Keepin' on

5/30/2012

I'm a little late with this post.  I didn't get to see the girls until later last night and needed to get in bed when I got home.

A couple of housekeeping notes when I set up the blog I just set up a simple template.  Heidi rightly pointed out that the blog was in blue but should be pink.  So I changed it, now we begin the process of me trying every possible shade of pink in order to find the RIGHT pink as defined by Heidi.

Evalyn and Lillian have stabilized.  Evalyn is being weened off the sedatives.  The diuretics are working and she isn't nearly as puffy anymore.  Lillian gained 20 grams. from yesterday and it seems to be an honest weight gain, not just water retention.

They both looked very relaxed and peaceful today.  So much so we didn't want to disturb them by reaching into the incubators.

They are both still on respirators (not the really scary kind) and their oxygen levels were higher than I'd hope.  Our main concern here is Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).  The longer they are on the respirators the more likely they are to end up with BPD.  BPD isn't as big a deal as it used to be but there would likely still be some long term deficits we want to avoid.


Along those same lines the doctors have asked if we would participate in an experiment looking at the effects of a light dosage of hydrocortizone  on reducing the inflammation of the lungs in an effort to prevent BPD.  Our doctor says the risks are low, but our girls could benefit (if they receive the treatment and not placebo). 


QUIZ TIME!  Each girl has a 50% chance of receiving the drug, so what is the probability of either one of them receiving the drug?  Click on your answer to see if you are right or not.


a. 50%
b. 100%
c. 75%
d. 25%


Heidi is moving around a bit better now but still has a long way to go.  She is getting twice daily injections of blood thinners for the blood clots in her leg.  She is loving those almost as much as she is loving the compression hose she has to wear now.  Let me tell you they are HOT! I'd post some pictures but then I'd have to list my blog as containing adult content.

Quiz detailed explanation: c  The probability of either Evalyn or Lillian receiving the experimental drug is calculated by the addition rule; P(Ev or Lil)= Pev + Plil - (Pev * Plil) or .5+.5-(.5*.5).  The probability of both Evalyn and Lillian receiving the drug is the intersection of the two or .25.