The Pulmonologist

Today we had Ella's first appointment with her pulmonologist (lung doctor).  When we arrived the nurse had me take off Ella's nasal cannula and turn off her oxygen. She said the doctor would want to see how she would do without it. We then went to weigh her. My precious little girl is now 7lbs and 7oz! Hard to imagine that 19 weeks ago she was born weighing 1lb and .6oz. She has come such a long way already. After her weight check, we brought her back in the room and her oxygen saturation level was still in the high 90's to 100's.

The pulmonologist came in we discussed two things: oxygen needs and apnea monitor needs. He reported that the data we turned in from the apnea monitor showed zero instances of breathing apnea, but too many bradycardias (instances of Ella's heart rate dropping below 80 beats a minute). The bradycardias are simply a result of Ella's extreme prematurity. He said as she continues to develop she will grow out of the episodes. As a result, we will continue with the apnea monitor for another month. I was a little bummed to hear this news. The monitor alarms each time an episode occurs and a light remains lit until we physically clear the event by pressing a button on the monitor. Although I did not record the number of times I had cleared the monitor, I did not feel that we had done it 23 times. This month I will be recording each time I clear the monitor or a disconnect alarm goes off. We will turn in the data again on September 1st and evaluate from there.

Since Ella's oxygen saturation level stayed high when we were there the doctor gave us the go ahead to leave Ella off of her oxygen during the day! She will remain on 1/8 or 1/16 liter of oxygen at night. Going in, I had no idea what the weaning process would entail. I am both excited and nervous about this next step for Ella. Day after day she continues to prove how strong she is.

Sleeping soundly cannula-free!