intestine, and we remember that all too well. She had very similar swelling so we weren't sure how to think or feel this time around.

Kiera had a mini-breakdown today, but she handled it well and picked herself back up rather quickly. I guess you can say we're getting better at managing our emotions. 

And sometimes you simply need to cry. Just let it out. 

So now Belle is back on the NIPPV mask (no more tubes going down her nostrils), no more vent and extra oxygen, and she's fully returned to breathing on her own. The NIPPV is set around 25-30% (air pressure). 

She's being such a tiny soldier. 

Arabella also had a head ultrasound completed within the last few days, and today we heard that it came back normal. That is a huge relief, as brain bleeds are very common in premature babies. It was one of the major things we were frightened about. Severe hemorrhaging is associated with all kinds of possible issues into the future. Deficits in language and cognition, behavioural problems, ADHD, etc., but so far we've been so fortunate regarding her brain. 

We've been trying to celebrate every milestone as much as possible. But as soon as Arabella jumps over a hurdle, there seems to be another one waiting around the corner. And that is why this is a journey. A marathon. 

You need to save that energy for the long-haul. Spread out your strength so that you can pace yourself all the way to the finish line.

Will there ever be a "real" finish, though? 

Never. 

Having a child is one long marathon that never fully ends. It's what Kiera and I have started to realize. 

A parent's job is never done.

God bless all the parents out there! Every parent is a true hero in our eyes now.