Kymani NICU Update 7/2 - 7/3/2017: Photos, Progress, & Daily News

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

All Images   7/2 - 7/3/2017 © Lyn Lomasi & Richard Rowell; All Rights Reserved

Find out how Kymani is doing in the NICU on 7/2 and 7/3/2017 via the photos, slideshows, and info below! Is she closer to going home?

How's Kymani Doing With Feeding & Weight Gain?

Kymani continues to gain weight daily. That's very good, since consistent weight gain is one of the goals needed to make it home. There isn't a target weight, but rather she should have a consistent track record, which she does.

Our little fighter is getting better at feeding every day. She finishes some bottles already, which is amazing for a baby at her stage. Bottle feeding and breastfeeding is alternated. When she does breastfeeding, she gets her measured feeding via the tube as well, just to make sure she gets the amount prescribed. She has stayed latched on through a few entire feedings like this.

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More images in slideshows below the text

When Does Kymani Get To Go Home?

Kymani has these main goals to meet before she can go home:

• No BRADY Events For Five Days In A Row
• Consistent Weight Gain
• Consistently Finishing All Bottle Or Breast Feedings

Oh my goodness! She is almost there. Her last BRADY was on June 28th and she gains weight consistently. So, she mostly needs to be completing all of her feedings, which she is getting closer to. When she doesn't finish the bottles, not much has been left. She's getting close!

Remember to enter the bonus guessing contest on when Kymani gets to go home!

Kymani Got Two Packages July 3rd!

On July 3rd, Kymani received two packages! The first package was from Grandma Rowell. That one contained two preemie gowns and some preemie mittens, all sized appropriately to her current weight. She will be able to wear these until she's about 7 pounds.

The second package was from mommy and daddy. That one contained three side snap preemie onesies that are easier to get around her feeding tube and monitor wires while in the NICU. It also contained two preemie pajamas that have similar features. She wore one of the side snap onesies the evening of July 3rd because mommy put it on her so that it would be easier for the nurses when it was time to weigh her at midnight.

Kymani's Package Contents

All Images   7/2 - 7/3/2017 © Lyn Lomasi & Richard Rowell; All Rights Reserved

More images in slideshows below the text

Other News

Kymani is also now back off of the oxygen support. She was having frequent oxygen desaturation during feedings before. This is normal for premature infants. However, that has slowed down to minimal or zero of these small events during her feedings. So, she doesn't need that extra help anymore.

As we have mentioned in prior posts, it's normal for preemies to go on and off oxygen as they grow. This will not affect whether she can go home or not, as oxygen support can be done at home, if necessary. We obviously hope that isn't the case, but simply want to let people know so they are not alarmed if it does happen.

Nova is getting better and better at being patient during the hospital stay. This has got to be hard on a toddler with so much energy. To help, we have been taking her to the park that is behind the hospital whenever she needs to run. Sometimes, that is multiple times in a day. Nova really likes nature and running. So this is essential.

Back to Kymani, she has been more and more alert every day, studying all of us. July 3rd has been her most alert day yet. During her 9 p.m. feeding, she was alert before, during, and after the feeding. Prior to that, she would fall asleep during or after feedings. So, she just might be closer to going home than we think!

Remember that with preemies, things change day by day. So, we likely won't know her going-home date until it's here. A preemie's plan of care is renewed daily. That means that when she is ready, it will be a surprise even to us!

Thanks to everyone who has been following along. We really appreciate your support. Please continue to send those positive vibes. It's working!

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Photos of Kymani & Nova From 7/2/2017

All Images   7/2 - 7/3/2017 © Lyn Lomasi & Richard Rowell; All Rights Reserved

Photos Of Nova & Kymani From 7/3/2017

All Images   7/2 - 7/3/2017 © Lyn Lomasi & Richard Rowell; All Rights Reserved

Keep an eye on the blog for more of Kymani's journeys!