Complications

The vast education and training an MD receives may actually be more focused on complications. Procedures themselves are fairly straightforward. What can happen after a procedure is wide ranging and complicated.

After Judy’s procedure that would drain her kidney of the backed up fluid, her doctors watched her closely. She showed some signs of complications and so was admitted. Over the next several days they chased the symptoms with test after test and drug after drug. Christmas was approaching and we were anxious to get home. Day after day, all the tests were negative. It was decided that we could go home for Christmas, but must return the following Monday so they could continue to monitor her. We went home Christmas eve and spent the next 4 days with our family.

The following Monday morning we were back in the hospital where would stay for another 6 days. All the same tests continue to be negative for any serious complications. Given Judy’s medical issues, they can’t be too careful. Several symptoms of possible complications persist, but with negative results we head home again.

During this stay before and after the New Year, daily reports from St. Joe’s point toward an early release of our twin girls. The girls have been thriving and with no complications. All of the doctors and nurses at the NICU are amazed by their progress. They are very close to meeting the requirements for discharge: self-maintaining of body temperature, gaining weight and eating full meals by bottle. These are two very strong little girls indeed. Not only did they survive a very turbulent beginning with many dangerous tests and medications, but they thrived almost as if they were full term.

However, with Judy being in and out of the hospital, the prospect of having the girls home so soon raised much concern. How would we continue to find enough help to watch Leo AND two newborn twin premies?