Jared's Home

Jared came home on Sunday April 12th. We've been late in posting the news because of course it's been too crazy to sit at a computer for any length of time (twitter is superior to blogging in this regard - I've been tweeting progress reports the whole time). First couple days we're not bad and we thought we were heading toward having a good system. The last couple of days have been rough because the twins are constipated / gassy / refluxish and grunt or cry pretty much all night - chaos. Everyone is cranky - so if you call and we bark please excuse us :)

Blake is Home

Blake came home yesterday - wish I could say it was perfect, but Dylan woke up at 4:00am the night before and I had to hang out w/ him from 4-6:30am. I ended up catching a little bug. I've been sick 3 times in the 2 months the twins have been in the NICU!

Jen went to the NICU around 2pm and Dylan, Mrs. Chu and I followed soon after. Since I couldn't go into the NICU w/ my sickness Dylan and I went looking for ambulances - we ended up at the snack machine and I bought him some kettle corn. Next thing you know Mrs. Chu comes out and says there getting ready to bring Blake out. The double doors opened and out comes Jen in a wheelchair holding Blake in the bucket seat. Needless to say, we had an epic sleepless night w/ Blake not sleeping more than a 2 hour stretch. Beat down broken down to the very last compound... Uhh - we think he needs to adjust to the new environment and maybe misses his twin Jared. We called the NICU and they said that Jared had never slept better! More room to himself. Guess we know Jared is type A and Blake is type B. Stay tuned for the Jared's homecoming.

Best Picture Yet

Jen's Mom took this one - too cute.

Finish Line

We're getting close to bringing these boys home. I've been back to the NICU the last 2 days and the boys look a lot bigger than just a week ago. They're off the gavage and nippling all their feeds. Also they're "ad lib" feeding, basically feeding on their cue, instead of every three hours. It's almost been 2 months in the NICU - we plan to bring the nurses and doctors either Kara's cupcakes or pizza on discharge day. Very exciting.

More Time

This is going to be another quick update since I'm not going to the hospital tonight and need to use this time to catch up some sleep! Its Dave's turn to be sick so he's been out of commission with a flu since Friday. I'm trying to hold up the fort, take care of Dylan and the boys and somehow manage to take care of myself....

This week started off pretty well for the boys. Feeding was moving along and we were kind of on a roll at 4 out of 8 nipple feeds so the doc increased them to 6 out of 8 nipple feeds. But then they started to have consistent choking episodes along with their desats and general fatigue for several days. I think it was just a little too much for them. We want feeding to be a positive and pleasurable experience for everyone so today the doc reduced them back to 4 out of 8 nipple feeds. They just need more time to mature their suck/swallow/breathe coordination and pacing especially during letdowns.

Jared was given a blood transfusion (his 2nd in the NICU) on Friday night. He also got a dose of lasic for fluid retention today.

Both are having another eye exam tomorrow to check for ROP.
Blake weighed 4lbs, 11oz on Sat.
Jared weighed 4lbs, 8oz on Sat.

Blake's also been off the nasal canula for about 3-4 days now. Seems like this time its for good. This is the 4th try.

Storytime

Just got back from another late night at the hospital with the boys. They were both wide awake when I arrived and breastfed well but still had desats. Both are so hungry and suck well so sometimes they don't even stop themselves. I have to pull them off and stimulate them to remember to breathe.

Blake's taking 39cc and Jared's taking 37cc per feed.
Current weight is: Blake 4lbs, 5oz and Jared 4lbs.

They are both being given epigen (sp?) to increase the growth of red blood cells (shot MWF) and a diuretic (daily oral).

Our guesstimate discharge date is another 10 days? We'll see how far off we are or if we've guessed right! The docs and ourselves are taking their cues and watching them closely. They will let us know when they are ready. At the moment, they just need more time to coordinate suck, swallow and breathing with their feeds and are still weaning off the oxygen although the assistance is minimal at this point. In the meantime, we are getting their room ready and trying to tie up any other loose ends around the house. Lots of things to do and very little time!

Tonight just before I left, I had a short storytime session with them. I read 2 books Do You Love Me Mama and Going to Bed. Both guys were attentive and seemed to enjoy it. I gave them each a binky and wished them SWEET DREAMS. Good night Jared, good night Blake!

