the debrief...

we got our discharge papers in the post today, and they make for some interesting reading. there are things in there that we did not know about, which is probably a good thing. big words confuse me.

the issues:

THE PROBLEM LIST/ DIAGNOSES
1	extreme prematurity
2	respiratory distress syndrome
3	bronchopulmonary dysplasia ( chronic lung disease )
4	patent ductus arteriosus
5	intestinal perforation
6	IVH of feotus/ neonate ( brain bleed - can be bad, was not in Harlows case)
7	anaemia - prematurity
8	retinopathy of prematurity grade 2
9	breech delivery
10	oedema of newborn
11	scepticaemia - unspecified
12	jaundice - prematurity
13	necrotising enterocolitis - suspected
14	pulmonary hemorrhage ( bleeding in the lungs )
	( red = bad )

there are fourteen problems on this list. fourteen!!! how many issues can a baby have?

it then goes on to say that he required resuscitation at minute one, we did not know this. "initially poor resp with HR 90 - given 5x inflation breaths" good on those doctors... i had no idea that the actual delivery was THAT touch and go. blew me away when i read it.

then there is the treatments:

	EXAMINATIONS/ INVESTIGATIONS/ PROCEDURES
	1	SIMV/ assist control ( ventilator )
	2	NCPAP
	3	low flow oxygen
	4	arterial catheter/ umbilical
	5	umbilical venous catheter
	6	long line
	7	ultrasound - head
	8	blood culture
	9	gutherie test
	10	xray - chest
	11	ultrasound - heart
	12	peritoneal drain insertion
	13	phototherapy
	14	transfusion packed cells
		( red = bad )

i guess thats one treatment per ailment. although, we have to keep in mind that there are a few of those treatments that occurred more than once. ie, there were 8 blood transfusions and several ultrasounds of the heart and head. his blood now has more culture in it than the russian ballet or boston philharmonic!

i dont know about you, dear reader, but i don't like the thought of babies being used as pin cushions. i have no problem with needles per se, but in babies....

what i do know, is that the lower list is what helped my boy stay alive when assailed by the top list.

can't say it enough, rock on the NICU...