10.02.05: 8 months old and our first bug

Avery and Mason experienced their first bug since coming home from the NICU. Fortunately, the cold never reached their lungs (both boys had chest xrays) and it didn't knock them back too far. It was still scary enough to make us realize just how important it is to keep these guys as healthy as can be over the winter.

Our pediatrician felt it was a good idea to administer a round of steroids for Avery. It did seem to help him a bit, and we hope it has given his lungs a little boost. His appetite seems a little better, even after discontinuing the steroids. He lost 8 ounces in less than a week while he was sick, but has already gained all of that back and is right about 11 lbs.

Mason didn't lose weight during the cold, but he didn't gain any either. He still weighs just over 16 pounds. Mason recovered from his cold fairly quickly after a few days of nasty congestion and a cough that sounded like his insides were coming out. He also had his first ear infection and was on antibiotics for 10 days.

We received the results from Mason's recent head ultrasound and were relieved to learn that he does not have hydrocephalus. He does have extra axial fluid, which is sometimes referred to as "benign hydrocephalus", but it usually resolves itself. Regardless, Mason has been referred to a neurologist who will continue to keep an eye on his head and brain.

We're now officially hitting "RSV season". Most babies contract RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) before the age of two, and the symptoms for a healthy baby are usually similar to that of an average cold. For a micropreemie with a compromised respiratory system, RSV can be life threatening. For this reason, Mason and Avery will both receive shots (once a month from Oct thru April) that reduce the severity of the symptoms of RSV if they happen to catch it. The shots will be administered by a nurse in our home. It is also highly recommended that we keep them away from indoor public places, or from visitors who have been exposed to any illness. Purell has become our new best friend. It will be tough to be so isolated for the entire fall/winter, but we know that it is for the best. We will most likely have to follow these same guidelines next RSV season.

Both of the boys have been developing in so many ways. Every day we look forward to witnessing something new that they are discovering about themselves or their environment. I'll save the details for a future journal entry. For now, we're just happy that Mason and Avery are back to themselves again.