a step (or three) back

It was a rough day. Caley had a blood transfusion to start her day because her hematocrit (red blood cell count) was dangerously low. She'll probably have another one tonight to get that level back where the doctors want it to be. The concern is that she may have a bleed somewhere - into her brain or lungs - causing the low hematocrit level. Or it could be nothing. We just don't know at this point.

Caley also was being a preemie, and kept forgetting to breathe today. The doctor called them apnea bradycardia spells - her heart rate, blood oxygen level, and respirations would all drop quickly and simultaneously. It happened four times while Marie was at the hospital this afternoon, and it was extremely stressful, as you might imagine. Dr. Parker has increased Caley's caffeine dose to see if that will help her, before exploring other options. But it's possible this could lead her to be back on the ventilator. (By the way, did you know that most preemies are given caffeine because it acts as a stimulant that helps them keep breathing?)

Caley's belly also was very gassy today, so they stopped feeding her any milk until that resolves. She already was doing better on that front by this evening, but it's a step back in the feeding arena. And finally, Caley was showing off her determined little personality this evening, and kept pulling the nasal cannula out of her nose, causing her blood oxygen levels to drop because she just wasn't getting the oxygen.

We've had better days. Please keep praying for our sweet little girl.