January 26, 2009

Yellow

So much to say......but for now I am thinking of only one thing. That Zane would be healthy.

He developed pathologic hemolytic jaundice shortly after birth. This type of jaundice is much more rare than the common physiological jaundice often seen in newborns. His particular case is caused by him having A+ blood (already an A student!) and my having O+ blood. Some of my antibodies entered his bood stream during the birth and began breaking down his red blood cells causing elevated bilirubin levels.

In the hospital the tests showed that his body was doing its best to respond by making new red blood cells but it is a slow process and his levels were steadily increasing. He remained under "bili-lights" and on a bili-blanket for the three days we were there. We also supplemented his feedings with donor breast milk in an effort to flush more bilirubin from his system. On his last day in the hospital the levels began to stabilize and even decrease slightly.

Yesterday, our first day home, we took him back to be re-tested. His levels had increased again but had remained below the level where treatment is critical.

Today, he is more yellow and a little more sleepy, both signs that his bilirubin may be on the rise again. We are bringing him in this afternoon for testing again.

I am a wreck. I hate that he has been poked and prodded and messed with every day of his little life, I hate that he might need those damn lights again (he HATES them!), I hate that I can't just settle in at home for two consecutive days and love on my boy without interference - but mostly I hate that anything might possibly be wrong with him. I am a crying, worrying mess over here just thinking about it.

Please send lots of prayers, good vibes, thoughts, whatever you've got we'll take it - for Zane to be healthy, for his levels to be coming down, and for his momma to be strong.

p.s. I know this is hardly on the scale of really scary stuff - but for me....well, it's big, and it is freaking me out. I just desperately want him to be ok.

4 comments:

Denise said...

Sending you and Zane all the positive, healing vibes I can muster! I know how you feel just wanting him to be healthy and left alone. I know you said this type of jaundice is more rare, but it sounds like they treat it the same way? If his levels are up again today, will they send you home with a blanket? Bayla was on the blanket for 24 hours at home and then she was fine after that. I know it is different, but just trying to give you hope that this can clear up quickly. You deserve to enjoy your baby boy without worrying about this! Hang in there. Remember you are also dealing with crazy hormones right now, so be easy on yourself.

Lori Lavender Luz said...

You're getting Denise's vibes in stereo now.

Thinking of you and Zane.

annacyclopedia said...

Sending you both healing energy and my wishes for this to come to a speedy and easy resolution so you can get on with the important business of falling even deeper in love with each other.

Anonymous said...

I've been following your blog for a while, but have never commented. My daughter was born in October with B+ blood and I have O+, so I know exactly what you are feeling. Just remember that everything will be ok and you are doing everything right! He'll be fine in a few days/weeks and this will be a fun (haha) story to tell.

Congrats!!!