Feeding Tube, Echocardiogram & Home Soon

The doctor just called.

He thinks Elise will be able to go home within the week (i.e. 3-7 days). AND he's having the nurses take out her feeding tube!!! As anyone who has had a premature baby in the NICU knows, this is a BIG sign that she's going home soon. I can hardly believe it. The plan will be for them to put the tube back in 2-3 times per day as needed if she isn't able to finish her bottle.

He confirmed that the test she had to confirm she does in fact simply have a PDA and not another heart problem was an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). She'll follow up with a cardiologist until it closes and will have another echocardiogram about 2-3 weeks post-discharge. In less that 5% of babies, it doesn't close on its own. If this is Elise, she would need either surgery or a coil to close it.

He also started talking more about "when she goes home" stuff. Every 1-2 weeks she'll need to check in with her pediatrician for weight, length and head circumference to ensure she is continuing to grow. Right now she is close to the 50th percentile for weight, her head has "fallen off" the charts (partly due to CPAP) and her length is just below the 50th percentile. He told me to look at her growth chart with the nurses while we're there today. That'll be interesting.

Sheesh, isn't it ironic how the Lord works? You verbally process that you need His help to keep strong, and then He gives you exactly what you need to do so.

Thank you for your continued prayers. He's listening.