Thursday, April 30, 2009

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.

16 comments:

Just Believing said...

What a wonderful exciting time!!!!! God is so GREAT!

Stephanie said...

Awesome news!!!!! Still praying for your sweet girl!

Melissa Nickerson said...

Great news Em, crazy how God answered your blog post in a series of minutes with a phone call from the dr.!

Rachel said...

Great news!! Still praying!!!

Rejchrts said...

Great news, we are still praying for all three of you! What an Awesome God!!

~Amanda~ said...

WOW!! Being able to go home is great news!! I'm so happy for you guys!

Mandy Gramkow said...

YAY! Praying for you as you prepare to bring her home! Yippee!

Amanda said...

Yay!!! Now go to have that Girl's Night Out or take that bubble bath or whatever because you are going to be an even busier mama soon! :)

Matt & Sharon Mormance said...

Hi Emily,

I just spent some time looking through your blog, catching a glimpse into the journey you and Kit and Elise have been on these past few months. I am SOOO excited that your little girl will be going home soon - that you will get to do all her feedings and change all her diapers (instead of the nurses).

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.

Sharon

Becca Sue Congdon said...

WOW! So amazing. :)

steph said...

Hi Miss Em,
So very happy that Miss El will coming home soon. God is good and He will be with you and your very beautiful little girl.

Unknown said...

Yahoo!!! This is SO EXCITING:):)

Susan Carson said...

We are so happy for the Wagner family!

Unknown said...

Days!!! what a blessing to be bringing her home within days now! The lord is good to us everyday, I am so excited for your family to be whole and home :)

Krista said...

WOOHOO!!! That's great news! =) Still praying!
~Krista from Sunny Seattle

Anonymous said...

i swore id stop reading new blogs because i get so addicted and then have to read them every night.. its so time consuming! lol BUUUUUUT, im totally ganna hafta follow ur adorable baby girl. I know u and the hubs will be SO excited to fianlly have her home.. i cant wait for u to be able to experience that.. so happy she is doing well.. she has certainly come along way.. she looks so much plumper than her earlier pics.. congrats on ur precious gift. ;)