Sunday, July 27

Erin loves her Mommy!



"What in the world are you doing to me, Dad?"

Waving to the paparazzi!

Happiness is a binky in Mommy's arms.


One of Erin's and our favorite nurses, Sarah.


The most comfortable spot in Erin's world.


I took a break from writing yesterday, and we just enjoyed Erin all day long. The latest isn't any better.

On early Friday evening, Robin was finally able to sit down with us to discuss the brain ultrasound that they were concerned with. There is a spot on the left side of her brain that has them concerned. Robin tried to caution us that it there was no need for alarm, and that we needed to wait until an MRI was done until we knew whether to be worried or not. I personally thought while this piece of advice was well intentioned, it was unrealistic. How could we not worry? The MRI will be done on Monday. I asked about the range of possibilities for the spot. Robin thought it might show a small hemorrhage that could have occurred during the birthing process, or it could be a spot that isn't getting enough oxygen. It is in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement. She again emphasized that we shouldn't worry until we get the results, so we wait for the MRI.

Her sat's yesterday were actually pretty good all day long, in fact the best they have been in several days. This was in spite of having her oxygen flow reduced to 1, which meant that she was only getting somewhere around 26 - 27% oxygen, compared to normal room air of 21%. She was awake and alert most of the day, and we had a great time playing with her. Every day she interacts a little more.

As we were getting out of the car today in the parking garage, Sheila remarked that perhaps a miracle was taking place and she wouldn't need surgery. That miracle proved to be short-lived, as upon arrival her day nurse (someone we have never met) immediately informed us that her sats during the evening were fair at best, usually in the low 70's. They were in the upper 70's at the time of the conversation. No miracle.

Tomorrow afternoon is the weekly cardiac conference, where all of the attending neonatologists, cardiac docs, and surgeons meet to discuss surgery options. Erin's case will be presented, and surgery will be scheduled for as soon as reasonably possible. As for the MRI, we probably won't know anything until Tuesday.