Through the wall and around the corner



Cary holding Hanna



Many of you know that I enjoy running. From 10k's, marathons, and even 50 mile ultra's, running is great exercise and really calms the mind.

If you have ever run a marathon, then you know about "the wall"; Somewhere between miles 17-20, after you've been out there for awhile, your legs start to tire, as does your mind, and you hit it. That's when the real suffering begins; your legs say I don't feel like doing this anymore, despite what your brain says. You start having doubts, despite how hard you've trained. Time slows down, and you wonder why you're putting yourself through this ordeal.



On a good day, you can run through the wall, and after suffering for a few miles, you can get past it and finish strong.

Hanna



Today at the NICU, we ran right through the wall...... and finally turned the corner.....

The race is far from over, but we got some very positive news and it feels like there light at the end of the tunnel. It was a milestone type of day, where everything seems to trending positively and we actually may take home 2 healthy girls!!!!!!!!

 It was one of the best days we have had in the NICU since we started this journey!



Hanna:

Hanna crossed a big threshold today as she crossed the 4 LB mark! 4lbs and 1 oz....She is gaining very steadily now, around 1.5 to 2 oz a day.....She is really to starting to look like a "real" baby, instead of a preemie...She's filling out, her head is growing alot, and she is putting a little fat on her once scrawny legs. All good.



Hanna eyes open



She has entered the "feeder/grower" stage now, and just needs to concentrate on growing and learning how to suck on mom's boob. Once she can figure out how to suck, she can likely think about coming home....Probably still 3 weeks away or so, but the reality that it might actually happen hit today. Awesome.

The only bad news we got is that her previously seen brain bleed has not completely resolved but is "resolving". They said its small anyway, and is nothing to be concerned about. A few weeks ago I would  probably be freaking out over something like this, but they seem clear that its not bad. So, I'm not worrying about it.



Ashlyn:

The real good news.....She is was extubated 2 days ago, and is back on her C-PAP "rhinoceros" air. Her lungs seem to be clearing, and her oxygen requirements are going down. Her possible infection never materialized, and they are going to finish out the anti-biotic treatment for the next 2 days and then be done. They are increasing her feeds slowly, and going to be removing her surgery staples late this week.

More importantly, she looks GOOD. She had her eyes open today, and seemed alert and responsive. Poor girl has been on Fentanyl, a heavy barbituarte for pain, on and off for most of her young 34 day life. Its good she is off it, hopefully for good. She's awake, and looking around. She is noticeably smaller than her sister, but hopefully she can catch up.



All in all, a great today and we are filled with alot of hope. Hope that the girls will OK, and hope that one day we will bring the ladies home. Day 34 in the NICU was good!