Our schedule the past 2 days involved lots of cuddle time in NICU. We go in every 3 hours for feedings, diaper changes, etc. While our room is a mere 100 yards away, the hallway journey is long. After each session we make it back to the room in time for food, shower, etc and turn back within about an hour.
Asher’s update: He needed some help staying warm and may need some billi photo light therapy for jaundice. All totally normal for premies, as is the fast fading skin rash.
His IV is coming out tonight. He is bottle feeding well and done with formula.
Overall he is doing amazingly well given his early entrance. We need his own ability to sustain body temp, jaundice, and his nursing skills to improve as markers for discharge for him. That may be only days away.
My update: recovering well. Slight tinges of pain as to be expected. Mildly elevated blood pressure as all the swelling starts to work its way out of my system. Most likely to be discharged tomorrow.
Great news is that we are secured for a few days to stay in the hospital with just linen service. Given our routine, getting out of the building for laundry or outside grocery type things is hard. I’m not yet super functional without my patient, kind, and highly empathetic husband. We are 90 min from home. I am so thankful for the place here to stay near our little man, for the fridge stocked with some easy to grab food from family and friends, and for the staff who has gone well beyond their requirements to care for all of us.
We are all doing well and headed for total health. It’s been quite a journey so far. I have no wishes to rush things for any of us, but am hopeful that we can all head home soon.