¡Vámonos!

After looking at the pictures from yesterdays procedure, the doctors decided that there is no broncomalacia.  NONE.  That is obviously good news.  So, the doctors decided to take an aggressive approach in removing the breathing tube.  They think that they can get the tube out tomorrow and bring back CPAP.  They have slowly been bringing down the rate and oxygen in the breathing tube and checking her blood gases almost hourly.  So far, so good.

I am a little nervous about going back on CPAP.  However, I looked back through the blog and read about the first time she got her breathing tube out and on CPAP.  She was just a hair over 2 pounds at that time.  First time on CPAP.  The doctors started Caroline on a few rounds of steroids today to help with swelling in her throat that she has now and may develop from removing the tube.  Before taking out the tube, they will load her up on caffeine to keep her stimulated and to remind her to breathe.  I feel a lot better this time since she is so much bigger now.

Speaking of weight, Caroline has recently put on some serious "oz's".  I did not mention her weight the last couple of days because I thought she had gained weight due to swelling.  Apparently, she has just grown and it is not from the swelling.  She is now 3 pounds, 14 ounces *updated*.  She has now more than doubled her birth weight.  When you see her now, she doesn't look that small.  In fact, her size almost looks normal.  She only looks small if you compare her to other babies in the NICU.

I think that Caroline may be bilingual.  Let me explain - one of Caroline's doctors is from Argentina.  Katie told her to speak in Spanish when she is working with Caroline because we want her to know Spanish.  At one point today, Caroline was depending a little too much on the breathing tube.  Her Argentinian doctor went to her bed and said "¡Vámonos!"  A few moments later, Caroline was cooperating.  Who needs Rosetta Stone?

Oh, and I do not know how to do the upside down exclamation mark or a "tilde".  I copied and pasted from www.vamonos.org.  So, special thanks the the ¡Vámonos! Community Ministries in Cibolo, Texas for their website.