Heart Update

Morning Team Beatrice fans,

Bea and Mommy enjoyed another Kangaroo Care session last night. Beatrice was so calm and snuggley that she didn't even wake up when Mommy put her back in her isolette. The nurse said that skin-to-skin holds have shown to have healing benefits for babies. It certainly helps her parents.

We met with a doctor this morning and he said that Bea's heart problem is "mostly" cleared up from the medicine. The open duct has closed enough that surgery might not be necessary. In the event it reopens in the next few days, they will re-evaluate.

Generally, Team Beatrice is feeling out this next phase of life in the NICU. Little Bea has made so much progress, but we've hesitated really believing that she will come home someday. So this morning, we held our breath and asked the doctor about Beatrice's long term prognosis. The doc said that, at this point, we are mainly facing preemie issues. We haven't schooled ourselves much on these issues as of yet, so we can only report the doctor's comments. Beatrice does have a good chance of survival, but is facing potential serious complications with her digestive system (they will begin feeding her tomorrow via feeding tube), will likely have chronic lung issues until her lungs heal themselves, may re-accumulate the fluid in her chest, is at risk for infection, and could have vision and hearing problems. The list is daunting. Mommy and Daddy just wish they could take some of the hard work away from Bea- she's already put in enough for a lifetime. With all the love coming her way, hopefully she can keep up the fight.

-Carol (on behalf of Team Beatrice)