Mason and Maddox Update

Hey everyone, 

The boys test results came back and it looks like Mason is anemic and Maddox is anemic has acid reflux and apnea. All of these things will get fixed with time. Here is information on Apea in premature infants 

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/lungs/aop.html

As the article states, apnea in preemies born before 35 weeks is almost expected. It is not uncommon for the babies heart rate to drop for 15-20 seconds when they sleep. Once the infant gets passed apnea it does not return, but it is very scary when it is happening.  To manage the apnea Maddox will receive caffeine orally and  this will stimulate him enough to not happen. This will remind his brain to continue breathing.  

Acid reflux wil be managed by zantac and should go away on its own.  

The anemia that both boys have pretty much means that they lack red blood cells. The red blood cells carry oxygen and this is the reason their o2 is dropping.  They are recieving injections to boost the red blood cells and they will have blood drawn again on Sunday to see if the red blood cells have increased. If the medicine does not work they will recieve a blood transfusion.  That sounds pretty scary, but the doctor said almost all babies in the NICU recieve a blood transfusion at one point or another. She said our boys are in the minority that they have not needed one already. 

With all that said, it sounds scary, but these are all pretty common in the preemie world and they will all correct themselves with time. Mason,  if the meds work and he shows no more signs of Bradycardia, could come home next week. Maddox might be there for a couple more weeks, but might come home sooner on a monitor.  We will def keep you all in the loop. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers... As of last night, the boys are 5 pounds 2 and 5 pounds 3 oz :)

Pic 1- Mason

Pic 2- Maddox

Thank you,

shannon and Mike

The Ups and downs...

Hi everyone, 

Unfortunately, the morning Mason was supposed to come home he had an episode of bradycardia and the doctors said he would not be able to come home :(. He along with Maddox had a few more over the weekend and they both are having a test done tomorrow to see what is causing the heart rate drops etc. We are thinking that this could be acid reflux, but wont know for sure. Emotionally I have been doing very well; but, today was a tough day. Not just because of having two babies in the NICU but I woke up to my left breast really engorged and lumpy.  From 7am-11:30 am I took 3 showers, endless heat compresses and massaging.  After I searched website after website I saw what I think was a small white blister and some breastfeeding sites said to pop it with a sterile needle and when I did that milk started to drip out. I did get about 3oz on that side, but since then it has been 1 or 2 oz every time i pump.  I did learn that I was pumping 2-3 hours from the time I END the last pump and was told by the LC that I should be pumping 2-3 hours from the START of the LAST pump..ugh...this is exhausting! I know it is the right thing for my boys so I will do what I can to get them this milk, but I am going to be in for a rude awakening when they come home and I am attached to the pump and trying to care for both of them. Pray that I will figure it out PLEASE!!!!

We went to the NICU today and they are just so beautiful!! Every time I looked at them today I would start crying.  I know they are in the right place and they are getting the care they need, but I just hate leaving them every night. I know they don't know that I am not there 24/7, but my heart just hurts so bad. I just want to kiss them and cuddle them all day and night. They have such cute chunky cheeks and their facial expressions are adorable. I still can't believe they are mine.  i feel like I just go and visit somebody else's babies every day. I hope that whatever is keeping them there is something that clears up on their own with time and they will come home perfectly healthy little munchkins :)

At this point, Maddox is just about 5pounds and Mason is 4 pounds 12 oz ;) such big boys!!

Thank you for keeping up with us!!

shannon