Friday, January 30, 2009

More Prayers, Please

Our babies all had cranial ultrasounds today, well I guess it was yesterday since it is 1am now! Anyway, George's and Emery's both came back normal. Elaina's showed Intraventricular Hemorrhage or IVH. IVH has 4 grades, Grade I being the least severe and Grade IV being the most severe. Her doctor said hers is uncomplicated Grade II, which means there is a small amount of bleeding on the brain without hydrocephalus. The information we received says that Grade I and Uncomplicated Grade II IVH are usually not at any greater risk of brain injury than premature infants who do not develop IVH. The bleeding is usually reabsorbed by the body. She will have another cranial ultrasound on February 3. Please keep our little girl in your prayers (along with her brother and his surgery on Monday) that the IVH does not worsen and that the repeat ultrasound shows the blood is being or has been reabsorbed.


We have had an emotional day. I knew there would be ups and downs with 3 babies in the NICU, but there isn't anything that can be said or that you can read on other peoples blogs that can really prepare you for it. I know my friends, old and new, that have been in this position have a lot of words of encouragement. Hearing about their experiences and seeing the beautiful faces of their little ones on the other side of all of this is so inspirational. I hope to be able to "pay it forward" when our family is on "the outside" and all of this is a memory.

5 comments:

MasonTripletsPlusOne said...

Lisa I will be praying for Elaina and George, really all 5 of you, but extra for them:)

Jill

Greta Myers said...

Hey guys,
Hang in there.. Niklas had grade II as well, and is doing great, as you mentioned , II is considered not a big deal...(he has a shunt but its due to obstruction which your little one doest have)
We will pray for you.
Hope you received the card from the H.O.M.M.I.E.S I dropped of the other day at the NICU. Girls were thinking about you.
I am volunteer for the NICU and Parent-to-parent program participant, let me know if there is anything I could do.I would be happy to talk on the phone or even stop by at the NICU.
Its a ride, but I will be worth it in the end.

Greta

The Buckley Family said...

Lisa,
All 3 of our kiddos ended up with brain bleeds - Johnathan grade I/grade II-III, Madelyn grade III bilateral, and Annabel grade IV (hydrocephelus)/grade III. Both Johnathan and Mady's resolved with no complications other than that they are slightly behind developmentally, even with the adjustment. Annabel did require a shunt and is diagnosed with mild left-side hemiplegia CP. Given the initial assessments of our children's quality of lives, the trio are doing awesome! We also had Mady and Johnathan go thru the PDA ligation surgery.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Jamie

reginanavejar said...

You've got prayers going up from Milwaukee. I'm a mom too and my heart knows the familiar ache a mother goes feels when a baby is not feeling well. God Bless!

P.S. I've followed your IVF road (I'm on my own IVF journey right now) and I've prayed for your success for awhile:)

Aimee said...

Lisa and Ryan,
We are sending all of the positive thoughts we can muster over to you and those precious babies!!! Especially to George for his surgery and Elaina for her brain bleed to resolve. HUGS! You look amazing and those kangaroo pictures just make me so happy for you!