latest update

Here's a summary of what has been going on with our sweet baby girl this week. My sister Tara typed this all up we we could keep track of everything.

Here is an update on Miss Emily's progress that Tiff and Cory said was ok to post on their behalf. I added a little history so you can all get caught up on what has happened in the last couple days.

Tues:
-Emily was admitted to the hospital because of the entire host of issues, namely, bilirubin 19.6 (20 is when they really get worried), weight being down to 6lbs 6oz, mom had a fever and needed antibiotics after the birth, baby being lethargic, etc.

Tues PM to Weds AM:
-Emily needs Oxygen(O2) given blow-by to her during feedings only because her oxygen saturations drop into the 70s (need to be above 90) when she is eating. Also has a chest x-ray about 9pm on Tuesday and it shows that her lungs are grainy indicating there is some fluid in them.
-Emily is on bili-lights to help her jaundice and doesn't get to be held. :(
-All intake and outake being measured.

Wednesday:
-Dr. Scott places Emily on antibiotics for pneumonia as a precautionary measure because of the fluid in the lungs shown on chest xray.
-Bilirubin down to 18, she continues to be on the lights and extra saline to help flush out her system.
-Dr. Scott consults a few other pediatricians because of the feeding/desatting issue and nobody has a clue as to what could be wrong.

Wednesday PM to Thurs AM:
-Emily is moved to oxygen by a nasal cannula during her feedings.

Thursday:
-Dr. Scott reports back that blood culture and urine cultures are looking good right now so it appears there are no infections in them.
-Chest xray taken again to check on the potential pneumonia and there is no fluid in the lungs anymore.
-Dr. Scott performs a spinal tap on Emily. Fluid is slightly yellow from the jaundice but results are normal.
-Dr. Scott gets a consult from Dr. Minton, a neonatalogist, and Dr. Minton orders the following tests:
Ultrasound of brain - results are normal
Arterial Blood Gas - results show that she is slightly acidotic (her pH is 7.35 and normal is 7.4) and her carbon dioxide levels are at 49 which is also slightly high. All in all, it is only mildly out of normal range currently.
PCG - test is now scheduled for Fri PM to Sat AM. This is a test where they are looking for a reflux problem and will stick a probe down her belly for 8hrs and monitor her. She was given relux medication today so they want to wait 24 hours after her meds were given before administering the test.

-Emily sats have been dropping into the 80s more today than before. As a result, she is placed on nasal cannula at all times. She is only on 1/4L which is very small but when the O2 is taken off her sats drop again.
-At the end of the day, Tiff and Cory hadn't heard anything more from either Dr. Scott or Minton to hear their commentary on the test results but hopefully will get some more answers tomorrow.