Caroline, Volunteers and College Football

Sorry for the lack of updates this week.  My phone has been ringing with people asking about Caroline, so it's time for an update.

Caroline has had an okay week.  She was improving her breathing at an incredible pace at the end of last week and the beginning of this week.  However, she has shown little improvement in the last couple of days.  She has not really gone backwards, but she has stayed about the same.  So, she will be on the CPAP until further notice.  The doctors do not seem to be seriously concerned with this development.  It is something that premature babies fight and it takes time.  She may have lingering effects, such as asthma, for a couple of years.  However, I hope it is something she can beat in the next couple of weeks.

Caroline had her first bad feeding at some point last night.  Before I explain further, I have to describe how they feed Caroline.  They give her breast milk through a feeding tube every three hours.  She is up to about 21 CC's at each feeding.  Before they feed her, they suck out the remaining food that is in her stomach.  Usually, 1 or 2 CC's will return and sometimes almost nothing returns.  However, she had 6 CC's return last night.  So, they ran a couple of tests today and there is no infection.  One test showed that she may be a little anemic, which would be another thing that premature babies commonly fight.  We are just now learning about this, so we will know more later.  The doctors did say this could be why she is slowing down on her breathing progress.  They seem to not think it's a big deal and they treat it a lot.  ***Update*** - They are going to do a blood transfusion in the next hour or so.  It is a very safe procedure and they think it will fix the problems she has had this week.

Alright, who is ready for a little "feel good" story?  The medical care that Katie, Caroline and I have received the last 7+ weeks has been phenomenal.  One group of people that I have not recognized is the volunteers.  We had a great experience this week with a volunteer group called First Memories Texas.  These volunteers come to the Texas Children's NICU each Wednesday and take pictures of your baby.  Then, they put a little scrap book together of the pictures that they liked.  They also gave us a CD with several pictures of Caroline.  Their service is completely free of charge and, from what I understand, we can use them several times.  This is really neat to me because I love photography.  Also, it is really difficult to get good pictures in the NICU since it is so dark.  Unfortunately, Caroline did not have her most photogenic moment when they were there on Wednesday.  I will try to upload some of the pictures later.  To learn more about this group, visit their website here.  They are always needing supplies if you ever feel inclined to donate.  When we get out of the NICU, I plan on helping them out.

Many of you probably think that being in the NICU all of the time is 100% depressing.  It's not.  Yes, there are really sad/scary moments, there is frustration, etc.  But you also come in contact with people at their absolute best.  None of the employees in the NICU have a job - it is a calling.  The volunteers are so generous and I want to be like them.  The doctors are miracle workers.  More than anything, it makes you rethink about what you consider to be your "problems".  It makes you realize how blessed you were before you were in the NICU and how blessed you are to be there.  Struggling with Caroline in the NICU has and will make me better and I am sure Katie would agree.

Katie and I found a babysitter for only a few thousand dollars, so we are going to go to the Texas/Rice football game tomorrow. The first weekend of college football - one of my favorite weekends of the year.  I may be have a child in the NICU, but I can take some good smack talk, so let's hear it!