Wow, time flies! Taylor and Madison are already 14 days old (as of Tuesday - 8/12). And that's the reason that I haven't updated this blog in a week. I've been so busy party planning for their monumental birthday, that I haven't had time to update this blog as often as I originally intended. I mean, two weeks old! If you haven't heard, two weeks is the new sixteen! I've booked Madonna to perform at their birthday party (she is IMPOSSIBLE to get a hold of), the Olsen twins will make an appearance as fellow twin sister supporters, Michael Phelps has dedicated his next gold medal to Taylor & Madison, there's a 300 person guest list, and we've reserved the entire 6th floor of the NICU wing at the CNH (Community North Hospital) as the venue. It's going to be bumpin'! They're going to get diamond pacifiers for their bday gifts from us and VH1 is going to film the party for their reality tv show, "Sweet Sixteen". It's going to be off the hook! Needless to say, this has taken most of the week to setup, so I'm sorry that I haven't updated this in that time. I'll try to do better.
So let's back up to Saturday, August 2nd. All of my frozen pizzas had been consumed (I grabbed about 5 frozen pizzas to stick in my mini fridge in our maternity suite when I became tired of spending $10/meal at the hospital cafe), Emily was mobile once again, and it was time for us to leave the hospital. Although we were ready to go home to our own bed and shower, it was very tough leaving our daughters there. Taylor and Madison have to stay in the NICU for several more weeks due to their prematurity. It was tough saying goodbye to them, but we knew that we would come back often to visit and we could call in for updates at anytime. Emily walked out of the hospital on Saturday only 4 days after having her surgery. That was a real tribute to her tenacity and fortitude. What a trooper!
I think we called several times that night just to check up on them. Our latest call that day came at 2am. We've called as late as 4am at times. I think the nurses are regretting giving us their phone number.
Sunday, August 3rd was a great day! We went to the hospital for several hours with Emily's parents, her sister, and a friend. While at the hospital, we were able to hold our children for the first time! Emily held Taylor and I held Madison for about 30 minutes each. It was awesome! We were able to hold them on our chests with skin-to-skin contact. The nurses stress the importance of skin-to-skin contact at this early age for parent-child bonding and emotional comfort and physical comfort for the kids. It was a fantastic feeling and an experience that I will always remember.
On Monday, I went back to work. It was hard, but six weeks with two kids in the intensive care unit presents a daunting challenge financially. Luckily, we have pretty good medical insurance so our cost should be minimal in comparison, but it was time to get back to the daily routine nonetheless. Time passed slowly at work, while Emily visited the twins at the hospital. She was unable to drive, so my mom took her to the hospital and I brought her home. I went straight to the hospital after work and we were there until about 9:30pm that evening. Weekdays are long days that usually include me working, going to the gym at lunch, then straight to the hospital after work for a couple hours. The meals that people have prepared for us have been life savers as we usually get home late and don't have the energy to make dinner.
Tuesday was similar except I took Emily to the hospital before work. When I went to visit after work, I was able to hold Taylor for over an hour. It was great bonding time and I feel such closeness to them every time I'm able to hold them in my arms. We were at the hospital until 8:30pm and went home emotionally and physically drained.
Wednesday provided a glimpse of what the next 6 weeks will be like emotionally. We found out on Wednesday that Madison had an infection and would be started on antibiotics. She had to have an IV inserted and blood taken. I went from the excitement of being able to finally hold my children one day, to the anxiety and stress of one of them having and ailment the very next day. And an infection in a preemie can't be dismissed easily. Their immune systems are not as developed and strong as ours or even a baby that's full-term, so the risk of complication or serious illness is increased with the simplest of infections and viruses. We would have until her blood tests came back to find out what type of infection it was. It was a long, sleepless night for Emily and I was certainly unnerved as well.
Thursday didn't bring many answers. Madison was still on antibiotics and Taylor was beginning to show symptoms (less active & no weight gain). They began to give Taylor antibiotics and took blood samples from her as well.
Friday we found out that Madison (and probably Taylor) had MRSA. It's a staph infection that is fairly common in hospitals and in the general population (about 30% of the population has it and doesn't know it). It can be easily transmitted, and in some cases become very aggressive. The idea that an adult gave the girls an infection really bothered me at the time and made me question the many hours that we had spent with them as well as the numerous visitors that we allowed in to see and touch them. We're we being too nonchalant with their fragile bodies? We're we risking their health for the benefit of parent-child interaction and bonding? Did our pride and joy blur our sense of well-being for them when letting visitors so close, so soon? The doctors and nurses assured us that we weren't at fault and these things "just happen", but they aren't the ones that would have to live with these questions for the rest of their lives if an infection becomes terminal. Weighing that fact with the nurses contradictory recommendations have provided more anxiety on top of an already stressful situation.
Saturday was a busy day. I did some furniture shopping, we had our first meeting with a possible daycare provider, we checked out the progress on our new house, and we went to the hospital. Regular activities help to distract my mind from thinking about how the twins are doing, but for only short periods of time.
I went to the hospital briefly on Saturday. I saw the girls for about an hour on Saturday night, and then let them rest. Madison seemed to be improving as she seemed more active and alert. Taylor's blood samples were coming back negative, which meant that there was a possibility that the preventative antibiotics had done their job of preventing a full-blown infection.
