11.29.10 Part II

Well, today's challenge is the fact that Harper's breathing seems to be more labored. There are a couple of reasons for this - could just be that she's not laying on her tummy. I think I may have mentioned before that it's easier for preemies to breathe on their tummies, so that could be it. They have to do this because she still has that IV in her right foot.
Her breathing hasn't been an issue for her, so the doctor thought something might be up, so they took an X-ray and it showed that her lungs looked a little hazy, so they are 3 courses of action for this. She's still a little puffy all over, so the haziness could be from that, so they are giving her another dose of the diuretic to see if that helps. Then they will do their normal labs in the morning to see if that helped. If it didn't they will give her another medicine that will dilate her lungs which will help open them up. If that doesn't work then they will up her flow from a 1.5 tube to a 2.0 tube. Bottom line - it's just something to keep an eye on. It seems like they say that a lot, but that's really all they can do at this point.
Good news though - they may not put the PICC line back in. Basically, the line has been providing her nutrients when she couldn't have the my milk, and it's been delivering her antibiotics. Well, she will only be on the antibiotics until Wednesday and if she can handle the feedings, they won't need to keep supplying her with extra nutrients. They have increased her feedings to every 3 hours (instead of 4), so we should be able to see if she can tolerate more milk. So, the reasons for the PICC line seem to be disappearing. If they would need to give her antibiotics or nutrients down the road for something and they don't need it for an extended period of time, they will just put an IV in. UGH!! Mommy would HATE that option, but it doesn't seem to bother her to get poked with needles. Keep that up little girl!!