First Visit in NICU and Kelsey's visit to our room
Papa Wayne, Elise's dad, surprised her by visiting from FL and Kelsey's first bottle
Aunt Diane and Uncle Gary visit (5/16) and our sunning beauty
We enjoyed the remainder of Monday in our room, taking LOTS of pictures with Kelsey. As a precaution, Kelsey was taken to the nursery at 5 PM to take a follow-up blood test. It was around 8 PM when two new doctors knocked on our door. Both named Dr. McKinney, one was the hospital pediatrician who specializes in infectious diseases; the other was a private pediatrician who was filling in for our personal pediatrician who happened to be on vacation in Israel. In short, the doctors explained to us that Kelsey’s precautionary blood test taken immediately after delivery showed elevated white blood cells (which was common after long labors). Unfortunately, the results of the 5 PM blood test were worse than the initial test, prompting the doctors to suggest additional testing and the start of antibiotics. The tests included an LP (lumber puncture – aka spinal tap) and blood cultures. We would know more within 12 hours, but Kelsey would have to spend the night and a minimum of 2 days in the Special Care Nursery (NICU) with an IV of fluids and antibiotics. It was very hard for us to believe because since she was born, Kelsey was acting completely normal with no indication of any kind of sickness. After the LP procedure, Elise and I finally got to sit with Kelsey in the Special Care Nursery. The first time we saw her with an IV coming out of her hand and hooked up to monitors was heartbreaking.
On Tuesday morning, one of the Dr. McKinney’s came into our room to inform us that signs of a bacterial infection were present in her spinal fluid and that she would need to remain in the hospital for anywhere from 7-21 days. The determination on time would be made based on the results of several cultures taken during Monday night’s tests. If there was no growth in cultures within 48 hours, there was an 80-90% chance she would only need to spend 7-10 additional days in the hospital. If she went 72 hours with no cultures, her stay would be limited to the 7-10 days. If there was growth, Kelsey would spend a minimum of two additional weeks in the hospital. FORTUNATELY, there were no growths and the timeline was set for 10 days.
On Wednesday afternoon, we had a few hours of relief from monitors and IVs where Kelsey got to visit our hospital room without nurses hovering by offering unsolicited advice and for a few moments felt like actual parents, thanks to the one person at Mo Bap that we’ll have fond memories of, Diana, the nurse coordinator of prenatal education and former lactation specialist. Begrudgingly, we had to watch her wheeled away yet again to receive her meds.
During this tumultuous time, Elise was nursing her every couple hours and battling getting discharged from the hospital and having to leave without our little girl. In a word, it was hell. By far the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do. We got to spend one extra night in “Self care” where we got to stay without nursing services, and kept trying to extend that but were finally kicked out at 5pm on Thursday. Elise refused to go home that first night, so we stayed in a nearby hotel. It made it a little easier for her knowing that her milk supply was in and that Kelsey would not have to have any formula. We both visited Kelsey as often as they would let us staying into the wee hours of the night only to return early in the morning to start the routine over again. We watched Kelsey grow and gain weight to 7 lbs 4 oz (up 6 oz from birth- she never lost weight like most newborns), act like a typical newborn and saw her through many heel sticks, blood draws and 3 IV sites, one of which was in her head. We eventually settled into a hellacious routine taking turns sitting with her and feeding her. Thanks to Elise’s mom, Sharry, for sitting with Kelsey and for taking care of the house and kids (Mocha and Bella) so that we could be away as often as we were. From here on, we just muddled through doing the best we could and waiting for Thursday, May 21 the day we finally got to bring our daughter home!
On Tuesday morning, one of the Dr. McKinney’s came into our room to inform us that signs of a bacterial infection were present in her spinal fluid and that she would need to remain in the hospital for anywhere from 7-21 days. The determination on time would be made based on the results of several cultures taken during Monday night’s tests. If there was no growth in cultures within 48 hours, there was an 80-90% chance she would only need to spend 7-10 additional days in the hospital. If she went 72 hours with no cultures, her stay would be limited to the 7-10 days. If there was growth, Kelsey would spend a minimum of two additional weeks in the hospital. FORTUNATELY, there were no growths and the timeline was set for 10 days.
On Wednesday afternoon, we had a few hours of relief from monitors and IVs where Kelsey got to visit our hospital room without nurses hovering by offering unsolicited advice and for a few moments felt like actual parents, thanks to the one person at Mo Bap that we’ll have fond memories of, Diana, the nurse coordinator of prenatal education and former lactation specialist. Begrudgingly, we had to watch her wheeled away yet again to receive her meds.
During this tumultuous time, Elise was nursing her every couple hours and battling getting discharged from the hospital and having to leave without our little girl. In a word, it was hell. By far the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do. We got to spend one extra night in “Self care” where we got to stay without nursing services, and kept trying to extend that but were finally kicked out at 5pm on Thursday. Elise refused to go home that first night, so we stayed in a nearby hotel. It made it a little easier for her knowing that her milk supply was in and that Kelsey would not have to have any formula. We both visited Kelsey as often as they would let us staying into the wee hours of the night only to return early in the morning to start the routine over again. We watched Kelsey grow and gain weight to 7 lbs 4 oz (up 6 oz from birth- she never lost weight like most newborns), act like a typical newborn and saw her through many heel sticks, blood draws and 3 IV sites, one of which was in her head. We eventually settled into a hellacious routine taking turns sitting with her and feeding her. Thanks to Elise’s mom, Sharry, for sitting with Kelsey and for taking care of the house and kids (Mocha and Bella) so that we could be away as often as we were. From here on, we just muddled through doing the best we could and waiting for Thursday, May 21 the day we finally got to bring our daughter home!
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