Special Mother's Day

A few weeks ago when I noticed Mother's Day was approaching I realized a logistical problem. I knew Jessica would be in Cincinnati based on my work schedule but I didn't like that Katelyn and Kenlee would be in Evansville. My solution was to load up and go there for the day but Jessica quickly reminded me of how the last one day trip was for the girls. Basically, the time we would be there would be the time they should be napping, which means not the best for having fun. She suggested meeting at Holiday World. The nurses commended Jessica for her doing that for her kids on Mother's Day but she had to testify that it was just as much for her. I took the girls to Church which was odd without Jessica on Mother's Day and Jessica spent the morning with Joanna and Rebecca. Coming from someone that dreads every trip to Holiday World, we had one of the best days ever. We all had an awesome time mostly because the crowd and weather was perfect. We rode several rides over and over without having to get off and Katelyn was happy to learn that she had grown enough over the winter to qualify for a few more rides. Granny Mary and Dave spent some time with Rebecca and Joanna while mom was away.  It was a special Mother's Day for Granny as she was able to hold Joanna for the first time. 

Here is what has been happening with the twins the last few days. I'll start with Rebecca. When checking her blood they found that her glucose was in the 20's and it is usually in the 60's. They increased her feeds which corrected her glucose and grew some cultures from her blood but resulted in nothing. Saturday was another one of those days where we just wonder what will be next. Jessica called me upset because while she had left the pod for Dr. rounds on the other babies, Rebecca had extubated herself again. She went in to see her and they were in the process of getting her re-intubated. It all went smoothly, but the whole event was pretty draining for her (Jessica). Today her heart rate has been pretty low so they are watching that. She had one of her PICC lines removed so her other one with her heart medicine is being shared for other fluid. Jessica related her heart rate decrease to about the same time they started sharing her single PICC. Could be a coincidence but they are going to just watch and see. Jessica noticed a couple of days ago that she looked swollen in her face and neck. She had a chest X-ray when they replaced her tube and it didn't show any fluid around the lungs.  It may just be a place where she is collecting some excess fluid but they will continue to watch it.  Also, her bilirubin level was high today which has them interested in the liver. She had a scan done of it tonight and the liver team is going to be looking at it tomorrow.

Joanna had her share of problems too Saturday. Her red blood cell count was low so they were considering another transfusion but that hasn't been necessary yet. The last 2 days she has been on room air 21% pretty much all the time and her sats have been in the 90's. Today she had her eye exam and it was very good. It was a Zone 2 Level 0. Because of her red blood cell count they are going to do another scan on her liver tomorrow to make sure the spot that they think is an hemangioma is not changing. She is also going to get another echocardiogram tomorrow to see if her ductus valve has changed.  She has started the process of getting out of her isolette and into a "big girl" bed.  As long as she keeps gaining weight and keep sher body temp up she will be moving soon.  With this "cot bedding" process she is able to wear clothes!