We love good days!

Today was one of them...but it didn't start out that way. Last night they told us that Sydney's most recent lab tests suggested that she may have a bacterial infection but it was inconclusive. They ordered another one and expected to get the results this morning. They were also concerned that her blood cell count was low (suggesting infection) and that she wasn't tolerating being at a lower rate for oxygen since being sedated on Wednesday. If her cell count didn't improve then we were looking at a blood transfusion.

When I called at noon, the cell count was even worse and she was on the same rate for oxygen. She also wasn't tolerating any bottle feeds at all. A blood transfusion was ordered. I was of the opinion that she was still under the influence of the mega dose of sedatives and just needed some more time. Of course the doctors want to err on the side of caution so they are not big on the "wait and see approach" for most things.

Anyway, I don't think I've prayed sooo hard in my life. We just don't want her to be sick again not only because it makes her miserable but also because one illness adds an average of 3 weeks to a preemie's stay in the hospital. 2 weeks of antibiotics and then another week or so of observation.

Before we left home we were advised that the second test for infection came back negative. Woot! By the time we got there, she was wide awake and switched from the high flow cannula to the lower flow at a rate of 175ccs. By the time B changed her and got her out to try a feeding, she was down to 100ccs. 10 minutes later, her sats were so high, we turned her down to 75ccs. At that point, the lead doctor came to chat with us and talked about the upcoming transfusion. Then she said, "The fact that she's not tolerating being weaned suggested that she may need a little help." Then she looked up at the oxygen setting and was SHOCKED! She said, "Wait! When did this happen! I was just in here!" I told her that she was just improving dramatically before our eyes. She said, "Wow! I'm putting a hold on the transfusion. This is amazing."

Then I started feeding her (she's been increased to 58ccs per meal) and our girl gulped that thing down in the fastest time she ever has and she never took one break. Typically, we have to give her 2-3 breaks because her breathing would get fast and she would struggle. She also would have trouble keeping her oxygen saturation high. It wasn't awful but it wasn't as perfect as it was when she wasn't eating. Today, she didn't de-sat ONCE. It's the best bottle feeding she has ever done. She's also now down to 50ccs of flow on the cannula.

Thank You God.