Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Update on Faith and Makaila 12

Since our last entry, not much has changed with Faith and Makaila which is good news. Makaila continues to do really well on CPAP and has had a cuddle with Karyn almost every day she has been at the hospital. Late last week Makaila had an MRI done as she is part of a research project that studies the brain development of premature infants. We are very fortunate to be able to be a part of this study because there are only a few neurologists in the world that specialize in infant neurology (like maybe 8) and Canada has one and he is one of the best and is at BC Children's hospital. The MRI incubator cart they put Makaila is the only one in Canada and is worth $400,000. We are so fortunate to have this kind of care for free! Makaila did really well throughout the MRI, sleeping through it all. Karyn was able to find out the results within an hour of the MRI and we have been told that everything looks great. The doctor doing the MRI said he saw more fluid between her brain and the inside of her scull then he thought there would be, but said it was not something to be concerned about and they would simply monitor it in the MRI's to come.

Faith is not yet ready for an MRI because she hasn't been stable for long enough and their priority for her is to get her off the ventilator. Faith was taken off the oscillator late last week and has been doing well on the ventilator's conventional setting (she got to have a cuddle with Mom a few days ago). They have continued the process of weaning her off of the ventilator and she has done well on the lower breathing rate and lower oxygen levels. Today they started administering caffeine (yes, our girls are already coffee drinkers) to get her breathing rate up and steroids to keep her lungs strong. This is all in preparation for tomorrow afternoon when they hope to transfer her to CPAP. We are really excited and very nervous at the same time. When they have tried Faith on CPAP in the past she has not lasted more than 30 minutes and it has been very traumatic for her and for Karyn and I. Faith has been doing really well in the last week or so, so we hope that this time she goes on CPAP, it will be for a much longer time so she can learn to breath on her own and grow her lungs. This possibility excites us greatly! Please pray for Faith as she goes on CPAP tomorrow (Tuesday), that she will be able to stay on it until she doesn't need it anymore.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers!

Blessings,

Graham

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello, my name is Leanne Reimer, and I'm married to Colin Reimer. We went to CBC together, I believe. Just wanted to let you know that we had a traumatic beginning with out little one - he was a 28 weeker, and as I'm reading this blog, my eyes are full of tears for you. It's tough - the hardest 3 months of our lives. I'm super glad that you've had cuddles already - it's the only place I wanted to be! If you want to ask us any questions or if you need any support, feel free to email crazyreimers@yahoo.ca.

Melissa said...

Dear Karyn and Graham,
I hope that Faith's CPAP went well today. I didn't get a chance to read your blog until this evening, so I didn't get a chance to specifically pray over this, but I am confident you had a prayer from others:) Our family will continue to uphold you all in prayer, and ask our Father God to give Faith more opportunities with CPAP that are sucessful and progressive, and that Makaila's MRI's will continue to come back great!
Many blessings,

Anonymous said...

Hi Guys. Our joy increases with yours. We love reading your news and continue to pray and thank God for his goodness.
Love,
The Krikke Family

Anonymous said...

Hi Karyn (and Graham),
I don't know what to say--you're on a road that I hardly dare to imagine, and yet...twins...the stakes are so high, if they pull through, what an incredible blessing!

-Aidan

Anonymous said...

Dear Karyn and Graham,

We hope that the CPAP went well for Faith today. We will be praying for her to grow stronger and stronger. We will also be lifting Makaila up in prayer for her strength and growth. Praise God for the cuddles...may God bless you and your girls in those very special moments! Your family is in our prayers.

Love Patrick, Kara, Anika and Logan