Two Days, Two Doctors

Here's the latest on our girl:

Yesterday Charlotte received her first shot of six (yes, six!) to prevent RSV. Synagis is the drug that helps prevent the virus, and it has to be given every 28 days during flu season, which apparently begins in October. Synagis is not a vaccine, but a dose of antibodies. And each injection costs $2,000.00 Again, thank you Lord for our health insurance!

Today we went back to Duke to visit with the otolarynologist to have Charlotte's vocal chords checked. One of the chords was paralyzed by the ventilator after her surgery, and she had the softest little cry for a while there. But if you've heard her cry lately, you know that the damage is minimal. So I felt like our trip today would be a waste, but you know doctors and their follow-ups. I held Charlotte while the doctor put a little camera-flashlight tube thing down her nose and throat to check things out. Sure enough, everything is fine. One of the chords is more active than the other, but still both are in good working order. And since it's always good to hear that she is healing well after her surgery, I'm glad we went.

The best part of both doctor visits was that both of these docs, who see their share of really sick babies, kept going on and on and on about how great Charlotte is doing. I could hear that all day! Of course we know that it's all due to God working a miracle in her little body.

The other great part of the visits was my office buddy, Sam. He was really great yesterday and today, which totally made up for the last time. Today was neat because Charlotte needed to eat right after her exam, and the Duke Clinic has the neatest courtyard. I sat on a bench while Sammer ran around and jumped off of a step onto some grass. It was so nice to be outside, feeding one baby and watching the other one play.

And just for fun, here are the latest stats on Charlotte:
She weighed in at 10lbs, 3oz this morning.
She is taking anywhere from 2 to 3 ounces consistently at each feeding.
She is only throwing up about once a week (instead of twice a day!), and we have eliminated one of her acid reflux meds.
She is wearing 3 month sizes in baby clothes.
Her oxygen sats are in the mid-80s.
She is sleeping like a champ - just up once in the night to eat and then right back to sleep.
She loves to smile and coo at everyone, especially Sam.
She still has a bald patch!

Y'all have a good one!