Back to the NICU

I've been going back to the NICU to see the kids again. My first day back was Saturday. Blake and Jared are in the open plastic cribs that you see typical newborns in. They have a lot less wires attached and their color seems better in general. They've been sleeping like angels...


Today the doctor said they may be coming home as soon as two weeks from now (i'm convinced it'll be more like 3wks)! Truth be told,we were a bit taken aback. Of course we're excited too, but the twins are tiny and are still getting half of their feeds through a tube. They seem so fragile...Jen and I both said "Can't we all stay here longer?". It's funny because that's how we both felt when we had Dylan - on the day we were discharged we asked, "Can we stay another day?". They laughed at us.

Today when Jen was feeding Blake, he had a desat episode. His blood oxygen level gets low because he forgets to breathe or he does shallow breathing. The alarm goes on and if the level gets in the low 80 / 70's you have to pull him off and rub his back and wake him up so he starts to breathe again. He also turns bluish. I finished his feed with the bottle and it happened again. It's not uncommon for preemies to desat, but it is unnerving to see your baby turn blue. Thankfully it doesn't happen too often. Jen just got back from the NICU this very moment and said the night feeds went great!


We should feel more confident and we will by the time they come home - we've taken care of a newborn before. But this will be different and require more attention, care and of course worry. The nurse said, "(when you take them home) these aren't babies you can feed while talking on the phone. You have to watch them, pay attention to make sure they're doing okay." Jen and I will have to refresh our CPR and learn the techniques for bottle feeding these little guys. Over the next few weeks we'll be in preemie care bootcamp! Exciting.

The nurses took some pix of the twins after their bath w/ their fuzzy hair dos. Enjoy.

A Quick Update

What's the latest and greatest with the twins?

These days the boys have just been busy feeding and growing!  They have 1 feed every 3 hrs (8 total) each day.  Beginning today, we will up their breastfeeds from 1 to 2 times a day.  In addition to the breast, they are getting 1 bottle a night and the other 5 feeds are still through the feeding tube.  This means I am now going to the hospital twice a day and spending lots of quality time(4 hours a day) with them.

Jared weighs 3lbs, 11oz and Blake weighs 3lbs, 13oz as of yesterday!  They also had baths the other day and their hair was nice, clean and fluffy like little chicks!  The nurses were nice enough to take pics, so cute.... I'll have to post them later tonight.

The boys will have eye exams on Monday.

I took my mom for a quick visit yesterday before her flight home around 5pm.  When I returned at 10pm for their feeds, Jared's nurse informed me that Jared woke up shortly after I left at 5:30pm and hadn't gone back to sleep.  It was quite a long time for a preemie to be awake.  She said he's a smartie.... he knew what he wanted which was to be held and rocked and figured out how to get it!  Uh-oh.  

Two Peas in a Pod

The twins are finally back together....last night they were moved into an open-air bed and are now co-bedding. All their official cribs are being used so they put us in a makeshift crib and we will wait for the next available one. They look so cute together!! I know they will encourage each other and keep each other company for the rest of their time in the NICU.

We weighed Jared for the first time today before and after his recreational breastfeeding session. He's usually the bigger eater so we wanted to see how much he is actually getting. Today he drank 7ml from me. They said that was a great job!! Go Jared!!

Last night they also took out both of the twins' nasal canulas. Blake is doing great without but Jared still needed just a bit so they put his back in this morning.

Steady Now

Time is flying by these days..... the twins are technically 3 wks and 2 days old! We hope they will come home around 38 wks so I'm still counting by adjusted age which means they beginning their 35th week tomorrow!

We seem to be "last weeks news" now that they are completely stable and moving on a normal preemie track. A couple ways to tell your babies are getting better: 1) less nursing attention. Jared and Blake use to each have their personal 1 on 1 nurse 24/7 but are now sharing a nurse, sometimes even with another baby. I was also getting used to the nursing attention and now I find I'm having to help myself to footstools and nursing pillows. boo-hoo! I'm often wondering, Hello! Where is everyone? They must have gone on break? 2) less wires and equipment. Blake has been moved to a smaller, less complex isolette bed and Jared will be moving shortly. Both have nasal canulas for minimum oxygen and feeding tubes through the nose for breast milk and fortifier. Both had their PICC (IV) lines taken out as well.

I'm spending about 2hrs a day at the NICU. I recreational breastfeed each and spend time cradling them and inspecting them (trying to differentiate the two). The past couple days I'm also cuddling them chest to chest so they can hear my heartbeat. This is the closest reminder of being in the womb. I'm also changing diapers (poopy ones too) and taking their temperatures.

