Right before noon, on the 26th, Grandpa Seep arrived at Kinley's baby station with some great news. Kathy has convinced her doctor that she is ready to be discharged. It will take a little while for her to get checked out, but she should be here soon.
Around 12:30 pm Nurse Phyllis gave Kinley some antibiotics in case of an infection. Phyllis said that Kinley's temp was a little elevated, but nothing they would consider a fever. They simply want to be safe and stop it early in case it is an infection. Kinley was also given another dose of hydrocortisone to help increase her BP. We also discussed Kinley's urine output. The minimum output they want is 1 cc/kilo/hr (please don't ask me to describe this measurement because I do not have a clue) and Kinley is currently at 2. This is good news because it means that Kinley's kidney function is good and that she is not dehydrated. If she can increase her urine output, that means Phyllis and the other nurses will be able to give Kinley more fluids to help with her BP.
At 1:15 pm, we received the results of another blood gas test. Kinley's Ph is normal, her CO2 is 35 (we want it between 35 -45), and her O2 is at 250. Overall, a good blood gas test. Her O2 did drop from 370, but this is because her ventilator was turned down 2% since her last blood gas test. Phyllis made sure to point this out to me to make sure that I was aware of how sensitive Kinley was to changes in her settings and environment. A 2% change dropped her O2 by 120. Phyllis also informed me that even though her CO2 level was good we really want it closer to 45. Believe it or not, but this is because having too low of a CO2 level in your blood is a very dangerous thing. If her CO2 levels drop to 20 or lower that is when it gets dangerous.
1:30 pm - The radiology team brought in a portable x-ray machine to take a look at Kinley's chest cavity. (We will get the results of this x-ray later today)
1:45 pm - Mommy's here!!! Kinley is so excited, but I make her wait in her bed while I wheel mommy back to her room. I can be such a strict parent. After we have Kathy in the room we bring in one of the taller chairs so she can sit at Kinley's bedside. On top of the gift of simply having mommy there, Kathy brought a gift (pictured below) for Kinley. Actually, Kathy had this gift packed in her delivery bag just to make sure that we did not forget it.
1:30 pm - The radiology team brought in a portable x-ray machine to take a look at Kinley's chest cavity. (We will get the results of this x-ray later today)
1:45 pm - Mommy's here!!! Kinley is so excited, but I make her wait in her bed while I wheel mommy back to her room. I can be such a strict parent. After we have Kathy in the room we bring in one of the taller chairs so she can sit at Kinley's bedside. On top of the gift of simply having mommy there, Kathy brought a gift (pictured below) for Kinley. Actually, Kathy had this gift packed in her delivery bag just to make sure that we did not forget it.
Mommy Melcher watching over Kinley.
Kinley with her 1st gift.
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