The Boys Make Us Swoon
It hit me Friday when Elizabeth walked into the NICU. I've seen that face before, I thought. I saw it the last time Elizabeth saw our boys, and the time before that. I'm also certain I look the same way whenever I see the twins.
Our little guys weigh less than 5 pounds apiece, but they already know how to make us swoon.
A lot has changed since my last post and all of the news is good.
Nicholas and Alexander will be two weeks old on Tuesday. They've been in the NICU since birth and are expected to be there another 2 to 4 weeks. A lot can go wrong with babies smaller than dolls, but these two have made tremendous progress.
Alexander was moved from an isolette to a crib a few days ago and Nicholas is expected to make the same transition today. Their IVs were removed several days ago and they're maintaining their body temps and breathing well with no assistance. Their doctor told me the other day feeding is the only remaining issue.
Sucking, swallowing and breathing is difficult to do for a lot of babies, especially ones born 7 weeks early. A feeding tube helps the boys finish meals they can't always get through. They tucker out after 15 minutes of feeding (more starts and stops than a chug fest) and after 30 they burn more calories than they add.
A NICU nurse pulled me aside recently and showed me two brain images I'll never forget. The first was a picture of a 35-week brain. It was smaller than my fist with only a handful of the grooves that give us our senses. The next was a brain at 40 weeks. It was much larger and lined with grooves. It looked like a normal brain.
"Your boys aren't here yet," the nurse said, pointing to the 35-week brain. "But they're doing great - much better than a lot of babies in here."
The twins were born at 33 weeks and I credit Elizabeth, who carried them until her doctors ordered an emergency surgery, for their strong start. If they have half the strength of their mama they will be just fine.
Their nurses and grandmothers tell us Alexander looks like his Mama and Nicholas like me. I feel terrible for Nicholas. ;)
Elizabeth spends her days in the NICU and I take the night shift. We feed the boys, hold them, watch them and take photos of them, which we look at when we're not feeding, holding and watching them.
Elizabeth came home Monday, six days after the boys were born. She's doing much better. It's nice to see her improve instead of watching helplessly as her struggles intensified with each passing day.
We had a lot of support along the way. Her mom was the first to arrive from out of town, helping Elizabeth through a difficult 3-week hospital stay. Her dad arrived next and basically built our nursery and assembled all of our strollers, swings, etc. Like rotating surgical residents, my mom relieved Elizabeth's dad and she filled our deep freezer with 14 home-cooked meals. She left Monday after a 2-week stay and Elizabeth's mom returned Thursday.
We owe each of them so much. When we needed them most they were there. Several other family members and numerous friends stepped up, too. So many of you called, texted, helped us with Natalie and sent cards, flowers, gifts, etc. Your kindness helped us through the darkest days and changed us forever. We will always be grateful.
Elizabeth's doctors and nurses at Sharp Mary Birch also deserve a million thank you's because they treated us like family, something I wasn't expecting. They returned our calls and emails within minutes and conversations with them never felt rushed or awkward. These are special people who care about their patients.
If you are searching for an OB look no further than West Coast OB. Dr. Kim Goodwin, Dr. Craig Saffer, Dr. Lauren Bales, Dr. Amy French and Dr. Daniela Meshkat - Dr. Meshkat delivered the boys - are beyond excellent. If you need a perinatologist make an appointment with Dr. Joanna Adamczak (Dr. A to us) or Dr. Sean Daneshmand at the San Diego Perinatal Center. I must have emailed Dr. A a dozen times the past few weeks and she answered every one of my emails, usually within minutes.
It seems odd to no longer be in daily contact with Elizabeth's doctors and nurses. We miss them.
I wish I knew the names of all the wonderful nurses who cared for Elizabeth. We will never forget them or the care they provided. Those who provided exceptional care include Kristina, Melissa, Alana, Theresa and Tine.
So many people helped us, and maybe that was how all of this was supposed to work. If there was any doubt before, we know exactly what we're going to do the next time someone close to us is in crisis.