Breastfeeding is coming along slowly. They both latch, suck for a bit and draw out some milk but they just don't have the capacity to swallow. It then results in them pulling off and sometimes desaturating (a dip in their oxygen level or heart rate). The nipple shield has helped quite a bit and in due time, they'll get the hang of it. They are starting to gain weight now that they are on full feeds every 3hrs. As of today, Blake is 3lbs 11oz and Jared is 3lbs 8oz!!

First Feeds

It's Thursday, March 5th. The boys are doing well, just coasting this week! Jared is still on his nasal canula with minimum oxygen and caffeine. Blake is still doing great with open air.

This week's focus is on feedings! Both boys are at full feeds beginning last night which means 28ml every 3 hours through a gavage feeding tube. One of the nurses told me that we would start recreational breastfeeding in a few days. But to my surprise, when i walked in on Tuesday they said," Want to try now?"
Basically, we are just introducing them to idea of breastfeeding, familiarizing them with the nipple and trying to stimulate them. Full term babies have this capacity but preemies need to be taught the process of latching, sucking and swallowing. It uses a great deal of their energy.

Blake was first up to bat! At first, he looked around. Still groggy from waking up and probably wondering what is this thing 1 inch from my face. He heard my voice and smelled my scent and was able to look at me with open eyes. He did a good job! He latched a few times with a little direction and was even able to take a few sucks. Then he did what he always does which is pass out and sleep peacefully for as long as you are willing to hold him.

Now Jared's turn. This little guy has a lot of fight in him. He was also able to latch and he actually sucked out some milk but then pulled back realizing it was going to be a bit much energy to swallow which he can't quite do on his own. The nurses were impressed with his intuitive decision to stop.

So this is what I've been doing the last couple days. My mom has been coming with me. We take turns cuddling the little guys and watching them make facial expressions, hiccuping, opening their eyes, and just sleeping. We've decided they are identical but Jared is slightly smaller and Blake has a dimple on his right cheek! Check out the pics!

Dave is banned from the NICU because he tried to take the babies home in his back pack. Just kidding... he has the cold that has been going around the Valley - he got it the first day he went back to work.

Milk

Blake and Jared are both continuing to improve. Jared is on the nasal cannula and Blake is breathing on his own completely. Blake has some spurts where he tends to breathe really fast, but so far it's nothing to worry about. The twins are moving on to become "feeders and growers" say the nurses. We are ecstatic about that.

Jen will start offering the boob, oops I mean recreational breast feeding tomorrow. She has to pump first and then offer the breast as to not douse them with the fire hose of milk she's producing. We have an entire freezer full of frozen milk for these little guys. If you have extra freezer space and live in Mountain View let us know!

Right now, the nurses feed Blake 8ml every 3 hours and Jared 6ml every 3 hours through a gavage (nasal tube). They are increasing the feeds by 2ml every 12 hours. Afterwards they draw some of the milk back up the tube to check if there are any digestion problems. So far so good.

Yesterday my mom, brother and dad visited the twins (my dad sat outside cuz he has a cough). Today Jen's mom visited. I took Blake's temperature, changed his diaper and held him during my lunch hour (the hospital is 7 minutes away from work). Blake was alert and awake for the first 15 minutes, looking at me and checking stuff out - I'm sure he just sees fuzzy shapes for right now (they're only 34 weeks tomorrow). Every time there was a loud noise he would jump and make the cutest grimace. The nurse asked me to kiss his head before he went back in the crib. Jared's been really fussy lately when we visit. The nurses flip him in all sorts of positions to make him happy and we use our hands to sort of swaddle and comfort him. Today he was sleeping so angelically I didn't want to disturb him.

Curry in a hurry [DOH]

I picked up Dylan and took him to lunch at Curry House in Cupertino. We both ordered exactly what we shouldn't be eating these days - Me: masala curry chicken with a huge plate of Japanese rice sprinkled with some seaweed flakes; Dylan: plate of plain spaghetti noodles w/ tons of Parmesan and french fries. Anyhow, we were just about to chow down like gluttons when Jen called. "Good news! Jared went from oscillator to ventillator to CPAP in the last 24 hours. Blake is off the CPAP and doesn't need the canula. Come to the hospital and you can hold Blake while I hold Jared." Wow - these twins are kicking serious butt in week 2 (technically week 33). Dylan and I toasted each other and inhaled our carbs and lard.

