81 Days

Today Gabby is 81 days old..which means we have spent 81 days in the NICU!! We are pretty much feeling like this is our home now. Leaning on the medical staff is a daily occurance for us. This week started out not the best for Miss Peanut. After her weekly eye exam on wednesday the doctor decieded it was time to do laser eye surgery on both of her eyes. Gabby has ROP,
Retinopathy of prematurity, an eye disease that affects preemies. We are told it is to be caused by disorganized growth of retinal blood vessels which can lead to blindness.
Gabby does not handle the eye exam very well and did not enjoy the surgery! During her surgery, while eating lunch a code blue went off for the procedure room in which she was at. Immidiately mine and Tims heart sank to our feet. Next to running in the room myself I went to her room when her nurse came in and said she was fine just went apenic (stopped breathing) and was fine now. Leading up to the surgery Gabby had been doing little episodes of this. The surgery was just too much for her. As when she returned her body temp dropped and preceeded on going apenic several several more times and throughout the night. I can now say that I know what my daughter looks like blue.
 Next to being reintubated the doctors gave one last shot at putting her on a lower level of repiratory her reg. cpap. I must say I had no faith at the time this was going to work! But it turns out when you go to medical school chances are you know what you are doing..! It worked! She began to come around and her oxygen requirement went down.
 Now infection has been ruled out and she has been placed on a continued dose of hydrocortisone and Gabby is back to herself!!! The ups and downs are begining to weigh on Tim and I and for that we ask prayer. Sometimes it is such a helpless feeling you dont know where to begin.  The good days lately have outweighed the bad and she is growing and her strength is unbelieveable! This is all thanks to God's healing hand through your amazing prayers. please please keep them coming.
Today Gabby had 2 very large milestones.. Aunt Sarah held her for the first time, and she offically weighs 4 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lots of Love,

Tiffany, Tim & Gabby

Pray

Please keep Gabby in your prayers, she unexpectedley had to have Laser Eye surgery. When setting up she decided to stop breathing and go apneic. She is out of surgery and did NOT have to be put on the vent (thank GOD). The eye surgery went well.

Due to the sudden change in Gabby's disposition  and brachycardia's (dropping heart rate) blood work is being drawn up. It will be a waiting game for the next several days to eliminate the possibility of infection.

Please keep her in your prayers.

Tiffany, Timothy&Gabby

Holding on ..

Proverbs 3:5–6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart 

 And do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

And He will make your paths straight

*Holding on to this today. *

Today hasn't been the best and hasn't been the worse by all means. This whole experience begins to play with your emotions, the "NICU Roller Coaster" continues..

Please keep lifting Gabby up through prayer, God has worked/working one amazing miracle on our little girl!

Thank you.

Tiff, Tim & Gabby

Reflux

Reflux is the new term we are hearing in the NICU these days. Her full feeds of formula started at the end of  last week and within less than 24 hrs she began dropping her heart rate. The thought is that it is reflux and a "typical" preemie reponse. Just horrible to watch her bring it back up and then drop her heart rate needing stimulation to get to come around. Please keep her in your prayers. They are going to try to thicken the formula ather next feed. Trying not to blame myself for not having breast milk has been hard the last few days.  All around she needs everyones prayers and positive thoughts to continue as she adjust to some big changes.