12 days old

The initial results of Charlotte's spinal tap showed something growing. It could be a contaminant, which is what they're leaning toward, it could be whatever virus is in the rest of her system since preemies don't compartmentalize these things, it could be an actual spinal fluid infection, but they won't know for sure for a day or two when the bacteria growth is big enough that they can look at it under a microscope.

It could also be Necrotizing enterocolitis, where portions of the bowel undergo tissue death caused by a pneumatosis (gas in the bowel wall). It's mainly sseen in preemie infants from some sort of bacteria passing through the bowel wall. They definitely think they saw the gas in her last few x-rays (she gets them every 6 hours, but may have caught it early enough that no permanent damage was done, if that indeed is what was causing Charlotte's problems). The bacteria from an infected bowel could just be running through her whole system, so either way she's now on a triple course of broad spectrum antibiotics and no food by mouth for at least 7 days.

I did get to hold her today, wearing a robe and gloves, and she was eager to suckle my finger - maybe an empty belly was good stimulus to get her inspired. She was wide-eyed and moving around for most of the time, which was good to see.

Lilah continues to sprint along, gaining weight and giving us the occasional giant smile (which I know means that she's pooping but we find adorable anyway). She also passed her hearing test today - way to keep up the streak, little one!