Kendra is two weeks old and weighs
920 grams. Today was the first attempt at extubation (removal
of the ventilation directly to her lungs). At 12:00 noon, the
NICU staff removed the tube and replaced it with a 'short tube'
(NPT). The short tube only entered the back of her throat, and
did not go directly into her lungs.
It was a struggle for Kendra.
She did not do well and had numerous apnea spells. During the
time I was there, she had three spells where her breathing ceased.
We had to 'shake her' many times to get her to breathe again.
It was a very traumatic experience.
At 7:00 pm, the ventilation tube
to her lungs was replaced. The doctor advised that they would
try again once she had reached her birth weight, of 1040 grams.
April 4, 1994
Again, the 'long' tube to Kendra's
lungs was removed and replaced with an NPT tube. Kendra faired
better this time.
April 8, 1994
Unfortunately, they had to replace
the ventilation long tube today. She was getting too tired and
not gaining weight.
April 11, 1994
Kendra is almost one month old
now. Today they tried her again on the NPT tube.
I have still not been allowed
to hold Kendra. They tell me that once the tubes are gone, I will
have the chance.
April 18, 1994
Today Kendra breathed without
assistance from 12 midnight until 4:00 am. At 4:00 am they said
they would replace the NPT tube, as she might be tiring.
At 8:00 am I arrived at the NICU.
The NPT tube was still out. The nurse advised that Kendra had
been doing so well that they left the tube out. Hooray!
Today was the first day that I
took pictures of Kendra.
April 19, 1994
Today was the first day that I
was allowed to hold Kendra, outside the isolette (incubator).
She fell asleep in my arms.
April 21, 1994
Kendra 'graduated' to the level
II nursery today (no more intensive care!)
May 6, 1994
Kendra was transferred to Peel
Memorial Hospital in Brampton, Ontario at 2:00 am. She was placed
in the level II (special care) nursery there. Peel Memorial is
only a 20 minute drive away now.
May 19, 1994
Today Kendra was diagnosed with
level III retinopathy of prematurity. I never received a real
explanation as to why it wasn't detected until now. Kendra will
be seen by a doctor at Toronto's Sick Children's Hospital eye
clinic, in the next day or two.
May 25, 1994
Kendra went into cardiac arrest
today. During a vitamin feeding she choked and stopped breathing.
The nursery called a 'code red' and the emergency staff came to
her rescue. I was taken into the next room while they tried to
get you to breathe again (CPR). What a relief to hear her cries!
It seemed like an eternity, but it was only about 5 or 10 minutes.
