The bumps along the way

As we look at our boys each day and watch them become healthier, gain weight and eat more, we become calm and think all is good.

Today that came crashing down. We arrived at the hospital at 11am this morning and began washing up. One of the doctors approached us and said Riley had a bad night. He was back on CPAP for his breathing and that he might have an infection. They were doing blood work and were going to take fluid from his spine.

Glenn had looked over when we first began washing up and said, "Oh, they are working on Riley", now the doctor had suggested that we go back and wait outside as they hadn't taken the spinal yet. We looked at each other, what choice do we have, we don't want to be in the way. So we waited.

The doctor came and explained that at about 5am Riley was having problems breathing. Which they call Apnea and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Apnea is another common health problem in premature babies. During an apnea spell, a baby stops breathing, the heart rate may decrease, and the skin may turn pale.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is a lung reaction to oxygen or a ventilator needed to treat a preemie with a lung infection, severe RDS, or extreme prematurity.

The doctor then suggested that we wait a little longer as they were starting Riley on the antibiotics for the infection.

Finally at 12:30 we got into see them. They were still fussing with Riley, so I started with Gavin. Nice surprise, he was awake and alert, and I spent sometime talking with him. We had picked up Super Dave in our travels, so Glenn and Dave were floating back and forth.

When I finally went to Riley, the tears started......how could my little boy who was so alert and squirmy last night be so pale and still? I kept my hand in his incubator until they had to take more bloodwork. When they were done, I stuck my hand right back in again. I really don't know if when he's sleeping he can tell it's me, I like to think so.

I was soon rewarded with Riley half opening his eyes. It was a struggle, but I'm glad that I was there to talk to him.

A nurse told me the other day that it wouldn't be a straight line up, that there would be good days and bad days, but when you watch them have 3 good days in a row, it's hard to believe there can be pitfalls.

So here is another pitfall, I know our pitfalls are temporary and others have larger obstacles to overcome, but at the time you help but think why me or why my little boy.

I was going to take pictures and post them today, but I think you will understand why you just have to wait one more day.

I think I'm going to go jump in a puddle.....will that make me feel better?