Baby Bella Day 34

As Chris mentioned last night, we had some concerns at the close of the evening. We had noticed throughout yesterday and today that Bella's oxygen saturation was struggling and she was having "angry" episodes. Her vent settings changed again today. She is down to a rate of 34 breaths per minute and a pressure level of 18, which caused her oxygen percentage to sit in the low 30s all day. Susan was the Nurse Practitioner on duty so we asked before she left shift if she felt like Bella was doing okay. Reason being that Bella seemed tired. Susan reassured us that Bella is doing very well post-op and what Bella is going through is typical for being weened off the vent. As for feedings, they went better today; no large residuals at the beginning of the next feeds. They also started giving her milk every two hours instead of in three hour intervals. For the most part, she has handled that well. Luckily we were also in the waiting room when Dr. McGahren was heading out. He stopped by to mention that he thought her belly and stomas look good and continues to be pleased with her progress. Jessica, tonight's nurse, did say that her belly looks less bloated. Bella has passed a good amount into her ostemy today and continues to fill it with air. Before we wished our Princess good night, we noticed another one of her angry fits, so we mentioned it to Kelly, the night Nurse Practitioner. Kelly said it could be one of two things 1) she is starting to feel like a real baby and give attitude or 2) she isn't adjusted well to the fentnyl (pain medication) decrease. We pointed out all of Bella's characteristics when she gets mad as well as the fact that she keeps yawning. Instantly Kelly said that is a sign that she is having withdraws from the adjustments in pain medication. They are going to take a look at that tonight and see how she reacts.

[As a side note about Kelly, she made a good funny tonight: She and another doctor were rounding real quick on our Pod when their pagers went off to head upstairs to Labor & Delivery. Within 5 minutes they were walking back up to us. She strolled in saying, "Ah, it was a 36 weeker. They can deliver themselves and are ready for kindergarten!" These nurses and doctors deal with so many critical preemies that a baby that is a month early is completely healthy in their book.]

We had several visitors today as well. Bella had the pleasure of being introduced to Father David & Susan from St. Paul's Episcopal Church. We have been attending this church since arriving in Charlottesville and think the ministry is great. Father David is an amazing man and we are blessed to attend his services. Susan is one of the parishioners that does hospital visits and is an incredibly sweet woman. In addition, David & Jennifer stopped back by to see the Princess. They finished up their work in Virginia today and are heading back to Texas tomorrow. Once again we had a great visit. Oh, and they bought me burnt orange yarn to start my knitting project!

I want to thank Ellie for pointing us to this passage:

Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Peace & God Bless!!!!!