Short a couple of chickens

Well, we counted the eggs, and now have less chicks than we thought.

We thought something had been brewing and now it's definite that Amelia has pulmonary hypertension. Preemies with severe BPD often end up having it, so it's more of a surpise that it reared its ugly head later rather than sooner. Although serious in adults and likely maintained but incurable, many Neo DRs feel children like Amelia will be able to grow out of it as their lungs grow.. if in fact that's the underlying cause (it could a few other things, but for her it's the likely candidate).

I'll get into details later, as we still have another echo on Friday and maybe a cardio-cath, if the cardiologist agrees (many don't feel it necessary, and Amelia is stil a little small for the procedure, but borderline).

The end result is that going home Monday is definitely out. We're hoping, after a further disgnosis, that the treatment will get started and she'll be watched to make sure it's going fine, and then off we go. Still looking at before Xmas. So Xina and I are a disapointed, mainly at her new disease, but also at the delay. But it's still not far off.

She also will be weaned on Os slower than before, as higher oxygen levels helped combat the hypertension. As a result of that and the fact she's working a little harder today breathing, they've actually gone up to a LPM of 1 1/2 (she started at 3/4). She's sleeping peacefully after having an active morning. I get over how beautiful she is, but I guess all father's feel that.

More to come. Thanks for the good wishes. We're still expecting a wonderful Christmas.