More on the lungs

As suspected, Asher was put back on CPAP in the wee hours of the night I last updated. Poor little guy was just struggling and needed to be bagged 3 times on night shift so they said enough is enough.  The good news though, is that the return to CPAP was apparently the final push the doctor needed to concede to giving Asher what we and the nurses felt was a much needed blood transfusion. Asher's hemoglobin was very low as of last bloodwork although the doctors did not feel it was low enough to transfuse. In addition to being yellow from the jaundice he was so incredibly pale and did not look well, but this didn't seem to cause alarm to the higher powers, only those of us that stare at him all day. Apparently, at this point a baby should be starting to make their own red blood cells, so transfusing puts a halt to that process and tells the body that they can get those cells elsewhere (the transfusion) and therefore they stop producing. But because of the return to CPAP it was apparent Asher needed some help and therefore the benefits outweighed the risk.

I returned last night and could not believe the difference in Asher. It had not been long enough for the blood to change his behaviour, but his colour - oh my! He was the most beautiful shade of pink and made Nolan look down right pale compared to him. Hopefully this is the last  little push he needs.

Nolan is doing very well now that he is back on CPAP. Last night I got to give him a bath! Previously, I had been "taught" to give a bath to Asher, but mostly just observed. Last night it was all me with Nolan. As a first time mom with Rio, I was always amazed by my own confidence bathing her, but with these mini little squirmers, it's terrifying. When I was done with Nolan (it was actually easy peasy) and the nurse said "ok, go ahead and put him back" I froze in terror. "In the crib? Wet and slippery? You want me to carry him back to the crib?!!!" Well needless to say, I did, and it was all of 1 step, but it was the most frightening step I have ever taken! We all survived though, and Nolan seemed to thrive on the physical care from mom. As often as we can, we will start trying to be there for bath time in the evening now that we get to have such a big role.

As for CPAP plans we don't know exactly what is happening today but we have some very good nurses (who are not afraid to voice their opinions) who want to strongly advocate for the boys and us, and tell the doctors they are NOT ready to be pushed so hard. We are hoping that they each have at least another day or two of rest, but if not, they're suggesting that they cycle on and off CPAP and the prongs for the next few days because clearly the cold turkey method doesn't work for these guys. So we'll see and keep you updated as they progress.