11/12/08 - Goodbye NICU...Hello NPCN!!!!!!!

Kayleigh is having another great day and they are actually about to move her over to Progressive Care (NPCN) tonight. She is currently on .2 liters of flow and at 100% which is what she can go home on. She is also finishing all her bottles like a champ and not having and saturation issues at all. All we have to do is keep this up and she will be home in no time.

But....We need to keep an eye on her weight. Right now she weighs 1570 grams which is 3 lbs - 6.6 ounces. They have started to fortify her milk again which if taken by a bottle, she has no problems digesting like she did a while back. She is also on Lasix which could be a reason she has not been growing like she should lately. She did have a very invasive surgery, so weight loss is expected as they are trying to refrain from any fluid building up. They are weaning her off the Lasix slowly, so we should start to see a turn around in her weight very soon. I don't think that would hold her up from coming home, except in case she doesn't pass the car seat test for being too small. Someone emailed me today about some car seat requirements, which we are definitely taking in to consideration.

Well, as we leave the NICU and never look back, there are a lot of memories that will always remain in our lives, but NONE of them will be missed.


You see, when we make our 24 minute drive everyday, Aimee and I will always remember those days where the drive was completely silent. The days where we weren't sure if it would be our final trip to see Kayleigh alive as she battled for her life. This is the drive that we would take over 200 times in the past 5 months. There were the days where traffic couldn't move fast enough to allow us to get there quicker. We jammed to Wade Joye's/Elevation Church (We Are Alive) CD and practically memorized every song on there. Most of the time, this drive was not too bad and will always bring back memories, but it is a drive that won't be missed.

As we show up to our parking deck, at the same spot where we would enter with hopes of good news and often leave with bad. You never knew what mood or feelings you will have when you leave, but as time went by, leaving Kayleigh would leave you feeling numb inside no matter what. Time after time we would enter this road often traveled by others, who probably felt just as numb as us and who would possibly be making their last exit, from/with the ones they love. It is a tunnel of joy or heartbreak as I call it. No matter what, this parking deck has it's stories. We loved parking in this deck as it was much more convenient than all the other parking decks, but it won't be missed.

Our favorite parking spot was the closest to the door, whether it was on level three, four or five. Most days we were lucky to get this spot, but we knew God was saving it for us as all the other spots were full. It didn't make sense, but we didn't question Him. It is amazing how the little things that would make a day better or less stressful. We love this spot, but it won't be missed.

Without question, this was the best cross walk in the hospital because it led to the Starbucks ;) We love Starbucks and are so glad they are practically in every shopping center around, because this one won't be missed.

After a month of learning the confusing hallways through the hospital, we found the elevators that led us right outside the entrance doors to the NICU. They could tell you about the days we impatiently traveled them when we couldn't wait to see Kayleigh after passing a certain milestone. Such as the first time Kayleigh was off the CPAP in two weeks where we could see her beautiful little face without any obstructions. These elevators were for the most part quicker than other elevators and they seemed to make it to the 7th floor without stopping. Even though these elevators made another thing about our days less stressful, they too won't be missed.

Entering the NICU for the first time to see Kayleigh will never leave our minds. With wide eyes and a fear of not knowing what we were stumbling in on, nurses would direct us where to go and what to do. Walking up to Kayleigh's isolette to see her tiny hands reaching out in space to latch on to the first thing that touched them was a moment we will never forget. Over time, this entrance would be fun as we would make faces in the camera before the front desk attendant would open the doors, laughing with others in the background about how silly we were. May we laugh a thousand times, but this front entrance to the NICU will never be missed.

As we washed our hands before every visit, to washing them at home, or anywhere else will bring back the memories of washing them in this sink. These sinks have permanently scarred us for life. "Lather up, sing your alphabets twice or for two minutes and get some alcohol on the way out" are the words you read on a note right in front of your face. Every time I hear pipes rattle, I will think of the sink on the left. A day wouldn't go by where I would forget to tie the back of Aimee's gown, but reminded quickly with a deep clearing of her throat. These sinks will never be missed.

The hallways are filled with memories of those who resided before us. A photograph of the parents and their preemie(s). Some were in the NICU for weeks and some for months, but as I see them everyday, I am reminded of the time I told the not so positive neonantologist that Kayleigh will be on that wall someday. Even though he doubted me while saying she needed to get here first, I knew Kayleigh would leave that NICU one day and never be forgotten...No matter if she was on that wall or not. These walls will never be forgotten and they will also...never be missed.

This NICU was filled with many memories from the day Kayleigh was born, where she battled all of her ups and downs, and to this day as she leaves the NICU for her final time. We would not have wanted anyone to care for Kayleigh other than the doctors and nurses within these walls, and as this place will never be forgotten, it will never, EVER be missed.

God Bless,

The Freemans :)