An Emotional Week

I intended to post a lengthy update to the blog today, but just don't have it in me. It's been a long week - but I do want to give you all a quick update. Here goes:

Joey's abscess came to a head on Wednesday and it was lanced by the same ENT that did Sam's. Due to the location of the head, he was able to put the incision in a much less conspicuous spot, so hopefully he won't have any visible scars. He's back to his charming self and will be moved back into the room with his brothers today. We're very relieved.

Since it is more than a coincidence that 2 of our boys developed the same abscess in the same spot, the NICU staff - particularly Dr. Vitale - has done some research and consulted with several MRSA experts. We ended up testing my breast milk for MRSA - and it has come back positive. ALL of it - even the GALLONS stored in the NICU freezer. (I'm guessing we have about 10-15 gallons of frozen breast milk that may have to be thrown away.) The experts say that the milk should be sterile unless I have an internal infection (for which I have no symptoms) - so the most likely cause is that I have MRSA on my skin. We're all undergoing treatment to de-colonize MRSA(antibiotic ointment in our noses, oral antibiotics and an antibacterial wash for Tim and I to use in the shower). We'll test my milk again next week to see if the treatments have had any effect. In the meantime, I feel defeated. The ONE thing I can provide for our kids while they're in the NICU has made them sick and it can't be used. We're looking into pastuerization, but I'm not hopeful that this will pan out. Its so hard to see all my hard work and emotional investment go down the drain.

Some very good news: Sam may be ready to come home the week after next - and Henry shouldn't be far behind. Tom and Joe will require more time in the NICU. Tom's chest x-rays and oxygen requirements are pointing toward Chronic Lung Disease. I need to find out more info on that. Preemies that have this tend to have issues with asthma and other pulmonary issues down the road. He's getting breathing treatments (started yesterday) for that and we'll see how he responds. Since Joey was on similar oxygen support before this mess with his abscess, he may also have chronic lung disease, but we'll need more time to determine this, as he just got off the ventillator yesterday.

So given that Sam and Henry are close to being ready for discharge, we've started the ball rolling with the discharge nurse in the NICU. We met with her for 2 hours this week and have made plans for CPR training with Mom, Pat & Don since they will be helping us out when we bring the kids home. (Jen Morris - do you have CPR training? We might be able to hook you up when you get here...I'll have to investigate...)

Anyway, to say the least, it's been a hell of an emotional week. Sure, the breast milk thing isn't life threatening like so many of the issues the boys have faced. But after 6 weeks of life in the NICU with 4 babies and all the stress we've dealt with so far, this was the proverbial straw that broke my back this week. We'll get through this, I'm sure. But - wow - it's amazing just how much one family can be tested, isn't it? I have to remind myself that we're only given what we can handle...and that I need to live up to the "handling" end of that deal. Thanks everyone for all your love and support!

Love,
Tim, Kristin & the boys