So, today we began 'Marsupial therapy'(skin on skin...like mother kangaroos and koalas)...This was huge. We came in, and for Christi her first time in three days as she was running a fever, and found her incubator quite barren from many of the instruments used to assist her breathing and feeding. Not only did they stop her c-pap breathing treatment, but also her nutrient tube through her belly button. First thing they asked was who would like to begin Marsupial therapy first...I of course deferred to Christi.
Regrettably between the two cameras we brought, one was missing the memory card, the other ones battery was exhausted. Sorry all. We dimmed the lights, pulled up two reclining chairs, and Eva rested on Christi's chest for over two hours. It was so peaceful and needed. It was hard for us and I would imagine Eva to place her back in her little blanket nest in the incubator. She has made it so far, thank God.
Babbo
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Sunday afternoon
Sunday Christi went on bedrest as she has overextended herself being a new mother and all, and needs time to heal properly. This found me alone with Eva, for a joyful and peaceful afternoon at the hospital...I held her and she held me.
Babbo
The facts
I'll try and describe Eva's condition as simply and correctly as I perceive it.
She has gained 60 grams as of today, which brings us to a grand total of 1060 grams... It's not a whole lot, but it's the right direction, and proportional to her size and age.
Her heart valve that was open has closed....very good.
She suffers(we suffer more I think) from apnea. Her brain is not yet mature to the point of keeping her perpetually breathing. So she forgets. When she forgets her monitors for her heartrate and breathing drop, and all the alarms go off. Very scary..The nurses usually come over after a few moments and rub her back, feet, limbs rather vigorously...Waking her up in a sense. This is normal, just not comfortable for us or her. She is on caffeine and now another medicine to combat this. Usually around 32 weeks this clears up. She would be 29 weeks today...That's almost 2 weeks old....
She digest milk more effectively.
She is also on a C-PAP breathing treatment. This is simply a mask covering her nose that helps push air in. She's little and needs as much help as she can. This is not intubation. This also helps with the apnea, and as she is doing well with everything she may get off the treatment very shortly. It's too bad as we cannot see her face so well....especially as it is changing so much every day.
We're hoping to begin 'Marsupial therapy' shortly.
She's crying now. Not so much a week ago, or barely audible is more like it. But she opens her mouth, arches her back and lets out a whole lot. It's kind of sad, but really exciting as she excersises her lungs...
Here's her with all her gear on..
Babbo
Texas..
Ciao Texans!
Every medical form Christi has had to fill out asks her place of birth..Houston, Texas...Christi and her family moved to Ann Arbor when she was in 5th grade, so it's a bit odd when she has to keep writing Texas on everything. But everyone(mainly nurses) in the hospital lights up when they see or hear Texas. There is this myth about or maybe a longing for Texas here in the hospital..could it be Italy? Michigan not so much... So we showed the Longhorns sign to a few of them. I will also admit having cheered Texas on against USC a few years back, when Vince Young manhandled everyone....
Here's another pic of Eva..
Babbo
We're back!
Most regrettable that delay and all, but everything is fine. We are stretched very thin at the moment, and taking time to go to an internet cafe and play the blogger game is proving difficult. I am well aware there are some serious Eva fans out there spanning the globe, and am thoroughly thrilled to see everyones comments. Chime in please...I know some of you are quite witty, though tight lipped at the moment. Come on...
We are enjoying the benefits of La Nonna Anderberg, who has joined us in Florence for a couple weeks (though not seeing much outside of buses and the hospital) to take care of all the things mothers take care of...everything. We are grateful. Thank you Roger.
Babbo
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