What is today?

Ken and I have been busy trying to go see the boys, get some rest, pumping, and trying to do many other things. It seems the days are all running together. We keep saying "we will do this and this today and update the blog today" but today always seems to run out before we have time to do those things!! Here is the latest updates on the boys:

Jack--He should be getting a PICC line (long term I.V.) in the next couple days. Once the PICC is in, the umbilical line will be discontinued. Jack will then get to start on feedings. Jack had an echo-cardiogram today (checking heart structure and functions) just to make sure everything looked okay. The results are not in yet. He is doing good on the ventilator and being slowly being weaned down as he tolerates it. It is a constant adjustment and some days he has to go up but he is doing pretty good and has gone down more than up. The doctor said they are in no rush to take them off the ventilator. They like to take it slow and give their lungs a good chance to develop. Jack likes to throw temper tantrums at least once a shift--usually after he has been suctioned (clearing out his mouth when it gets too wet or full of bubbles) or a diaper change. He gets so mad and arches his back, thrashes his arm and legs, and about comes off the bed!! If he doesn't calm down with hand containment, he usually earns a little extra sedation. Yesterday he got the hiccups and had them again twice today. They are almost painful to watch because they are the deep kind and they make his squirm. He received some blood last night but otherwise his labs have been good.

Luke--He will be getting a PICC line also but it might be later in the week. They want him to be a little more stable before doing it. Luke had an echo-cardiogram on Saturday that was completely normal!! They started Luke on respiratory treatments yesterday because his lungs are still cloudy and need to clear up. He is doing good on the ventilator but he is moving a little slower than Jack. Last night was really the first night that Luke showed out for us. When got there in the evening shift, he was squirming and thrashing around. After 5-10minutes and not calming down, he got extra sedation to calm him down. Today he was still moving a lot more so I guess he rested the first couple days and now he is going to start showing that he can be just as feisty as his brother! Luke's labs continue to be a little off. He got blood and platelets last night. His white blood cell count is starting to come back up (it had gotten a little low). One issue is that his liver and kidneys are still trying to recover from working so hard before birth. There isn't anything too bad but they are just not normal. The doctor said that all he needs right now is a little time and they should clear up.

Both boys are getting their head ultrasounds on Thursday. We are nervous about that and praying that they are both normal. The doctor yesterday talked to us about Luke and Jack. He said that Luke is presenting like a classic twin-to-twin transfusion baby. The 3 systems that are affected (lungs, kidneys, and liver) all indicate that they had some kind of vascular connection that caused Luke to work harder. Dr. C was very sure that they did not have the transfusion syndrome because they never presented in the typical way--amniotic levels being different and Luke always had fluid in the bladder and stomach (usually the smaller baby doesn't make urine and amniotic levels are really low). But we knew something was wrong! We will have to wait until the placental studies come back to know anything definate. The babies doctor also said that Luke is very lucky to be here. Again that is an affirmation that we did the right thing.

Ken and I also have done a lot of praying and have decided to keep the boys at Baptist. We have been so happy with their care and love the nurses and doctors. The boys are happy and settled into their environment. They have their own room together and it is private for Ken and I. We are afraid that moving them could cause more damage than good and we are not willing to risk that. Ken and I made that decision and the next day told both of our parents. They were all immediately relieved because they had been talking behind our back that they wished we would leave them at Baptist too! It made us again feel that we were doing the right thing.

We are praising God for allowing both our boys to be here and that they are doing so well. We are still praying because they have many obstacles to overcome. We know God's hand has been on all of our lives every step of the way. Please pray for their head ultrasounds on Thursday and that they will not have any brain bleeds. Thanks you so much for your support, emails, phone calls, visits, and especially for all the PRAYERS!! We have felt the power of them since the start and are very thankful.