Saturday 11/16/12- UPDATE

After 5 days in the NICU, the twins are slowly progressing.  It’s hard not to get our hopes up on the progress because each day we’ve heard positive news.  However, we are reminded daily that the NICU is a roller coaster ride.  There will be good days and there will be bad days. Today was a good day.   Julianna's jaundice has  improved which allowed the overhead light and her eye mask to be removed as well.  She’s now swaddled with a blanket in the incubator, an oxygen tube in her nose, and continues to be monitored.

            Gardner received her second blood transfusion this morning and her color is beginning to come back.  The past few days she has been very pale as compared to her sister.  Due to the multiple transfusions and her undeveloped stomach, she hasn't been able to eat consistently either.  The staff upgraded her breathing machine to a volume-based assistance that provides oxygen on an as-needed basis.  She was previously on a machine that forced continuous sequential breaths that was a little more evasive than the one she is on now.  She continues to be treated for Jaundice through light therapy.  She is scheduled to consume 1cc of milk at 5pm this evening.  She has calmed down a lot since the first few days and seems to be sleeping more easily.

            Caroline and I were able to listen during afternoon rounds today while the doctor described the progress of the twins.  He provided orders of the events mentioned above and answered our questions and concerns.  He also reminded us that the Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome can cause unforeseen consequences throughout their recovery and there may be complications down the road; however, he was encouraged due to the progress he’s seen so far.