Update: Day 10

So it was a busy day in the NICU for Maggie. Unfortunately the preliminary results showed the PDA as still being open, we are hoping the ECHO technician misread it, but the Cardiologist (from Childrens') will review the results either later tonight or early tomorrow before charting the next plan of attack which will either be a course of indocin (indomethicin?) or straight to the more surgical ligation. Before you freak, it is NOT heart surgery. It is near to the heart sure, but the incision is made between the ribs and is done pretty effortlessly (so we're told). The people at Childrens' consider this a routine thing, so if this is the next course of action I am confident they will do a good job.

Maggie also started off the day a bit anemic, this ain't no thing and she was given a bit more blood. Infant blood transfusions are a necessary evil at this stage, but here are some things you should know. Since Maggie is so small, she can get several series of transfusions from the same donor which is pretty important in the grand scheme of things; an adult may be exposed to several different donors depending on the size of the transfusion. Also, blood being donated to babies is screened for more items than if it were for an adult (why don't they screen as tough for adults I don't know) and the blood is also radiated to make sure nothing bad gets in there. For those wondering why I am not up on the table donating my blood like they do on TV, well as I mentioned it takes a lengthy screening process before the blood can be approved and if you want to donate to a specific person there are all sorts of hoops you have to jump through, the nurses did not recommend I do this when we offered. That being said, the Red Cross is always looking for donors, especially from you rare blood types!! It might not go to Maggie, but it can go to someone else who needs it.

Maggie also had an ultrasound of her head and everything is looking good.

Now for a bit of great news, Sue got to hold Maggie today. The nurses got to lie Maggie on Sue's chest (it's called Kangarooing) for a bit. Apparently kangarooing is very therapeutic for the baby and helps with their respiration. I, of course, missed out because I was at work, like a sucker.

Finally, I 'd like to throw out a general thank you for all the day care and pediatrician suggestions I have received today. Maybe this internet thing will catch on after all. We really do appreciate the suggestions, now we just have to start making appointments.