Update on Ellie

[PebblesUK]

Hello everyone

I hope you are all great. We haven't really had a smooth time since Ellie came home - surprise surprise.

She came home on the Monday (she's still oxygen dependant) but was re-admitted on the Wednesday morning with breathing difficulties and not feeding. She slept for 24 hours and was tube feed and woke up screaming for food! They gave her some saline drops and just said she had a cold and was using all her energy on breathing and not feeding. She was discharged on the Friday.

She's been sniffly ever since she's been home and I've been putting saline drops up her nose like there's no tomorrow but it doesn't seem to have cleared it. Tuesday night she was grunting lots and struggling again to breathe. I don't turn the light on for the night time feeds and do it by the landing light.

We got to A&E and she was rushed straight through to resus. They laid her on the table and she was completely grey and lifeless, they gave her adrenaline, put her straight back on CPAP and the crash team were called. The ventaliator was run in too but thankfully her blood gases improved slightly so she didn't need it.

She's since had another blood transfusion (her 11th), we are waiting the results of the bloods taken on Wednesday morning (they take 48 hours to grow things on). She's off CPAP for a few hours to see how she goes. They have run out of veins so are going into her head. She's starving as she's been nil by mouth. They've started her on 5mls of milk an hour. I think she is going to eat her dummy whole soon!

It is all so hard. It really isn't supposed to be like this. I'm starting to struggle a little now with it all. The good news is she's now 5lb 4oz!

I hope you are all ok.

Take care

Jo
xxx

[Zed2003]

Oh Jo,

No, it is not supposed to be like this, but wee Ellie is fighting hard - in the same way you are. It's no wonder you are beginning to find things taking their toll - you're having to deal with so much and emotionally it must be so draining for you. It must be encouraging to see her hungry though - it shows she's willing, just perhaps not able just yet.

These are hiccups, my friend - all be it big ones. I'm sure in a few months you will be wondering how you coped and it will all start to fade into a distant memory as new, happy and fun memories will take over.

You must talk to someone about how you feel and make sure you don't bottle things up. You have to make sure that you keep yourself strong and healthy for that wee girl of yours. You are important too, so don't forget about yourself...

Take care and know that we are all thinking about you.
Zoe x

[kholtan]

I agree with everything Zoe said! I cannot imagine how hard this is for you but just keeping pushing through. Not everyday will be the best day and once she makes it past all these hurdles things will be so much better.

I am so sorry for your struggle and Ellie's. You are two very tough girls! I will be keeping you all in my prayers. Keep strong and vent on here all you would like. That is what we are here for. Take care of yourselves.
Sending major hugs your way!!!!!!

Kimberly

[JustinesBaby]

*

[kdc2006]

hi jo...

thats a shame things seem to have taken a step back but im sure once she gets over this little hurdle the road ahead will be smoother... she is a wee fighter and that is just going to make her stronger....

hope everythings improves soon...

take care
love kareenxxx

[DolceVita]

Jo,

Im so sorry to hear about Ellies little bump on the road, but like everyone here has mentioned shes a little fighter and im sure this will be just another little thing she overcomes, if you dont mind i will include her name in our prayer group... i wish for her health and happiness and for you my dear Jo patience and serenity, only one who has been through the NICU roller coaster can actually understand how difficult it is to watch your little baby in the incubators... i really will pray for the both of you. I hope next time i have a chance to log in i will read great news on her.
Wishing you good luck

Vita

[PebblesUK]

Hello,

Thank you all for your kind words. It's lovely to hear from you all.

Ellie's doing much better and will hopefully be home tomorrow. I was a bit concerned about her breathing today so are waiting for the doctors to do a blood gas on her before we bring her home. We want her in tip top condition! If she has to be admitted again she will be going to the children's ward not SCBU.

Ellie weighed in on Thursday night a massive 5lb 10oz!

I'm feeling a little better although Paul kicked Hannah out 8 days ago but that's another story for another time!

I think we should start a thread on parents after treatment. If I think of a name I'll start one, if not, one of you can! lol

Take care and I hope all your babies are behaving themselves. Vita where are those piccies???

Lots of love

Jo
xxxx

[teachertam]

Jo:

I'm so glad to hear that Ellie is doing better and may be able to go home today. I'm so glad to hear that she is getting her weight up also.

I agree that we need to start a thread on the "Parents after Treatment" site. I can't think of anything except, "Winter Babies - 2007". I believe that all of us 2nd Trimester ladies gave birth during the winter of 2007.

Andrew has the stomach flu. I don't know how he got the flu, as we have been keeping him in and away from sick people. He had diarrhea and gas. He wants to eat constantly!!! Yesterday, I fed him 23 times. He is wearing me out. We took him to the Dr. on Friday and he weighed 10 lbs. I couldn't believe it.

Take care,
Tammy