Day 10- A lump in the road

Evening all, we've had a bit of a mixed day today and the blip that I thought was around the corner has finally arrived.

We were hoping for Olivia's first feed but sadly that hasn't happened and after 3 days of falling green bile/aspirate levels there was a slightly worrying rise in the amount and colour of todays fluid.  No where near the levels of this time last week but I hope it's just a blip and can probably be explained by the lack of any dirty nappies in the last 24 hours, one tonight would be great Olivia! 

Apart from the fluid levels, no dirty nappy and some very sore blistered lips from sucking the dummy so hard over the last couple of days she is still doing well.  We'd much prefer for her to get better in her own time rather than be selfish and rush her to feed.

Lisa took a great picture which could almost pass as a smile but my bet is on wind or a dream about milk!!

It's getting harder and harder to leave her in hospital when all you want to do is take her home and give lots of cuddles but she is in the best place for now and the surgeons, doctors and nurses are brilliant.  I don't think I could go through the constant emotional roller coaster each day of my working life.  They seem to get very attached to the babies and all gather to say goodbye when a baby leaves the unit.

Olivia has two other neighbours who also have gastroschisis, both boys.  One family are from Plymouth and make the journey up to Bristol as much as is possible but their baby has been in NICU for 6 weeks now so they must be shattered.

I had my first bad day for a while mostly brought on by a stressful day at work followed by the 1hr 30min drive in to Bristol through the rush hour, must keep positive!

Still no real news about the very poorly twin, the machines are keeping him going but his mum hasn't been in for a couple of days now so not sure what is happening.  Perhaps she's staying away to prolong the inevitable. :-(

Lisa's sister Jess and family made it back from holiday today and was great to see them all this evening, still no visitors to NICU which is very frustrating for everyone.

Right, night all.  Let's hope for better news tomorrow.

James.