She's stable, but still very swollen. There's fluid building up in her lungs which may require more and more air pressure as she continues to grow.
We need to buy more time (somehow) in order for this PDA to close.
Her PDA is causing her edema. There's fluid build-up in places all over her body. Some of this extra fluid needs to be removed, so doctors are trying to figure out the next steps.
She's already gotten a huge dose of a diuretic called Lasix. That one is quite strong. In addition to Lasix, there are less harmful medications that might be able to help. Unfortunately, the less harmful meds just don't seem to work as well, if at all (according to doctors). There was also talk about possibly giving her inhaled nitric oxide (iNO). We'll have to see.
We really need this PDA to close.
All of Belle's health details are discussed during the doctors' rounds, as a team of specialists go around the NICU, room by room, one baby at a time.
Kiera and I are consistently present at the morning rounds. The night rounds happen after midnight usually, so that's too late for us. But it's a perfect chance to ask any questions, get the full update, and discuss the plan going forward.
I usually write down a few terms I hear them throwing out, and then I research them later if needed. The nurses are also fantastic at explaining anything you might not understand. I'm amazed at how much knowledge they have in all sorts of areas.
In the last few days Kiera and I have each held Arabella. Sometimes even twice per day. It's been wonderful, and it's probably the best way for us to all relax.
"Everything is going to be alright," we tell her.
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