Chloe still has her lung problems, and is still next to a dashing young man, but, it seems that she is not interested in him right now. I still think we are rushing it a bit, but Cheryl, thanks that she should be learning a different language or two. She tells me that Dr. Suse speak is not a different language. Oh well, she knows best.
Day 16 (September 30, 2001), Chloe, is still having problems breathing, her oxygen assistance is 40%, but it seems to be getting better. Because of the Chloe is gaining weight, it just might be that her lungs need to grow in order to satisfy her body with the oxygen.
The doctors advance Chloe to 24 calorie formula inorder that she might gain weight.
Other than her lungs, Chloe is doing great.
Day 17, Chloe is doing well, with the one exception, that her Umbilical Arterial Catheter might have to be removed. The nurses tell us that it cannot be in all of the time, because of risk of infection. But currently, they feel the ability to monitor Chloe's blood pressure and give and take blood out ways the risk of infection.
Chloe, is now eating 14 ml of formula and is gaining weight (1 lb 10.5 oz). She is starting to develop buttocks, which is the only thing I saw that she was lacking.
Chloe's fingernails are growing and we will at some time need to clip them. I suggested to the nurse that we need to paint them -- but that did not go far.
Chloe's doctor (Doc Holliday -- not the one from Tombstone AZ fame), tried to see if she can breath on her own. So for two hours they let her breath without the CPAP. Chloe was very happy not to have the CPAP crammed up her nose, but her blood work revealed that she is not exchanging gases correctly. She is now backed on the CPAP. This test should not be considered as a major set back -- in light of everything God has put Chloe ahead of the preemie developmental curve -- so who can complained.
Day 18, Chloe has lost a little weight, but I told Cheryl, that it is all in how and when they weigh her, for example, us as adults weight will fluctuate a couple of pounds, depending upon timing (bathroom, feedings etc.).
The doctors have taken away Chloe's Umbilical Arterial Catheter, which means that she will have to pricked in the heel once a day for blood work. As a parent, this causes pain, but it is the right thing to do.
Her oxygen assistance level has dropped to 26%, which is very good. Those lungs are developing very well.
Day 19, Chloe is doing with the exception of her heel, which is where they draw her blood once a day for testing. Her heel is swollen but, when I watch the nurse take blood samples, Chloe was hardly squirming, which is remarkable considering that she is more active then resting.
Her oxygen intake is doing very well.
Her food intake is doing exceptionally well. She is eating it all, there was no residuals (undigested stuff) when we were there from her last meal. She has a smile during feeding time -- which is strange, because it bypasses here tongue -- then again it is hospital food which might be the reason she is smiling.
Day 20, Cheryl and I notice that her incubator's temperature is down from a few days ago, but yet her body temperature is constant. This means that she is generating heat and her body is starting to work on maintain a constant temperature. This is very good.
If Chloe was in the womb she would weigh over three pounds right now. The reason why she only weighs 1 lb 11 oz (her birth weight) right now is because the parts that she is developing would be develop later. Her lungs, and digestive system are required now for her very survival. They are needed more than growing fat and other things. Also, most of a baby's weight is water and at birth some of the excess is lost shortly after birth.