NO MORE IV

Ava is doing great today! She has gained another ounce, 3 lbs 6 ounces!! We changed plans a little bit from yesterday. Since she still had her IV in, I wasn't able to give her a bath, but the nurse did. I will get to next time. She was so nice and clean yesterday when I went to visit. The NP said that they will probably take her IV out tonight when it expires, sometime between 4 and 6pm. Unless it goes bad before then. It will be nice to finally get all her arms in her clothes. She didn't discontinue her pulse ox today, but will do that tomorrow. No reason for that, just didn't write the order. She also talked about discontinuing another medicine that she is on this weekend. When babies are premature, they typically need a drug called amenophlin (sp?) or something similar to caffeine. Justin was on caffeine for a long time! This is to help prevent them from having "spells". A spell is when their heart rate and O2 levels drop and sometimes they need a little stimulation to get going again. Basically, they forget to breathe. Justin had spells all the time so we got used to them with him. Ava has never had a spell before. She has dropped her heart rate a couple times but always brings it right back up on her own. Very normal and something they expect. Anyway, the NP talked about discontinuing her amenophlin this weekend because she will be at an age where she really won't need it anymore. Yesterday I noticed a note on Ava's white board that said "DC-10/8". I didn't know what it meant but guessed and was right. Her discharge date is going to be right around Oct. 8th if she can get everything figured out by then. Of course, that is just a goal to shoot for. If she is not ready, they will not send her home. But, the nurse said if we don't have a goal, we have nothing to shoot for. All good news today. I am taking it easy this afternoon and heading down tonight!