A quick update since I have time

Hello all.
Well, since Little Edwin is in his swing enjoying the rhymic motion and Serena is in her chair sleeping like a princess, and Daddy and Uncle Ramon are watching boxing on Showtime, I figured I would come write while I had a chance. I've been reading up on our micropreemie friend's blogs, especially the older archived posts about their NICU days. I can't help but be curious about other micropreemie's courses, since they are all different yet have many similarities. I figured I would write some brief overviews in case people don't have time to read all of my older NICU day updates.

Mom hospitalized at 23 and 2/7 weeks pregnant. 3 centimeters dialated at admission. Received both doses of steroid treatment.

Serena "A Twin"
Gestational age 23 weeks and barely 5/7ths...(born at 3:18am on the 5th day)
Born by emergency C-Section. Breech
Birth weight:
1 lb 3.2 ounces 12" long. Lowest weight 14 ounces.
Respiratory:
No oscialltor. Conventional vent until Nov. 16 (48 days) Stayed on CPAP after first attempt. Never returned back to conventional vent.
CPAP until Nov. 28 (12 days) onto nasal canula
Currently on nasal canula at 300 cc. a little more than 1/4 liter O2
Treated with one short course of steroids (Dex)
PDA:
PDA ligated after attempts of Ibuprophen (first time used at the NICU they were at originally worked, and later failed when ductus reopened)
IVH:
Bilateral Grade II. IVH resolved. "Echogenisis" detected on head ultrasound (not sure of implications, not definitely being called PVL or anything other than an "echo"
ROP:
ROP stage 2/3 zone 2, some zone 1, no plus disease. Treated with laser surgery
Other issues:
"Referred" in left ear on hearing exam. Follow-up appointment next week

NICU Stay:
122 days

Edwin "B Twin"
Gestational age- 23 and (barely 5/7ths...born at 3:20am on the 5th day)
Born by emergency C-section. Breech
Birth weight:
1 pound 3.6 ounces 12" long
Respiratory:
Oscillator Sept. 29-October 29 (30 days) Came off oscillator only after first steroid dose given at 28 days old.
Conventional Vent until Nov. 27th (29 days after coming off the oscialltor)
Made it to CPAP on Nov. 27th Stayed on CPAP after first attempt; never returned to conventional vent.
CPAP until second week of December (not sure of the date) onto nasal canula
2 courses of steroids (Dex), currently on Pregnisolone at 2.5 mls every other day
Currently on nasal canula 500 cc aka 1/2 liter O2
PDA:
PDA ligated after 1st dose of Indocin originanly closed the ductus, but it reopened after a couple weeks
IVH:
At first called a grade II IVH, but later called a grade I. Resolved itself
ROP:
ROP stage 3 mostly zone 2, some zone 1 and plus disease. Treated with laser surgery
Other issues:
Reflux medicated with Reglan and Pepsid. Currently only on Pepsid
Follow-up renal ultrasound for calcification
NICU stay:
122 days



I know these are the issues I read about in other people's blog so I figured in case anyone else was interested they could easily read the main issues Serena and Edwin faced as 23 weekers. If anyone has similar or different issues related to extreme prematurity please share. Thanks!