The Beautiful Cayman Cindy

Tuesday March 25
3:15 p.m.
O.T. came this afternoon to work with Cayman again. Mike and I made sure we were there for the appointment since yesterday's did not go well. We weren't there for the appointment yesterday and we thought maybe Cayman would do better if we were with her since she knows us. Cayman blew the occupational therapist (Heather) away today. She said Cayman's sucking response was 180 degree difference than it was yesterday. It's still not where it should be but it's close. The plan is to give her a bottle tomorrow and see how she handles it. We're so excited! Heather gave Daddy and I "homework". She showed us how to work with Cayman to encourage sucking as well as some arm, wrist, and finger exercises for her. Cayman always keeps her wrists turned inward, and her arms bent at the elbow, as well as her left thumb is always tucked into her fist. Heather is going to make custom splints for Cayman's wrists and thumbs so that her muscles don't become shortened since she keeps them flexed so tight.

We talked to Cayman's main Neonatologist today (Dr. Lindsey). Right now the plan for discharge is this weekend. We're so thrilled!! Of course Daddy has to work so it's sad he may miss Cayman's homecoming but it'll be great for him to drive home and we'll be there!! Tomorrow she'll be up to her full feedings through her G-tube. That'll be 24 ml an hour. Once she reaches that she'll be taken off her IV feedings.

I love reporting our good news!!Daddy teaching Cayman to suck - one of the techniques the Occupational Therapist gave us to do with her

Cayman and Mommy snuggling

8:00 p.m.
Daddy and I gave Cayman a bath tonight all by ourselves. We're starting to get more comfortable with moving her and picking her up ourselves. It's been awkward and still is some because her head is large and not perfectly round like a normal newborn's.

Sometimes there is so much going on I forget to write about some things. Thank you Jennifer for asking about her head size. Two nights ago Cayman's head was measured at 43 cm. She was born with it at 48 cm. So quite a difference. Holding her is easier since her head is smaller than it was. 43 cm is still large for a newborn girl. The Neurosurgeon said her head will be large and maybe one day she'll grow into it, but not to expect it to become the normal size for a baby girl. A couple of her sutures (skull bones) in her head override each other. This override is visible on her left side of the head and in the back of the head. We haven't talked to the Neurosurgeon yet about this so we're not sure if the bones will eventually place themselves where they should be or what will happen. This poor little kiddo...she's doing so well but she has such a long road ahead of her. Just because she's doing so well, please don't stop praying for her. Her coming home is not the end of things. She'll have an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, possibly home nursing care, we have to find a Neurologist to evaluate her brain development, as well as all her other doctor check-ups with her belly surgeon, and her Neurosurgeon. The MRI shows that Cayman has brain damage. How severe it is we don't know. Only watching her as she grows and develops will answer how mild or severe her handicaps will be. So please please keep praying for our baby!