Wednesday Afternoon

Afternoon Update - Wednesday, March 21st

Praises: We are off both IV heart medications; Ashton had her first eye exam; Ashton's follow-up Echocardiogram after being off the first heart medication showed NO decrease in heart function; Ashton is tolerating her 2cc milk feedings well and digesting the milk well.

Overall, today has been a good day. Vent. wise she hasn't made any progress and slid back just a little bit in her settings. Her lungs are "very wet" (lots of fluid) so it makes it pretty hard for her to adapt to the vent. changes. Her blood gases have been on the bad side, so they have given her a couple of medications to help with her respiration.

The neonatal opthamologist came by and did a full eye exam. I can't imagine what she could see in a 30 week gestation old babies eyes, but that is why she is the expert. She said Ashton's corneas, retinas, and overall eye function looks normal! She did believe that her main eye nerves were on the small side, but there is no way to tell if that means any decreased eye function. If Ashton is not tracking well at 6 months we will come back to Houston for another appointment with her, but otherwise she doesn't see any need to see her again. This is the first doctor that has talked to me about an appointment outside of the hospital or about Ashton at 6 months old. I started crying like a baby and scared the opthamologist into thinking I didn't understand she was giving me good news! It is hard going from doctors telling you your baby has "zero chance of survival" to "call me at six months if you don't think she is tracking well." I know that we still face many obstacles on this journey and Ashton's condition could change in an instant, but I CHOOSE to have faith on this journey.

We didn't do the picc line today because the doctor wanted to stop the other IV heart medicine and make as sure as we can be that we were not going to need the picc line with two ports. Since she has tolerated the stopping of the IV heart medicines well today, I am pretty certain the picc line will be inserted tomorrow. However, as I've learned NOTHING in the NICU is certain!

The follow-up echocardiogram was good.  The cardiologist talked to me about what/how her heart may progress.  The neonatologist talked to me about the possibility of heart surgery to fix the extra blood vessel her heart has if it does not close on its own.  That is at least "two weeks" down the road which is a life time, literally, to Ashton.  I'm not even thinking about that process yet!

Our biggest prayer requests right now would be that we start improving on our vent. settings and that our heart function stays stable now that we are off the IV heart medicines.  I know everyone's lives are so busy.  We can't begin to tell you how much your prayers and messages have meant to us.  We have seen God doing amazing things with our sweet angel and we are trusting in his plan for our family.   Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NIV

Much love,
Brandi