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Thursday, June 29, 2006

Kaitlyn's 6 months NICU follow up

Kaitlyn had her first follow-up from the NICU. This is an evaluation 6 months (after her due date not her birth date). We still have to go back for the developmental part of the follow-up. As I was at the hospital for 4 hours yesterday, where we saw: Neurologist, EI specialist (Jan who comes to our home every few weeks), Social Worker, Nurse Practicioner.

I also ran around getting a urine sample from Kaitlyn to rule out a UTI infection - as her ped is trying to rule out any reason why she's vomiting so much lately. You may ask, how do you get urine from a baby? Well, you clean the "area" very well, and dry it, then attach a sticky bag, put her diaper back on and wait. I had to run to the hospital for her NICU follow-up, so when I was there, I had to unstick the bag to later take to the lab (she doesn't have an infection). And of course she vomited throughout this whole ordeal of running around. Well not throughout, just one very large vomit and one small spit-up.

The best news is that Kaitlyn was basically "cleared" by the Neuroloigst for neurological diseases like Cerebral Palsey (CP). This is a REALLY big deal. Now we figured she was probably out of the danger zone, but it was really nice to hear it officially. CP is a very common disease for preemies, primarily when they were without oxygen.

a rare time that Kaitlyn is actually looking at me - and watching me eat some tuna fish!! Maybe she'll get the idea! She just started putting her head to the side while on her tummy and can now lay like this for a period of time (whereas she used to get pissed off after a while).

A Steelers picture for Uncle Wayne in Pittsburgh! Thanks Uncle Wayne!!!

Dad holding Kaitlyn like a football. She's wearing the cute new onsie that Lisa M just sent! Thank you Lisa!!!! It fits perfectly!

She looks comfortable

Is this a laundry basket? Yes, I had to show what my life has been like lately. This is from ONE day of vomit cleaning. ONE DAY!!!! This is what we have to do day after day after day after day after day. You get the point.

12 comments:

Amy said...

AWESOME news about the neurological exam. You can at least breathe a sigh of relief on that.

hallegracesmama said...

Great news about the neuro exam! And I'm SO with you on the laundry!!! Halle is in a huge vomit phase again, even during the night. We don't have a clue why it fluctuates. Days like these I wish she had the fundo!

Shannon said...

That is fantastic news about the exam! Woooo!! What a huge relief! I hope they can get the vomiting issue figured out as well. D spit up a lot, but nothing like what you guys are experiencing.

Kaitlyn is looking absolutely gorgeous in the photos. She is such a cutie!

Stacy said...

What awesome news on the CP exam. Yay, Kaitlyn!

I forgot that infections can make you throw up. Tanner did that one time with an ear infection. Cleared up the infection - and he quit vomitting.

Best of luck on getting some answers (and hopefully an easy solution!)

Tonya said...

That is great news about the neuro exam.. that is a big deal! Kaitlyn look so adorable in the pics and I love the one of the two of you :) So sweet...

I can so relate to the basket only we would have over 2 of them in one day.. it was so horrible I hate to even think about it.. im just so glad that we found out why.. and had the surgery for the obstruction.

I sure hope they find out why Kaitlyn is doing all this vomiting so you can hopefully have it fixed!

Becci said...

Oh my! You must have to do a LOT of laundry.

Anonymous said...

Great news about the neuro exam!!! I know how frustrating the vomiting can be. One of my twins; Lucas had severe reflux for 16 months and even now at 2 1/2 he still has Gerd issues and difficulty eating (He has a paralyzed cord as well, from traumatic intebation. It's fixed (open) and fibrous) I hope you can get some definite answers very soon on the cause of her vomiting! Kaitlyn is so sweet and beautiful in her pictures :)

Anonymous said...

Great news! We area glad to have another Steeler fan! I am anxious for Kaityln to meet Thomas! Nancy

KMW said...

Hi: Just read through all of your archives (good bedrest activity). I can't believe all you have been through. I could relate to some of it, I delivered my twin girls on September 14 in San Francisco. Weird to think we were both going through traumas at nearly the same time. They were only 19 weeks, but some of the twin grief you experienced still feels achingly familiat It is fun to also know the area where you live--so many blogs are from far away. Seems like you and your family are doing a wonderful job managing some of the hardest challenges. So good to hear about the neurological exam! Best wishes for continued positive development!

Maggie (Sarah's mom) said...

Great news about the neuro exam!!!! Woo hoo!!!

What a cute Steeler fan!

sarah said...

Kaitlyn is beautiful! I just found your blog (thanks for posting on mine). What wonderful news about the exam! :-)

I plan on going back and reading your entire story when I have the time, so that would be when my 2 month old leaves for college (what an amazingly strong woman you are--I feel like a big wimp for complaining about a bit of colic!)

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