Little Diva and Super Cooper

Let me preface this by saying that we still consider today a good day overall.   However, Kinley seems to want ALL the attention!  We got Kinley's heart ultrasound results back and it showed that she does still have PDA or an open duct.  They are going to try 2 more doses of the indomethacin.  There is usually about a 60% chance of this medication working, and our doctor thought it would be worth a try since she handled the first 3 doses ok.  If the medicine does not work, we have 2 options.  They will either wait it out a little longer to see if it closes, or consider surgically closing it.  Of course it sounds very scary to talk about any sort of heart surgery on our sweet baby girl who is not even 2 pounds, but we have been assured that this is a very common procedure.  The procedure itself is not considered open heart and can actually be done at her bedside.  They kind of just change our room into a mini-OR.  Optimally, Kinley's duct will close on it's own and we will not have to consider the surgery, but if we do, we know again that we are in the best hands.  Otherwise, Kinley had another good and fairly quiet day.  


Cooper is still hanging out and doing well.  He tolerated increased feedings and has not had to have an IV or PICC line in because he is getting plenty of fluids from the breast milk.  The doctors and nurses have told us since the beginning that usually, girls do better than boys in the NICU, but Cooper is determined to prove them wrong!  We are proud of him for staying so strong and are cheering him on to keep going and growing!!


I am always thanking God for each day we make it through another NICU day.  It is so easy to become overwhelmed, anxious, and sometimes even feel sorry for yourself (why me?, why my babies?), but in the grand scheme of things our babies are looking great!  Today they had to move the baby next door to us to the west tower.  Of course, we do not know his name or his story, but we do know that babies are moved to the west tower because of a chronic conditions, or the need for a big surgical procedure.  It certainly reminded to be grateful that so far, big picture wise, Cooper and Kinley are doing well.  One doctor even told me today, "I know for you these babies are small, but for us they are big!"  Our goal is to remain as boring as possible to all of the doctors!  So as we thank God for another good day and pray for Kinley's duct to close, we will also pray for the sweet baby next door, and all of our other neighbors in the NICU who we may not know, but still care so much about.