Doctors, Meds, and Hope

Aubrey saw our local doctor today for the first time. She is doing well, overall, and we made further plans for her care. In addition to the visits to Syracuse to see the cardiologists, Aubrey will see our doctor about once a month to monitor growth.

Last week, Aubrey left the NICU weighing 3375g (or 7lbs, 7.05oz). Today she weighed 7lbs, 10oz and measured 19.5" (I think she's actually longer than this since I measured her at 20.5" last Thursday-- maybe we'll just go with 20"!). She has long, delicate fingers and her legs are scrawny; I think the 3oz gain that I am so proud of went right to her cheeks and nowhere else! Her little head is 1.5" smaller at 4 weeks old than Bronwyn's was at birth, so that the only hat in our possession that remotely fits her is the pink crocheted one the nurses put on her immediately after delivery. For the first time with any baby, I actually bought a second package of newborn-sized diapers.

But she is growing (better now than in the NICU), and I am so happy. I spend a lot of time nursing her and am coming to terms with the fact that she also seems to need 2-3 bottles (50ml of breastmilk each) a day in order to get full; when it comes to breastfeeding, she tires before having eaten all that she needs to sleep well. Hopefully we will slowly but surely be able to wean her from those "top off" bottles, but for now I am simply glad she is content and that the scale is showing growth.

Very soon, Aubrey will get her first dose of medicine to help prevent RSV. She will get this once a month throughout the winter months.

On the 24th, we will make our first return trip for an appointment with the cardiologists. We're still not sure how frequently they will want to see Aubrey and what kinds of testing they will want to do in the coming months. I anticipate finding out more at the appointment.

Aubrey is on 2 different medications right now: one for the atrial fibrillation (racing heart) and a second to prevent fluid build-up that is caused by heart disease. I administer both of these orally once a day. In addition, she gets an iron and vitamin supplement that I mix with some breastmilk in a bottle, also once a day.

I am thankful for attentive doctors and effective medications. But when I've done my research, asked lots of questions, and heard the pros and cons, I realize again that my hope and expectation must be in God alone. And, actually, that's the best place for it. He has faithfully kept Aubrey even when many medical professionals said she probably wouldn't live and even before that! We will continue to wash our hands lots, track medications, and keep appointments, but when all is said and done, our hearts will rest in Him and His power.

Psalm 34:17-20 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken. [emphasis mine]