NICU Reunion

Yesterday we had Olivia’s NICU reunion. My parents went with us too. It was fun! It was at the Vilas Zoo in Madison, and there were many Doctors and Nurses from the NICU there. They hadn’t had a reunion like this in 10 years, and didn’t expect such a large turn out! There were over 2,000 NICU graduates and their families there! It was so nice to see many of the wonderful people who cared for our little girl, and really us too, for her first 4 months! While we were there we ran into some other people we didn’t expect to see there. My friend from high school, whose daughter spent a few days in the NICU about a year ago, was there. It was really good to see you Kellie! It had been quite a long time!! We also saw our old neighbors from out apartment. I had forgotten that their son also spent a few days in the NICU when he was born. We also saw my mom’s friend from work, Jane, whose grandson spent some time in the NICU when he was born. Check out some of the photos.

Our family photo at the reunion.

Chris was one of the nurses who came with Dr. Weinstein to pick Olivia up at Fort Atkinson Hospital the day she was born.




Don't let Olivia's face fool you, she really does like Dr. Hogden, as do her parents.




This is Olivia with Laura, the nurse who let me hold Olivia for the first time on Valentine's day.




Dr Bussey was Olivia's primary Neonatologist. We ran into her on our way out so as you can see on Olivia's face, she's pooped out!

Olivia also saw the pulmonologist on Friday. We really like Dr. Green! He said she looks good and her lungs sound good. He wants us to try to work on getting rid of the Apnea/Heart Rate Monitor – EEK! It never goes off, but it gives us a sense of security. We had already tapered back to only using it at night, but getting rid of that too, is a little scary! Her oxygen levels are good, but not good enough yet to reduce her oxygen. That will come in time though.

Dr. Green also wants Olivia to see the Endocrinologist. Olivia has been on Steroids since she was only two weeks old to help her lungs. Because the body suppresses its own natural production of steroids when it is given steroids like this, she can’t just be taken off the steroids. They will have to be very gradually tapered, and her body’s natural steroid levels will have to be monitored to be sure it picks back up and does its job creating steroids. We have that appointment next week.

What a happy girl!