10/29/09: Updated

October 29, 2009 by Jason.

Both Juliana and Zoe were stable yesterday and through the night. Juliana received her second dose of medicine to close her Ductus arteriosus and is scheduled to receive the next dose shortly depending on her platelet count and other indicators. Once her ductus is closed, her heart and lungs will work easier and more efficiently. Zoe has improved her sodium and potassium levels and is able to have her oscillator settings slowly weaned down. She is fighting well. Jen has been discharged today and is feeling much better.

4:45 update:

I got a chance to talk to the attending neonatologist this afternoon about the girls. Juliana has ended her “honeymoon” period. Usually when a baby is born premature, they have a few days of extra high activity and strength, and then they get tired. For Juliana, it just means her ventilator rate has been increased to make it easier for her to breathe so she doesn’t get too tired. She is also on approximately 24% oxygen. The air you and I breathe is 21%, so needs minimal help to keep her oxygenation at a good level. She did receive the 3rd dose of the medication to close her ductus and they did an electrocardiogram to check if it worked. The results will come in tonight.

The neonatologist also talked to me about Zoe’s brain hemorrhage. She said that 30-40% will resolve themselves, while the remainder can have some of the neurological damage typical of a brain injury. Her settings are slowly being weaned and she is responding well. They are giving her every chance in the world to survive.

Jen had some fun in the unit this afternoon. Jenny, the nurse for Juliana, let Jen change Juliana’s diaper and take her temperature. She was thrilled.

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