Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Julia Readmitted; Braden Getting Better

The last 24 hours have seemed like an eternity. Julia was discharged last night at around 7pm, and finally saw home after nearly 7 weeks in the hospital. We were met at the house by friends who brought an amazing steak dinner, and walked into a living room that had been decorated for Christmas by a group of our best friends. Unfortunately, the stay home was brief. Julia woke up at 1:30am with a fever and chills, and after talking to our doctor, we decided to head back to the hospital. The likely culprit: the same bacterial infection that had triggered labor 5 days before. There was some confusion at the hospital about whether we should go to Labor & Delivery or the ER, since she was no longer pregnant but likely still suffering from postpartum-related issues. They ultimately decided to send us to the ER and rolled us into triage. By 5am, we were admitted into a room in the general care area of the hospital. The confusion hasn't subsided, as the nurses here don't understand why a patient still recovering from a a complicated C Section is not in postpartum. We're just hoping the fever breaks soon, and that there are no further complications. Maybe the most challenging part is that NICU policy prevents parents from seeing their babies until you've been fever free for at least 24 hours. Julia is of course antsy to see Braden, and not being able to do so has been emotionally draining (as if we need that drain to be any bigger).

After Julia was settled into the room around 5am, Brian walked down to the NICU to check on Braden. There had not been much change from the night before. Five sleepless hours later, we got a call from the neonatologist. It's always nerve-racking when we first hear from Braden's doctor, but this time she had good news! Julia mentioned a few days ago on a previous blog post that Braden had been trying to pull of the "sunglasses" that are protecting his eyes from the bili lamp. Well, last night Braden decided to pull out the tube going from the ventilator to his lungs. I'm sure it set off all kinds of alarms, but to the nurse's surprise, Braden started to breath on his own! They closely monitored him for a while, and decided to keep the ventilator and nitric support off. He's now on a device called a Si-PAP, which gives him a little extra oxygen, but he's doing the breathing himself rather than relying on a machine. This is absolutely incredible considering that only 2 days ago the doctors said they expected Braden to be on the oscillation ventilator for another 2 weeks. He is truly a fighter like mom and dad, and all of our prayers are being heard and answered. Keep them coming.

20 comments:

  1. Wonderful news about Braden...what a champ!!! Julia is in great hands and I'm sure this development has helped her even more. Stay strong, you guys are going to get through this. ~Kathryn

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brian & Julia,
    I just found out about what you guys have been going through (I know, a little late, but it takes a while for word to reach Dallas sometimes!). I'm so glad you guys had some good news today. What a miracle little Braden is! Hang in there you guys, I'll be sending some prayers to the Big Guy for strength and peace for all of you. -Julie

    ReplyDelete
  3. He pulled the tubes out with his own little hands? That's our fighter!

    Sorry you have a fever, Julia. I hope you can get rest during this anxious time. God bless you and feel better! - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is great news for Braden. I just know the huge circle of prayers are working. You have so many people asking for Braden to grow strong.

    Julia, I am so sorry you are back at the hospital. I miss you and hope to see you soon!

    Love, Marissa

    ReplyDelete
  5. Brian, Julia, and Braden,

    We're thinking of you constantly and truly amazed at the strength of your family!

    Tamra

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's such an awesome story about Braden, we're so thankful for the HUGE positive improvement! Now we just need mama to get better, so stay tough, get rest, eat cupcakes, and get better soon Julia! And Brian - keep being the incredible rock for your family. We love you guys!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is such exciting news! continued prayers for all of you - hope you are feeling better soon!

    ReplyDelete
  8. hang in there Julia & Brian. God is amongst you, even in your weakest of moments.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sidenote: I hope you know this ... you generate some crazy traffic. When I check this blog in the evenings it slows down my computer to a glacial pace!

    I also know you get crazy traffic because I have heard several people say "I just keep hitting refresh on their blog all day!"

    Thanks for keeping us all updated. We love you and we love to get updates. - Hil

    ReplyDelete
  10. That is such great news for Braden! I am still thinking about you guys all the time! -Blake

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is wonderful news about Braden! Julia, I hope you and Brian were able to have a more restful night and that your fever has subsided. Thinking and praying for you. Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hang in there, Huli and Bettsy. You two are incredibly strong. I'm so glad she had you, Brian, to advocate for her to get out of the cardio-pulmonary unit and into the hands of the right people in post-partum. They'll help her ward off this infection.

    Fantastic news about Braden! He is an activator, just like his mama, and opinionated, just like his daddy. He knew he didn't need that oscillator and moved on. I bet he looks like a miniature football player with his Si-Pap mask on. : )

    Let's go, Team Betts!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am so happy that you guys got some over-due good news about Braden! He's such a strong little boy! I am so sorry to hear that you are back in the hospital, Julia. I'm wishing you some good sleep in your own bed very soon! -- Dawkins

    ReplyDelete
  14. Absolutely incredible. Just to think, little Baby Braden, lying there thinking, "man, I want this tube to get out of my face." His tiny brain working to figure out how to make this happen, developing and commanding the motor skills to lift his hands up and push the tube out. He's going to be one smart kid, as he's already off to a great start!

    Julia - hang in there and get well soon. Thinking of you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am so thrilled to hear about Braden! Go you strong baby. Many prayers and much love are being called to all of you. Julia, I know you will be okay soon. I keep calling on the Angels (and now Al as a special angel), to remind Braden just why he wants to be here! Much love to you all.....Katherine T

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am sorry that Julia had a relapse, but so excited and happy for the news about Braden!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. That's great news about Braden!

    We're thinking of you guys!
    Johan, Ida, and Oliver

    ReplyDelete
  18. Keep the faith. I'm so proud of your courage, spirit, and tenacity. We love you so much!
    Nana

    ReplyDelete
  19. He's such a little fighter! Love that he's already deciding things! :o) Thinking about you guys all the time.

    Love -- Cousin Sarah

    ReplyDelete