Home Sweet Home

Yes, it is true we are home!  After 63 days in the NICU (and 65 days in the hospital for mom and dad) the Kahler family is home.  Ainsley was discharged on September 2nd, her two month birthday. 

The previous two nights we spent in the "family room" which the NICU calls "rooming in".  This means we do all the care for Ainsley, she is still on the monitors, but these monitors are placed outside the room.  The staff only comes in to take vitals and/or if there is a problem.  We were thankful for this opportunity as it made us more confident in our abilities to take care of Ainsley at home.

We are beginning to adjust to life outside the NICU.  Both of us (actually probably all three of us) feel like the house is so quiet.  We were very used to all the noise of the hospital. 

Since coming home we have had two doctors visits for Ainsley.  One was the basic appointment 48 hours after discharge to check her weight and see how she is doing in general.  She was doing great and had gained weight, she is 6lbs and 9 oz! 

The second appointment was made due to more blood in her stool.  We are still searching for the cause of this issue.  Some may remember from previous posts that this issue happened several times during our stay at the NICU and different items were eliminated from Ainsley's diet to try to determine the cause. 

As of our last doctors appointment (9/4) we are thinking it is most likely a milk protein intolerance.  So, the doctor suggested that Heather go off of all dairy products.  This has been tricky because dairy shows up in the ingredient list in many, many items.  So, after some research we are finding things that Heather can eat.  We are hopeful that this will make the difference for Ainsely.

Our main focus now is keeping Ainsley healthy.  The doctors have told us that one of our main concerns is going to be keeping her from getting sick.  As her lungs are still underdeveloped from being born so early, it will probably take up to 2 years for her to be at her full lung capacity. 

One of the biggest concerns will be a virus called Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).  A very common virus which leads to mild cold like symptoms in healthy adults and children, however to a preemie can be very dangerous.  Due to this, here at home we are also practicing very strict hand hygiene similar to that of the NICU. 

Also, we ask that when we do have visitors that if you have a sniffle, cough or any other sign of sickness that you please do not come by and not to bring young children for this first winter.  We can not be too safe during this first cold and flu season according to our doctors and nurses. 

For more info on RSV check out https://health.google.com/health/ref/Respiratory+syncytial+virus+(RSV)

Here are some pictures from the past few days:

 

One of the last pictures with Ainsley's NG tube.

Enjoying her hearing screening

Sleeping with Daddy

The door to the family room, how long we have waited to stay here!

Resting in the family room

Taking the "Car seat Challenge".  Ainsley sat in her car seat for an hour while hooked up to all the monitors.  The nurse checked her vitals every 15 minutes.  She passed, so we know she can breathe well in her car seat.

She promptly fell asleep in her car seat during the challenge.

Ainsley is just too cute!

In the car seat - ready to leave the hospital!

Driving home - enjoying the sunlight for the first time :-)

Ainsley's going to the doctor outfit

Kicking it with dad at home

Drying off after first bath at home.

Warming up after bath time

Ainsley loves being at home!