Write a list hun, that's what I do.. Even if it meant I had to ask the nurse about 50 times because for some reason the name of some meds just wouldn't stick..

Jett was on: Gentamicin, meropenem, metroniadazole (flagyl), ampicillin, fluclox

He wasn't on all of them at the same time, but he was on 3 at a time when he was having all his gut issues.. The worst part is, because the AB's are tough on their veins the IV's tissue.. Jett ended up having a 2nd central line just for AB's.. If Amelia is just on a normal course though she should be ok..

Now Jett's meds have been cut down, he is now on: Frudemide, lipids, caffeine, Morphine and medazalam (M&M's lol) and his TPN.

My biggest tip (not that you want advice lol) Always have EBM, available so if she has to have an IV or something put in she can have that for pain relief instead of sucrose. Sucrose CAN (doesn't always) affect their blood sugar, so stick to EBM if you can.

Even though Jett is nil by mouth, they are still happy for me to dip a cotton bud or his dummy in milk and have him suck it.. Research shows it's just as effective as sucrose, so please don't let the nurses tell you it's not. Sometimes they just do what's easier.. I have had a lot of advice from a wonderful woman who had twins in the NICU for 157 days.. I'm hoping I can pass on some of her wisdom and knowledge..

Hang in there Hun, I'm day 75 today and still a loooooong way to go.. We'll make it xxx

ETA: Yes it is normal for the blood cultures to take that long.. They need to see what bugs grow.. I was told that if there haven't been nasty bugs grow within 24hrs it's a good sign, but they keep them growing for 5-7 days (from memory).. If they suspect infection they start AB's anyway, just so they are covered rather than waiting and therefore letting infection grow..

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