On Sunday, we called the hospital in the morning. Madison had to have a lumbar puncture, or a spinal tap, to ensure that the infection had not spread to her nervous system or brain. This was also to make sure that she didn't contract meningitis. These scenarios were unlikely, but the hospital does the procedure to be sure and cover "all their bases". We anguished for Madison, as we knew that the procedure would not be pleasant and her arms and feet were already bruised from all of the needle pokes that she had received for blood cultures and IVs.
They were holding off on giving Taylor the lumbar puncture until her blood work came back positive.
We went to the hospital to visit the girls on Sunday night. The girls seemed much more active and were back to gaining weight. Madison is back up to her birth weight of 3 lbs. 1 oz. and Taylor had surpassed her birth weight and is up to 2 lbs. 11 oz. Emily got to hold both girls at the same time, which was a thrill for everyone involved. We had our first family picture taken (see below) and left the hospital around 10:30pm overjoyed at the prospect of them returning to better health.
Monday brought some more details on the extent of their infections. Taylor's blood test results came back as negative. But she did have traces of the infection on her skin around her naval and nose. This is good news because the infection didn't enter her bloodstream and is less invasive. The doctor has decided to keep her on antibiotics until Friday (10 days from the start of antibiotics).
Madison did have the infection enter her bloodstream which means that she will be on antibiotics for up to 3 more weeks. She seems to be handling it well and it's apparent that she has her mother's strength and tenacity.
The emotional rollercoaster that we ride on a daily basis is intense. It's different from taking your kid into the doctor and learning that he's got the flu or needs an operation. I'm sure that's gut-wrenching for the day or two that they're in pain or under the knife. We don't feel that acute stress level, but we feel a duller, constant stress and anxiety level that persists through each day and will continue to live inside of us until we're able to bring them home healthy. Until that day, I'll try to keep updating you on everyone's condition and continue to give you insight on our daily thoughts and activities.
MadisonSaturday, August 2, 2008
Taylor
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Mommy Telling Madison Bye ... Until She Returns Tomorrow!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Taylor
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Madison
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Grandma Mraz Changing Taylor's Diaper!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Aunt Amy Saying Hi to Taylor!Sunday, August 3, 2008
Eileen Visiting With Taylor!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Daddy Watching over as Mommy Holds Taylor for the First Time!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Daddy Holding Madison for the First Time! Madison Reached Up To Say Hi!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Daddy & Maddy!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
adison Falls Asleep in Daddy's Arms!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Kim, Grandma Lewis and Taylor!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Taylor Gives A Big Thumbs Up!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Daddy Changing One of Many of Madison's Diapers!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Taylor - 1 Week Old!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Daddy Holding Taylor for the First Time!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Madison Resting - So Sweet!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Taylor Stretching - Too Cute!
Madison Holding Daddy's Finger!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Grandpa Lewis & Mom Checking in on Madison!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Madison - Future Skier Like Her Daddy!?!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Maddy Resting With Her Pacifier
Friday, August 8, 2008
Taylor & Madison Both Reached Their Original Birth Weights!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Madison
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Madison
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Taylor Lounging!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Madison Holding Daddy's Finger! Sunday, August 10, 2008
Madison Holding Daddy's Finger! Sunday, August 10, 2008
Madison Smiling With Her Hat On!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Mommy Holding Madison for the First Time!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Madison Looking Up At Mom!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Mommy Holding Taylor & Madison Together for the First Time!! Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sisters Reunited & Resting Peacefully!!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Taylor & Madison Holding Hands!!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Taylor & Madison - Best Friends!!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Our First Family Photo!!
(Sorry Indy! We Will Include You As Soon As the Girls Get Home!)
Sunday, August 10, 2008
7 comments:
Wow. Thanks for all the pictures. Job well done.
Can't wait to see the Lewis family!
All the Best,
Rich, Danny, and Ethan Spaulding
You guys are so stinkin cute! I'm glad the girls are doing much better, you guys are such great parents! I know life is crazy right now, but we appreciate the update on the blog and the pictures are phenomenal:)
I am glad to see and hear the girls are doing better. I hope you enjoyed the dinner the other night and we will keep the food coming for you and Emily. I know its crazy right now but there are still many people praying for you and hoping the girls keep growing so they can come home soon.
Cassie
The pictures are wonderful and you guys are obviously doing a fabulous job! We are praying for the Lewis family and hoping that everyone gets to come home soon. Try to get some sleep and take one day at a time.
Jessica
Unbeleivable celebrities! They are going to be as famous as Grandpa Lou-Bob and Great-Grandpa Harris! Can't wait for the party-bash! Bring diamonds,crystal bottles and satin bibs!
Great blog- we continue to think about the girls everyday and pray for a healthy future! Emily is a trooper & Little Louie...you are already a great DAD!
Thanks for the updates, it is great to hear that the girls are improving and gaining weight that is Wonderful! I think about you all often. I want to come visit, but am just trying to find the time when Kyle is home to keep the girls for me....in the meantime keep us posted with this blog and keep up the great pics!
Take Care, and keep your chins up!
Nicole Z.
The girls are so beautiful. I am so glad that they are doing better. We are praying for you and can't wait to meet them when they come home.
Lots of love,
Sam,Todd, Ehtan and Alex ifert
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