6.19.2008

Washing It Away

Maybe this bath thing isn't so bad.

Thank you all for the kind comments, text messages, emails, tweets, and carrier pigeons. I don't have pity parties very often because, really, feeling sorry for myself is not a good use of my time, and I have too much to be thankful for. However, everyone needs to let it out every now and then.

Maddie's new amped-up Xopenex breathing treatment works wonders. After she has it, she breathes like a normal baby, not a wheeze or whistle to be heard. Of course, four hours later, that's all back, but then it's time for another breathing treatment. The diuretic is making her pee like a freaking...hmm...what is something that pees a lot? Insert that thing here. Because she's peeing a LOT. Friday morning's blood tests will determine if it's too much pee. Apparently you CAN pee too much. That reminds me of that one New Year's Eve where I got so dehydrated I didn't pee until 4:30 pm on January 1st. Man, did we celebrate when I flushed that pee down!

What the heck am I talking about?

We were worried the higher oxygen setting would be very uncomfortable and disruptive to Maddie's sleep, but it actually had the exact opposite effect. She slept like something that sleeps a lot (insert that thing here). Last night she slept from 12:30 to 6:30. Mike and I did a damn jig this morning when we realized we'd had six straight hours of sleep. Then we pushed each other over as we ran to make sure she was okay. I know every parent does that the first time their child sleeps for a long period of time.

I received a few comments and emails with questions. For example, Memphislis asked Dr. Google (who is looking for new patients, by the way) if the extra oxygen would hurt her eyes. Dr. Google is not trained in The Ophthalmology, so she deferred to Dr. Looove. Dr. Looove said that oxygen is only a detriment when eyes are developing, and Maddie's eyes are done developing. So that's good. Kailey emailed me to ask if two liters was a lot. Well, for Maddie it's a lot. The highest she's ever received was 2 1/2 liters/minute when she was in the NICU. We're hoping that two liters is only temporary.

I want to open up my comment section to any questions you all might have about Maddie. Anything from my pregnancy to her time in the NICU up to today. It's all up for grabs. I'm hoping your questions will help me keep a better record for Maddie, and also help remind me of crucial things I might have forgotten over time. I also want to make sure I'm not leaving anyone behind with my jargon. Should I have an FAQ section? Mi blog es su blog. Or something.

If you don't have any questions, feel free to tell me I'm awesome. After all, tomorrow starts my birthday week! We'll keep you all posted on the test results.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Heather i've read quite a few of your posts (not all sorry). I wondered why it was that that Dr Lung? thought Maddie had cystic fybrosis. Was it to do with the breathing difficulties? Are these difficulties primarily due to her prematurity? Has anyone been able to tell you when Maddie's breathing issues will be over? I guess not because there would have been a yahoo post from you. Sorry for the dumb questions. I guess as a reader I don't get see you cry but you guys really seem to be so strong. I admire that.

Anonymous said...

Ack! I'm a bit late!

I'm sorry that you guys are going through this again/still. You definitely deserve a pity post after everything! Hope the steroids etc start working and that her bloods came back nice and normal.

Thinking of you guys!

Kristin.... said...

Ok, Maddie gets cuter by the moment.
You are awesome. It's birthday week time! Sunday for me! :)
I don't have questions; I think I read your entire blog one night. Yes, stalkerish but who cares.

Mom24 said...

OK, You are awesome. Happy Birthday week. She is soo cute. I'm glad the oxygen is helping. I am so glad that you didn't say she slept like a baby. I've never understood that phrase! Happy weekend, hope it keeps helping.

Anna Marie said...

You are totally awesome! Also, I am echoing a question already asked, but at what point do the docs expect Maddie to outgrow her need for oxygen and breathing treatments? I think I remember reading that Dr. Lung didn't seem to think this was a goal, but I also think Dr. Lung needs to pull her head out of her ass. So there.

Z said...

No questions, so I'm just going to say that YOU'RE AWESOME! :)

Anonymous said...

I think a FAQ section would be great!

Jon said...

Heather. You are awesome. I didn't leave you any kind or hopeful messages about Maddie because I am a bastard with a heart of stone who only cares about his blog & moving BHJ products. Actually, that pic from your 06/18 post nearly killed me. That's a cute baby.

Aunt Becky said...

Okay, you got me: you're fracking awesome.

And my question for you is: How on EARTH did you get such a cute daughter? Seriously, now.

Jen said...

You guys are amazing and I for sure think you are allowed to cry whenever you want!

I was just curious what you did for work. Lame question, I know.

Alison aka Baby B said...

I have not read your entire archives (can I say "yet" or is that stalkerish?), so sorry if any of these you've already answered...
1. What was Maddie fed in the NICU? Baby A had Nutramigen because she was all underdone inside even though we were supposedly overdone by 2 weeks. Maddie was 11(!!) weeks underdone, so I'm very curious about the preemie nutrition.
2. What are Maddie's favorite solid foods? What does she hate?
3. Isn't it illegal to have a baby that cute? No, seriously. :]

Amy said...

Ok....pee like a race horse....or rather it's piss like a race horse, so the saying goes, but what the hell does that mean?

I don't have any questions, because I am also stalkerish and read your entire blog in one sitting while at work when I should have been working!

But YOU are awesome and Maddie is the cutest baby i've ever seen....hands down!

Anonymous said...

Heather (and Mike) --
You are AWESOME! I'll give you both a hug soon!
love,
Christy

moosh in indy. said...

My husband pees a lot and sleeps a lot.
You are awesome.
The end.

Danielle said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK!

You're awesome.

No questions.