So we begin our NICU journey....

[*Infinity*]

You ladies are all amazing. All your positive thoughts have made their way through as we didn't end up with Heidi in surgery today which has been a massive relief. I almost fell in a heap just from sheer exhaustion this morning. She must have listened to me giving her a stern talking to late last night as she is slowly moving things through her bowel. Slowly, ever so slowly, but things are moving all the same. Her 8am xray showed that the dye has moved & was on its way out. She had also done a couple of little poos this morning - I've never seen a surgeon so excited about two little poos! So based on that result the surgeon didn't want to investigate today. Surgery may still be on the cards in the next little while if things don't continue to progress, but we've managed a reprieve from that stress for now. They may repeat the dye test in the next 4-5 days to hoepfully see her pass it quicker - in 24 hrs is what they expect - she's taken over 48hrs to pass this lot so its slow - bit still progress. There is still no telling whether she does have a constriction or areas of inflammation in her bowel - we just have to keep our fingers crossed.

The stress of prepping her, talking to the anaesthetists, signing consent forms etc. has just wiped me out. DP brought me home and put me in bed for the afternoon, and just woke me to express. So I've had a bit of rest. Didnt help that DS woke last night with the cold he has and teething too. Plus I have a scratchy throat AGAIN so I'm hoping like mad that I don't succumb and have to be away from my girl. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Love to you all for sending your thoughts to Heidi, it means the world to us xx

[ladybird11]

These premmie babes never cease to amaze me.

Massive hugs hun - sending you 'stay well' vibes

[Rosebud]

Such a positive step forward! Well done Miss H. Keep up the good work for your mummy & daddy.

These precious little ones surely like to do things in their own time.

Grab yourself a hot cup of tea with lemon & honey, take a deep breath as we send healthy vibes your way

[Nai]

What good news! I am so happy she didn't have to have surgery!

For your throat make some sage tea and gargle with it (don't swallow) - it's foul but it works.

[thepixie]

I have no time but just wanted to say how wonderful that she didn't need surgery... to you, you must be exhausted!
Go Heidi!!

[aussienic]

Such good news.

for yourself get to a chamist and try Olivie leaf extract with makuna honey losenges. If you are expressing you can only have a 3 a day (I was BF when i started with them) Although seeing as Heidi is small bub I would ask the Dr or pharmacist..

but it helps a lot with sore throats and coughs.. and even if you just feel flat it seems to pick you up

[onthefly]

Oh thank goodness
She is one amazing little girl

[Jennifer13]

Hun, you can try lanisoh or a similar lanolin based 'cream' on your crack to help it when you can't walk around bare-breasted. Ask at the hospital, they might even have some, otherwise, any chemist will.

I can't wait to hear about DH's cuddles tonight, so excited for you both. And Heidi's little tummy tolerates the milk well. Sounds like both of your kids are benefiting from your wonderful milk! That's going to help DS if you're fighting off colds in the household too. My DD had ebm on her weetbix for months as a toddler while I used up my freezer supplies.

[Nai]

The special band-aids designed for healing blisters are good too - the compeed type ones. Combine with the BM and airing and it should heal.

Sending big hugs and hoping that Heidi is able to be back on the EBM very soon.

[*Infinity*]

The special band-aids designed for healing blisters are good too - the compeed type ones. Combine with the BM and airing and it should heal.

Thanks Nai, where do I find these band-aids? Are they a particular brand or do they have a name? Might try them out. And Jen I've been using some pawpaw cream to date but will upgrade to the Lansinoh today I think. And dig out my bigger flange for the pump too. I'm annoyed because the crack is on my slower boob so I've had to turn the suction right down and get even less milk. Or just sit there for 45 minutes letting it dribble out! Oh well, thank goodness for power boob!

Well I finally got to hold my baby girl in my arms again last night. I settled in with her tucked down my top and she went straight to sleep, and I just wept. Tears of sheer relief, of exhaustion, tears that wished the whole world would go away for a while so I could have her in a quiet room all to myself. DP & her nurse sat there holding me and wiping away the tears. Even though it was visiting hours and they were very busy, her nurse insisted the lights get turned off so we could enjoy the cuddle as much as possible, and I was so appreciative. Its the closest I can get to having her back in my womb, and it just feels so much better having her with me, where she belongs. Inside or out.

[Mummato2]

Oh Heidi - good girl!!!! Keep it up sweet girl!!

You are doing so well honey - you are one strong lady and that is obviously resonating to your little girl.

Lots of love and healing vibes to your sweet daughter.

[*Infinity*]

Thank you all for your love & support and helping us celebrate DDs milestones. She continues to do well and is definitely getting better which is an immense relief. They repeated the gastric dye test on Friday and she managed to pass it through much quicker which is a great sign, and she has also continued to poo which means things are on the mend. The real test will be today as they are re-introducing 1ml feeds every 2 hours. So we'll see how she tolerates that.

She was taken off the ventilator around midday yesterday and has remained nice & stable, so we are just thrilled for her. She was getting so uncomfortable with that tube down, she is looking a lot more settled now with just the CPAP back on. And after 3 weeks of not being able to handle her a lot or do much for her, I was able to give her a nice wash and massage today and it looks like we might be in for some cuddles tonight! DP thinks he might even sneak a cuddle in too - he's not felt ready to cuddle her as yet, but after this time with her being so ill, I don't think anything will stop him now.

Still expressing like a dairy queen - so much milk in my freezer here, I'm also giving some of it to DS! I've got a crack thats opened up on one boob right close to where the pump flange rubs, its not too uncomfortable if I'm really careful, but I just can't see how its going to heal while I'm exclusively expressing. Any thoughts? I'm putting breast milk on it to help heal it up and giving it an airing too? Hopefully it stays manageable.

[ladybird11]

Enjoy those cuddles hun - I'm so so so over the moon to hear Miss H is on the mend :-)

[onthefly]

So wonderful to hear how well she's going! for more poos and hope you get soem lovely cuddles
Hope the crack heals up. Are there LCs at the hospital you could ask about it? Or call the ABA maybe. Milk and airing should help at any rate.

[*Beema*]

Oh wow *Infinity* what some huge steps Miss Heidi has taken over the last few days

She is certainly making up for lost time.

I am so so excited for you and your DH to be getting cuddles again, oh what a truely amazing feeling that will be, and I bet you were bubbling with joy being able to do her cares today

Will be keeping you all in my thoughts and I hope that she gets back onto the "good stuff" and the transition goes smoothly

Take care and you are doing a wonderful job and thankyou for sharing what is a very difficult journey, we are here for you through all of the highs and the lows, but from here on in may there be many more highs!
xxoo

[Sally2]

Hoping you all got your cuddle & a big WHOO HOO FOR POO!
Haven't been on for a couple of days, but as soon as I got computer access, logged on to find out what little Miss Heidi has been up to and was so excited to read your post. What an exhausting time for you all but happy to hear she that she seems to be on the mend