Observations in the NICU - Sounds
When
I first moved from Eagan's first bed space to his second bed space on
the right-hand side of the NICU, I kept hearing this noise over and over
again. Initially, I thought it was a vending machine. I was a little
sleep-deprived when I had this thought obviously, because that would
have been a very large, heavy coke bottle. Actually, the noise comes
from the tube system. I didn't really figure this out until we moved
from the second bed space to the third location, the isolation room.
Now, I can literally see the tube system from my seat next to Eagan. It
is loud and frequently used. The tube system is used by the nurses to
send and receive bloodwork, labs, and medications.
"Whrr-woosh,
whrr-woosh," goes the ventilator. I quite like this noise. It is quiet
and means Eagan is breathing. Also, this means that the room around me
is quiet and that means Eagan is doing well. No one is working on him or
trying to figure out the plan.
Bing,
bing, bing. Not a fan of this sound. This is the alarm on his monitor
and could mean multiple things. His heart-rate, blood pressure, or
oxygen could be too high, or too low. This alarm sounds if the numbers
are just a little out of the norm. If the numbers get worse, the alarm
gets much louder and much faster and when I say loud, I mean really loud.
BING, BING, BING. You really don't want to hear this alarm. I have
heard it far too many times. It sounds for extreme bradycardias,
dangerously low or high blood pressure, and really, really low oxygen.
Beep,
beep, beep, bah-beep. Again, the ventilator makes this noise. It has a
bit of a rhythm to it and reminds me of a cell phone. It sounds for a
few million reasons, specifically pressure issues. I don't understand
why it alarms always. It can even be because Eagan has hiccups. Because I
do not know why or how it works, I do not like this noise at all.
Buh-bum,
buh-bum. One of his pumps off of his "Christmas tree" of pumps. This
means the pump has finished infusing the medication or is occluded.
Eagan has 12 pumps in his room. This sound is hear a lot!
This
doesn't include the crying! Right now there are so many babies that
cry. Eagan can't cry right now because he is intubated. When we first
got here, no babies cried on our side of the unit. Now, there are crying
babies all over. You can even listen and tell which ones just got rid
of their endo-tracheal tube because they sound very hoarse. It is a
little bittersweet to hear these babies cry. It is hard for me, because
my baby can't cry and I would give anything to hear him cry and be able
to pick him up to calm him down. It is awesome that those babies are
doing so well that they can cry and are here to cry. Many
of them fought just like Eagan and they are winning! It is sad that
parents can't always be with their babies to hold them and keep them
calm, or in a few cases are in the hospital, but chose not to be with
their baby for whatever reason. It just sucks. Babies should be happy,
healthy and at home, not making an orchestra of cries in the NICU.
This
list doesn't even include the constant phone ringing and chatter of
nurses and doctors. All of the machines from the other babies can be
heard in Eagan's room also. It is a little scary to hear an alarm go off
on another babies monitor, especially the really loud one that means
the baby is having an especially hard time with one of his vitals. I
will be very glad to go home with Eagan where I can hear the sounds of
my babies playing, laughing and being happy, healthy children.
Weight
Length
Breathing
June 2 - Transfusion #25
Weight
3 lbs 14 oz - Up a little, most likely due to more fluid in his lungs.
Length
16"
Breathing
Eagan
is on the conventional ventilator. His settings are at 20 breaths per
minute. His oxygen rate has been
around 25%. The pressure that the ventilator puts
in his lungs is at 24. Also, he has more fluid in his lungs so he is getting Atrovent
breathing treatments every six hours.
Vitals
Eagan's blood pressure was perfect today!
Eagan's blood pressure was perfect today!
Vein and Artery Access
Eagan has an internal jugular line that was placed in surgery. Only one of the two lumens is usable now.
The arterial line is in his head.
Eagan has an internal jugular line that was placed in surgery. Only one of the two lumens is usable now.
The arterial line is in his head.
Eagan has an IV in his head.
Medications
An antibiotic, Ancef, is given once a day.
Hydrocortisone, for blood pressure and stress response, is up to 3 mg.
His Morphine drip is up to .15 mg per hour.
Caffeine has been started as a diuretic to try to speed up his kidney function.
Caffeine has been started as a diuretic to try to speed up his kidney function.
He is also on Diflucan as a preventative measure.
Eagan also is back on the Synthroid for low thyroid.
Eagan also is back on the Synthroid for low thyroid.
Nutrition
Eagan's only sources of nutrition right now are his TPN fluids and lipis
Eagan's only sources of nutrition right now are his TPN fluids and lipis
Output
Lots of pee and a little poop today.
Transfusions
Upcoming Tests
Upper GI study on Monday to determine if the duodenum tear is closed and if feedings can be started. Eagan has not had any milk about a month. I am sure he will appreciate a full belly!
Another eye exam to check on the severity of his retinopathy of prematurity will be in a bit less than two weeks.
2 comments:
Stay strong momma....lots of prayers coming your way....July wte mom...
I admire u guys strength. I no how 2 maintain with 3 almost healthy children. I cdnt image bein n ur shoes. I hope the best 4 all of u guys. Luv u bunches...
Post a Comment