Friday, July 13, 2012

Day 17: Another good one!

Another good day... we're on a hot streak! Lily is still doing well on the nasal ventilator, which I learned today is a SiPAP, rather than a CPAP. Her oxygen is set at 45%, so they've been able to wean her down nicely since yesterday. She's up on her feeds, to 3.5mL/hr, and they are going to start fortifying her breastmilk with calories and proteins tomorrow. And no major de-stats!

A doctor approached me at the nicu and asked if I'd be interested in Lily taking part in a medical research study being run by Abbot Labs; the intent of the study is to research the effects of a new experimental breast milk fortifier that is supposed to help preemies gain weight more quickly. The control group gets the standard fortifier, which derives its protein from nonfat milk and whey protein, which provides 3g protein/100cal. The  experimental fortifier derives its protein from hydrolyzed casein (alimentum protein). It also has lutein and beta-carotene, extra vitamin D and added DHA.

It's a double blind randomized study, so we wouldn't know if lily is getting the control or experimental fortifier. The doctors said that 150 babies have been on the study so far. Sara and I are going to ask the doctors a few more questions tomorrow- either way, she'll be getting breast milk fortifier of some sort, which is great!

Lily looks much more comfortable on the SiPAP- she sleeps more, too. So, we have another good day behind us! The prayers are working, each one is a miracle breath... Thank you all!

4 comments:

  1. Just say no to experimental milk!!!

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  2. May Lily's dreams be sweet. Very glad to hear she's getting more of her beauty rest!

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  3. Answered prayers! Thank you God! We have Hartmann for the weekend and we (including Hartmann) thanked God for Lily in our bedtime prayer last night. So sweet to hear Hartmann say Lily! So tell Lily her cousin Hartmann is praying for her too! ~Janis

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  4. Wonderful news! You go Lily!!! Bravissima!!

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