Belle Update: June 27

A few surprises for us today. 

One: We came in to find Arabella off the mask. Two: It turns out that she does have an infection. Three: They've started giving her drugs for her reflux.

It felt great to run my fingers through her hair.

The high-flow cannula is similar to the mask, but it doesn't have a set pressure. It's mostly oxygen.

We've noticed that it makes Belle breathe a little faster. Hopefully she can tolerate it for as long as possible, since it's a nice break from the mask and it gives her more freedom.

The blood cultures showed that she really does have an infection brewing, so antibiotics will need to continue for 5 more days through an IV. 

Her IV line blew this evening, of course, so she had to be poked a few more times until they found another good vein.

There's always something going on.

Arabella reacts negatively to certain sounds that she hears. Some of those sounds are a signal that something bad is about to happen, like the sound of plastic rustling or tape ripping. 

Now that she's older, she's more aware and responsive to everything around her. 

There isn't a baby in the NICU that likes to get their nose or mouth suctioned. Every nurse apologizes to Arabella profusely. 

Helping hands. 

Sometimes it takes a few people to get through a procedure, but accessing a tiny vein is a magicians job.

The final result, a solid IV line sitting in her foot.

Another busy day.

The staff started giving Belle drugs for her reflux, and it's really concerning. The drugs don't always work, and obviously they come with downsides. We don't know what to think at this point. 

We're all just so very tired lately.