Happy American Thanksgiving everyone! I know, the majority of people reading this are Canadians, but to our friends and family down south, I hope today found you surrounded by friends and family.
Lauren's doing very well, but I misunderstood when we were coming home. We have a tentative going home date of Dec 6 (which not only would be Lauren's 3 month birthday, but my parent's anniversary as well). Lauren just has to put on some more weight (for once, I'm hoping she can get that from me!), and this weekend, Rita and I should have Lauren in our care for 48 hours in what is called the "Care by Parent" part of the hospital. Really, it's just an offshoot of the Neonatal Nursery where there's also beds for moms and dads and they get to take care of their little one, which still having the safety of having the nursing staff readily available if need be. It'll be a little test run to see if Rita and I have any questions, concerns, and if we're able to handle it. I have NO doubt in Rita's ability. As I have mentioned in previous entries, Rita is an inspiration to not only the people who see her working with Lauren, but she should go down in the text books as an example of a mom who's going the distance. Not that I'm shooting down my own abilities, as I know I've stepped up to bat and made good contact. Now, we're just looking for that "home run" if you will!
Lauren will be getting a muscle biopsy tomorrow to try to assist in determing what the underlying cause of her low muscle tone is. We will be expecting indepth results within about 3 weeks, so stay tuned. The actual biopsy will only require 1 stitch when all is said and done, and the tiny piece of muscle will be taken from one of her legs. She will be slightly sedated, but should be back to her normal self within a couple of hours.
ALSO...Lauren's been having keeping her food down since it was getting fortified. She was placed on an anti reflux medication, but continued to bring food back up. Both Rita and I expressed our concern and desire to have Lauren taken off the fortification, who's purpose was to add calories so Lauren can gain weight more rapidly. Well, it doens't exactly have an effect when her body acts as a revolving door for the milk. It has now been decided for Lauren to go back onto just EBM (expressed breast milk), and during my visit with her tonight, she was feeding and she usually brings the milk back up either just at the end or shortly after feeding). Not a drop came back up! I think we're onto a good road here!!! You have NO idea how happy this makes me!
The generosity Rita and I are receiving (well, and Lauren too, really!), is never ending. Thank you to everyone who is sending along little gifts and notes and cards, and thoughts, love, prayers...it's all so very wonderful and helpful. We appreciate everything you're doing for us, and REALLY look forward to having you all meet Lauren. She's such a tough little cookie!
Well, it's now 12:30am, and I should hit the hay. I've been going since 7am this morning, and Rita and I have to get up early to go over for the muscle biopsy, then meet with Rose Francis at McMaster about G-tubes (or feeding tubes for those of you who have yet to learn the lingo). Then I work until 9pm. I take my coffees double double. And I might be taking a couple of them tomorrow!
God bless all of you, and as always, thank you for your thoughts, support, love and prayers.
