Subjectivity

About that brain bleed. The advance from 3 to 4 isn't quite what it sounds like (unless it sounds like it's not devastating, in which case it's just what it sounds like). The part that technically qualified it as a 4 disappeared, and the doctor we spoke with that day said that she thought the bleed itself is actually a TWO. It's a ridiculously subjective thing, grading the bleeds. I don't think the various doctors have reached consensus on a single one of her ultrasounds. Sometimes I wonder if they agree on anything.

So, we've put aside for now the question of what's going on in Jane's noggin. The looming issue is actually lung damage from the ventilators. The lung damage will heal, it always does, but it can take until she's three to four years old to fully recover. She may have to be in the ICN longer than she otherwise would, and may come home with oxygen or some other breathing assistance. And she'll have loads of colds and be susceptible to flu and other respiratory issues for years. Naturally, she'll be coming home just in time for cold and flu season to get into full swing. Can we all agree not to discuss swine flu? Thank you.

Right now they're concentrating on fattening her up. She's up to 4 ccs of milk per feeding and in ten days they want her on full feeds (10-11 ccs per feed -- that about 1/3 of an ounce). She's already gaining weight -- she's all the way up to 2 lbs 1 ounce, the chubby thing.