Frustation!

Mike received report today that Flara, who has always needed 21-24% oxygen, suddenly overnight needed 35-40% oxygen. This raised my curiosity because it's completely out of character for Flara. So, I called back this afternoon to talk to one of Flara's beloved primary nurses whom I trust. I wanted to know if she had any explanations given to her from the night nurse. The only information I knew is that Flara has not been getting her primaries on the night shift, except only occasionally, and she had a newer nurse last night. Hmm... The purpose of primaries is that they, in taking repeated care of a baby, get to know that baby extremely well. So, if something happens and seems uncharacteristic, they are able to better identify and troubleshoot what is wrong. Also, it allows for less stress on parents because we form bonds with these nurses and come to trust them. So, I asked our day nurse if it was a matter of Flara getting sick (always a possibility), or the chance that this newer nurse, not knowing Flara and her typical little oxygen drops, just kept cranking up her oxygen. She expressed to me that she believed my concerns over the gal being newer and not knowing Flara probably had more to do with it than anything. She told me that when she came on, Flara's cpap mask was not very secure on her nose. She readjusted it, and immediately turned Flara back down to 22% oxygen. The doc, seeing the charting, had concern that perhaps Flara's PDA (heart murmur... I'll leave it at that without a lengthy explanation) had reopened and thought maybe she needed another heart echo. Her nurse explained what happened and that she felt it was probably more a matter of an ill-fitting mask than anything. Clinically, Flara has given us no other indication that her PDA had reopened. So, no echo was done, Flara is back to her normal settings... but, I'm still a bit irked. I want my primaries!!!! Having been a new nurse in the NICU once myself, I know these gals need to learn. However, I don't want mistakes with my baby. I've decided I'm just going to have a chat with the charge nurse tonight and express my concerns. I know Flara is stable and doing well, but I don't want her suffering (more likely her eyes) because someone didn't think to troubleshoot the equipment before cranking the oxygen up. Grrr.

I had told myself beforehand that I will not be a difficult NICU mommy. It's never fun to deal with someone complaining, so Mike and I have been very gracious to everyone taking care of Flara. But, I'm her mommy and I have to look out for her. I'm going to direct my conversation more at concern over Flara not getting her primaries, and not take a complaining tone towards anyone who is taking care of her. I know it's a hard job, and it never makes it easier to have someone questioning your actions. I just hate to have to say anything. It's just not my character. I typically just keep quiet, but I think today is the day I have to speak up. Oh, to have a backbone!

Okay, enough of that. She is still doing extremely well, so I can't complain. =) She gained 1/3 of an ounce last night, still is doing well with her feeds, and her lab work keeps coming back very good. As a type, she is probably in the midst of getting a follow-up head ultrasound to see how her head bleed is doing. I hear, too, she is feisty. Her primary today asked if Noël was a feisty one. I just laughed. Sounds like I'm going to have two fireballs on my hands! But, then, we named her Flara... which means fire! We had it coming! =)