Life in the NICU- Day 1

Rory's first full day of life had good moments and few not so good ones too. Here are a few updates on her condition:

* Surgery went very well and everything fit back in with minimal swelling...she finished surgery at 12:30am.

* The ventilator came out in the morning.

* When Brian and I were with her in the early afternoon she stopped breathing and turned purple. She would not respond or cry when the nurse tried to get her going again and finally they used the oxygen bag. It was hard to watch but it made me thankful for such wonderful nurses. The doctors think this was a side effect from her surgery anesthesia and possibly pain level. They watched her closely and had her on oxygen (through her nose) as well. We also started her on a regular dose of Tylenol to relieve some discomfort.

* We moved her drainage tube out of her mouth to her nose. I asked them to do this to help her breath easier if there is any swelling from the ventilator. She seems MUCH more comfortable.

* Brian was able to hold her for the first time last night!

* Once the surgery meds began to wear off she open her eyes and looked around for the first time last night...It was nice to see her do that.

* Her bladder does not seem to be working so they put in a catheter to relieve the extra pressure. The hope is that her bladder starts working after pressure and swelling from her intestines goes down...it is a lot of adjusting for just a tiny body!

* In the middle of the night she ripped our her oxygen tubes. Since she has been breathing well we left the tubes out. The nurse said she is "feisty" :-)

* The nurse had to give her Morphine at around 4am this morning because she seemed uncomfortable. She responded well and is resting and breathing good.

* Because she cannot process/pass anything yet she might become jaundice so they will continue to check her blood. Please pray that she wont have to be put under the lights because then she cannot be swaddled which is something that helps keep her comfortable.


That pretty much wraps up her first full day in the NICU. She is doing well but we have a long road ahead of us. Thank you so much for your prayers for little Rory!

I will post pictures later today :-)


PS- I'm doing well and will be discharged from the hospital later today. The plan is to begin our stay at the Ronald McDonald house if there is a room available for us.