Rambling Rhodes

Casting Spells

Zoey hadn't had any deep apnea spells for the last four days, although occasional "dips" still occurred, which makes it sound like she quickly jumps into a swimming pool once in awhile.

Of course, today she started having apnea spells again, which were attributed to her being off caffeine, so she's now back on caffeine to compensate.

It's funny what you can get used to. I remember when Zoey had her first big apnea spell while I was also in the room. Her breathing, O2 saturation and heart rate numbers just dropped in an incredibly short span of time. It was all I could do from having a heart attack right there in her NICU room. I expected a team of doctors to come pouring into the room with resuscitation equipment and screaming instructions. Instead, a sole nurse casually entered the room and tickled Zoey's feet and likewise stimulated her to remind her to breathe. Within 20 seconds or so, Zoey's numbers came back up and I managed to fight back the urge to vomit in successive relieved waves.

After awhile, however, the apnea spells--including spells much more severe than the first one I witnessed--became oddly routine. In fact, I became attuned to the point where I could see an apnea spell coming on and I could take the initiative to tickle her feet preemptively so her numbers wouldn't fall so drastically.

Those apnea spells seemed like they were so far in the rearview mirror, even though it had only been shy of a week since she had her last big spells. And then suddenly today they're back again. We're never far from the next roller coaster drop, it seems.

She "dipped" a couple times as I held her in my arms tonight, but thankfully I'm to a point where I just encourage her with soft language and gentle rocking, rather than freaking, screaming for a nurse and losing control of my bowels.

Mostly.

Posted by Ryan at March 27, 2011 05:54 PM | TrackBack