introduction
Leslie Francis (lfrancis@tenet.edu)
Tue, 12 Mar 1996 21:40:06 -0600 (CST)
Hi ... My name is Leslie Francis. I gave birth to 31 weekers on
1-18-96. I had premature rupture of the membranes in November (a slow
leak) and was put on home bedrest until 27 weeks and hospitalized from
27-31. I was on brethine and selestone. At 31 weeks (with no warning!)
I went into labor that couldn't be stopped. I gave birth to Jennifer
(3-12) and Jordan (3-7.5). Both were well at birth (breathing room air
on their own). One week later Jordan started having breathing problems
and was put on nasal CPAP. Two weeks later Jennifer started having
breathing problems and was put on the oxygen hood. Both had chest xrays
showing very badly damaged lungs. Neither were ever intubated. We are
at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston (one of the best children's
hospitals in the country) with an enormous number of doctors who cannot
diagnose what has happened!!! Both kids have been on 45% oxygen for over
a month. Jennifer last week crept down to 33% and Jordan inched up to
66%. Finally, Jordan had an open lung biopsy yesterday ... major surgery
for a little guy. He is now an a respirator. We are anxiously awaiting
a report of the findings. Jennifer was moved today to a nasal cannula
and is doing great so far.
Tomorrow will be 8 weeks in NICU. It is a hell of a ride!! I also have
a son that was born at 42 weeks and weighed 9 pounds! Never will an NICU
parent take for granted how amazing a successful birth is and a healthy
newborn!!! Breathing, sucking, and growing are wonderful things!!
Leslie Francis