Week Eighteen

Monday: She isn't taking her feedings as well as we would like, so it appears the surgery will happen once she is 3 kilos. Her eyes get evaluated on Wednesday. That is something I keep forgetting to mention as a part of the "coming home" check list. Babies cannot be on 100% oxygen until their eyes are fully developed. Babies cannot come home on mixed oxygen. So...we have to also wait for Maddie's eyes to mature for her to come home too. She is now too big for preemie clothes, but is drowns in her newborn stuff.

Wednesday: We are waiting to her back from the optometrist on the development of Maddie's eyes. She is now 6 pounds 2 ounces.

Thursday: Maddie's eyes are fully mature. One thing down!

Friday: She is four months old.

Saturday: Today we bid farewell to one of Maddie's neighbors, Sophia. Her parents were able to take her home after being in the NICU for 8 weeks. We are very excited for them, and wish them all the very best.
We were told Maddie will be getting the surgery in the next ten days or so, and will be home a week or so after. There is an end in sight. She is now 6 pounds 8 ounces.

Sunday: Madelynn has been have reflux pretty severely again. The medical team think in addition to the gastronomy tube surgery she will also need nissen fundoplication surgery. This is when surgeons wrap the upper part of the stomach to the lower part of the esophagus. Here is a diagram. It prevents her from spitting up, burping, or vomiting. She will have this her whole life. If she gets the flu she will not be able to vomit. She is not allowed to have any carbonation. She will be able to eat solid foods, but has to make sure she chews it very well. It will make her feel full more quickly, and thus won't gain extra weight. Which is a good thing considering she has my genes. :o)
She got a visit from her grandma Myker today. Her grandpa Rick was sick, so he stayed out in the lobby. Other than the aforementioned items, there is nothing else to report.