It's amazing to me that I am finding all the files from the website back in 1998. I've changed computers at least six times over that time period. Just recently I saved the hard drives from all those computers onto my new 3TB drive. With a quick search of that drive, it's all here. At one point I thought I had a lot of data to back up...I'm using less than a 1/10 of the 3TB drive for 20 years worth of data. Also, I have to point out, that when I was writing this blog, Chris Z, or Zeus, had set up the blog through the service we were using for our company, SimSupport. Zeus showed me how to use the software to upload the blog content. Pretty clunky back then...posting now is easier than sending an email. Now onto Summer's second week of life.
Day 8 - February 14, 1998
Mom is now safely at home. She will have to take it easy as she ventures to and from the hospital to see Summer. Summers condition is stable. It is Valentines Day. One of Summer’s nurses prepares the Valentine with her foot prints. It is very special to us. The doctors have adjusted the jet ventilator up in pressure. This is to insure the air sacs in her left lung do not collapse. We have to just hope the increase in pressure does not continue to blow holes in her right lung. The medical staff begins to monitor Summer for activity in her gut. The numerous x-rays they have taken of her lungs have thus far indicated little to no activity in her digestive tract. If they are to begin feeding Summer they will have to see signs of activity.
Day 9 - Sunday February 15, 1998
We are steadily getting to know the routine and meet all of the nurses who are caring for Summer on a continual basis. The nurses inform us they are fighting over her to determine who will care for her on which day. It is hard to determine if they are serious or doing this for our mental benefit. Either way it does help a great deal to feel as if Summer is someone special, not just to us, but to the nurses who are providing her the continuous care she needs. The measures they are taking seem to be working. Her lung conditions are improving. The pressure settings on the ventilators have dropped. But not too much. They still need to keep the lungs inflated. We are traveling to the NICU around noon and staying for a few hours. Our routine seems to be, call first thing in the morning, visit with Summer during the day, then call in the evening before we go to bed. Mom is steadily pumping in order to prepare for the continual feedings that will soon be necessary. Summer is still showing no signs of a digestive tract that is ready for food.
Day 10 - Monday February 16, 1998
Today is a holiday. Dad has not started back to work yet. We call in the morning and visit Summer during the mid day. Summer seems to be conquering the battle with her lungs. The chest tube is still in although there seems to be little if any air escaping her lungs. Still no sign of intestinal activity.
Day 11 - Tuesday February 17, 1998
Dad goes back to work, although he gets very little done. He spends most of his time updating the people he works with. He is amazed at the outpouring of support. Many people have stories they relate to him. Mom checks in with Summer during the day and Dad stops by after work. Chest activity is back up. The doctors have to adjust Summer’s chest tube because some more air leaks in her right lung are detected. When is this chest problem going to end? Still no signs of intestinal activity. The Doc’s tell us not to worry. Premies often shunt blood from their less vital organs in time of stress - intestines being the least vital of organs for her at this time. They are confident feedings will begin soon nonetheless.
Day 12 - Wednesday February 18, 1998
Summer has a great day. They notice a small amount of air in her stomach which means feeding could begin soon. Her lungs seem stable although another change in her chest tube location is made just to insure the are getting all of the air. The Docs are now discussing the use of steriods to enhance her lung development. The draw back to steriods is that they will reduce her immune system. Steroids can only be used if Summer’s body is free from infection. They will begin testing soon.
Day 13 - Thursday February 19, 1998
Summer has a great day. Today they actually removed the chest tube. Her lungs are doing well and she is back on lower repirator settings. They take a culture from the chest tube, the artery catheter, and the endo trachea tube. They also send a blood and urine sample to the lab for culture tests. After 24 hours they will know if Summer is clean of infections so they can begin the steriod treatments.
Day 14 - Friday February 20, 1998
The culture that was taken from Summer’s umbilical artery shows signs of infection. They remove the umbilical artery catheter and send another sample to the lab for a culture. All other cultures com back negative. They sense from Summer’s condition that no infection is present but they have to be sure before they begin giving her steriods. We will have to wait another 24 hours in order to assess what will happen.
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