Echo cardiogram results...

Today, Cole had his follow-up echo and Olivia had her first echo. Cole's PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosis) has went from large to mild/moderate...a sign that the Indomethacin is working some. He is going to stay on the medicine for a few more days (1 dose every 12 hours) and then have a follow-up echo sometime later this week or next week depending on his symptoms. He will definitely have one before coming home. When I called tonight to check on the babies, I was told that our baby boy has graduated to a crib!!! YAY Cole! Graduating to a crib means that babies are able to maintain their own body temps. Unfortunately though, Cole and Olivia were separated. They are no longer next to each other as they are now on different sides of the room.

Olivia was diagnosed with a small PDA today. She is starting her first round of Indomethacin (also 1 dose every 12 hours) to close it. She had to have her IV restarted since the Indomethacin is given through the IV. She will have a follow-up echo prior to coming home to see if it has closed. The neonatalogists stated that they don't usually give the Indomethacin to babies with small PDA's as the small PDA usually closes on its own and is not usually a problem to the baby (i.e. baby is able to breathe while eating bottles). They are giving it to Olivia to ease our minds with hopes of it closing faster.

For information on PDA's, go to:


http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001560.htm

Both babies have also been diagnosed with Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO). The doctor's stated that this is a normal hole in the heart that is there while babies grow in the womb. For more information go to:


http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001113.htm


We are handling things as best as possible....George better than I. As of right now, we have not been told when to expect the babies home. Olivia continues to progress well on room air and in her big girl bed, while Cole is growing and eating, receiving some IV fluids, and oxygen via the nasal cannula.

Thanks for thinking of us doing this time!