Exciting Abby News

Written Wednesday Night, August 2nd 2006

Thursday has turned into a huge day. First of all, Abby’s eye exam is scheduled for 9AM. I noticed a few days ago that Abby’s pupil in her left eye doesn’t seem to constrict (get smaller) as much as her right eye when we turn on the lights or she opens her eyes. This is definitely cause for concern so we brought in Abby’s Neurosurgeon. After examining Abby he decided to order an MRI on Abby’s head so he can get a good picture of what we’re up against. We know that the left side of the brain controls the right eye and vise versa and the right side of her brain is the side that has the Grade IV brain hemorrhage so it would make sense that her left eye is having more difficulty than her right. A side bar benefit is that the neurosurgeon will be able to get a good idea for just how severe Abby’s brain hemorrhage is. Her eye doc will also be able to tell us a lot about Abby’s left tomorrow as well as how things are looking regarding the progression of the ROP.

The MRI requires Abby to be knocked out and have that horrible breathing tube stuck down her throat again. But we’re going to kill two birds with one stone here. While she’s knocked out, she’s going to get wheeled over to the operating room to get her G Tube put in. Yep…you heard right. The G Tube is going in tomorrow. So let’s recap: 9AM – Horrible, painful eye exam 10 – 11AM – breathing tube goes in, Abby gets knocked out and we get an MRI done 12 – 1PM – Abby stays knocked out, gets the G Tube put in.

After her G Tube surgery, Abby will be off her feeds for a few days and will have yet another IV put in. Once we get back up to speed on her milk feeding though, we’ll be close to going home.
We are extremely nervous for tomorrow with all that is happening but we will get a lot of answers as well. We’ll get some answers on her eyes, her brain, and get the G Tube put in. Needless to say, we’re all very anxious.

Prayers prayers prayers friends. Please! We’re almost there.
We love you
Ryan and Kelly

PS – Abby weighed in last night at exactly 5 lbs!!!!