still oscillating

Little Ella is still causing us extreme heartache.

She puffed up to lil' sumo Ella (eyes swollen shut, and belly stretched taught and shiney), but finally started to pee Thursday evening - 36 hours after surgery with the help of a diuretic. And the pee was huge - 50+ccs went around the catheter and overflowed her diaper onto the bed!

She continued to pee and her swelling has gone down gradually (now looks like big lil' Ella), but she has still required high pressure and oxygen settings to maintain her respiration. Contributing factors are her underdeveloped/damaged lung tissue (BPD condition), lots of extra fluid around her lungs, and a partially collapsed right lung.

Got a scary call on Saturday AM - Ella had a respiratory incident which they had a hard time getting her to recover from. We rushed in to the NICU and spent a long day at her side. Her potassium levels were also down due to all of her peeing - so they have increased her dosage in her daily IV feeding to keep this from happening again. At the end of the day, they turned her onto her right side to help with opening her lung.

Doctors predicted that she would probably continue needing the oscillator over the weekend, and probably into Monday, but it is difficult to watch. As of this morning (Sunday - I lose track...) oxygen settings are slightly lower, but she has been fighting the oscillator and tries to breathe on her own, so they increased her Morphine dosage.

The ups and downs wear mom's and dad's nerves thin, and patience is difficult. But we are still hopeful that she will pull through. Will keep you all posted...

Love - Bill Denise Ella T