It is almost midnight here. Here is the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where I have been working for the past month. Tomorrow, I get to drive to Milwaukee to begin a month long rotation in the Pediatric Emergency Department at the Childrens Hospital there. I am on call tonight, so I get to 'ring in the new year' with my little friends. Let me introduce a few of them to you...
There's A -- born at 37 weeks. That makes her full term. Her 19 year mom came into the ER complaining of back pain. What? I'm pregnant? Can't be! A few hours later A was born. She ended up in the Neonatal Unit because her mom had not received any prenatal care and had smoked pot 5 days a week, and drank several times a week during the pregnancy.
A was doing fine until a few weeks ago when she developed an infection beneath her left jaw line. Cultures grew out community-associated MRSA (Methicillin-Resistent Staphylococcus Aureus). It's been rough, but she's doing better.
There are two sets of twins -- both boys. Both were born at about 30 weeks. They are doing quite well. One pair are out of their isolettes in open cribs. I had the pleasure of tying off 6th digits at the base of the pinkies of the other set of twins. They weren't digits really, more like skin stubs.
There's K -- born at 26 weeks at 2 and half pounds. She was one of a set of a twins too. Unfortunately, her sister died on day of life two. Both twins suffered from twin-to-twin transfusion. K has had a rough course, developing a heart disease of unknown origin. That is getting better.
There are lot's more, but these are a few that I have shared life with this past month, and get to bring in the new year with.
Happy New Year, little angels. I pray that the new year is a new lease on life for all of you.
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