Caller ID

When you have babies in the NICU, there is one number that you never want to see on your caller ID--- the NICU.  Believe me, they are never calling to tell you the babies are doing fabulous.  A call from the NICU always means something has gone downhill.

Last night it was clear that Isaac was having more respiratory problems.  He started having long and frequent apneic episodes.    The nurse suctioned him out well and by the time we left he seemed to be doing better.  I called about midnight and wasn't surprised to hear he had been placed back on CPAP.  We had been expecting this may happen for a few days as he had started having some chest retractions and his oxygenation was borderline.

When the NICU called this morning, my heart started racing.  It was about Isaac.  This morning his apnea and oxygenation worsened significantly and he was intubated--- meaning he is now back on a ventilator.  Dr. R was on and explained what had happened and the tests he planned on running.  He started another antibiotic-- which, it turns out was a good thing.  It appears from the lab work that Isaac has another infection.   

Isaac is doing better on the vent and is resting comfortably.  We can only hope that the infection will improve in the next 48 hours.  Luckily, Isaac is a little fighter and for now he seems stable.

As for me, I will just be glad when the NICU has no cause to show up on my caller ID.