January 16th, 2010

Kierson graduated from the critical care area of the NICU 4 days ago. She was showing steady improvement with her lungs and tolerating steady increases in her tube feedings. However, the very first day she was out in the general area of the NICU, her oxygen requirement began to slowly increase. She had been on 38% supplemental oxygen for about 4-5 days prior to the move, but now she was requiring 65%. This continues now, four days later. Her neonatologist states that this just happens sometimes. He states her chest xrays are unchanged (they still look bad).

Dietre continues to be able to go up multiple times a day to the NICU to visit Kierson. Some times she gets to hold her but other times Kierson is too cold to be taken out of her isolet. This has been real hard on Deitre who wants the best for Kierson, but really wants to continue bond with her.

Now that I am back in the ED this month, I have been asked to not come into the NICU unless I go home first, bathe and change clothes. Naturally, after I finally get home, I'm too tired to go back up to the hospital, so I try to see her before I start in the mornings.

Kierson continues to have intermittant heart rate drops. Overnight last night, she had 5 episodes. Today, she had four while Deitre was holding her. Two of the four drops required stimulation for her to rebound. These are naturally concerning for us to hear about and unsettling to witness. The CXR today showed pulmonary edema (extra fluid in the lungs). They are going to start her on some medications to help get this fluid out. We are hoping the medicines do the trick.

We sincerely thank you for your continued prayers and encouraging words.