I dropped Dylan at Tammie's then went to the NICU. The nurse wanted me to take Blake's temperature (fail!) and change his diaper (I'm a pro) before I got to hold him. Then she placed him in my arms and what can I say, it was pretty special. Blake on the other hand wasn't having me at first - turned all red and dare I say alien-like. After a couple seconds though he calmed down and slept on my chest for an hour - pure loveliness. I gotta say though that these guys are small and even though I've got experience holding newborns I still have that first-time parent trepidation because of their size.


Jared looks exactly like Blake did yesterday because he's wearing the same hat and mask for the CPAP. He's foaming at the mouth from the CPAP just like Blake did too. The nurse said, "they're doing really well now!" I told her that we are grateful for everyones efforts at the NICU.

Yesterday I read that 40,000 preemies with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) used to die every year (?) in the United States. But because of advancements in medical science in the last few years / decades over 85% of them survive now.

The description of RDS was chilling too - basically the baby comes out of the womb, breathes in and exhales. But since the lungs are immature there is no residual air left in the lungs - it's a complete exhale. The repetition of completely exhaling can exhaust the baby within minutes. In addition, the little sacks that would normally hold residual air collapse and stick together making it progressively harder to breathe. This is when the blood oxygen / CO2 levels start to get all crazy. The blood becomes acidic which constricts the blood vessels in the lungs... etc. etc.. - it's really a crazy downward spiral and the only reason I recount it is so I can better understand the last week. We really had (still do) a piecemeal understanding of what was going on...

Diaper Day

Today's visit was low-key. Both guys were sleeping very contently when we arrived at the hospital so we didn't want to bother them too much.  Blake is doing well on his CPAP and they think he will move up to the nasal canula breathing machine very soon.  Jared moved to the regular ventilator. They are going to remove his umbilical arterial since we are pushing 2 weeks and insert a peripheral arterial so they can continue blood gas measurements.

As I was about to leave, the nurse asked if I wanted to change Blake's diaper.  Another milestone!  Although I was successful at removing the dirty diaper, I wasn't so smooth in getting the new one on.  I'm still very cautious and not confident in handling these little guys.  It's going to take some practice.

Dave thinks they have his nose.  I disagree, but you know these things change all the time the first few years.

Alright nighty nite.

Hold Em

David and I took his mom for her first time to visit the twins at the NICU. To my surprise, the nurses asked if I would like to hold Blake?? "I'm scared," I said. "I think he would really like it," they replied. They disconnected all his wires and wheeled his CPAP oxygen machine closer to me and I held my baby for about 45 minutes. He slept peacefully and stirred just a bit. I was able to give him a pacifier which he absolutely loved. So tiny, so precious, so fragile but at the same time strong! It takes strength to endure everything they've gone through in the past 10 days.

It was a wonderful, unexpected milestone. Of course this is the only day we didn't bring our camera so here are pics from David's iPhone.





As far as updates, both are doing as good as can be, finally starting to kick the wicked nasty virus.

Jared will go from 2 lasic? doses to 1 lasic dose a day to decrease the fluid his body retained. He's currently being fed my milk by a dropper in the cheek but will start taking a 2ml every 6 hrs through the feeding tube directly to the stomache like his brother.

Blake had a xray and his collapsed lobe in his right lung is looking much better but he will continue his mist treatment for another day or so. His feedings are going well.

Steps Forward

Blake ripped off his ventilator tube today. That was a sign for the doctors that he's ready to come off of it. Now he's using a CPAP which gives oxygen and makes it easier for him to breathe but does not breathe for him. Doc said that's a big step for him, but doesn't mean that he won't go back on the vent. Sometimes premies don't have the rib / chest cavity muscles to breathe on their own for a long time. They can get tired the nurses told me and have to work up to it. Everything else with him is the same. He got another transfusion today.



Jared is still on the oscillator but off his blood pressure medicine completely for now. That's progress too though it'd be great if he could get off the oscillator. He's looking a bit bloated and jaundiced. Lasic (?), the diuretic should help that. They gave him some tummy time today. I can tell he hates that big rigid tube sticking into his mouth and into his trachea...

I can tell we'll be spending lots more time at the NICU once J & B get a little more solid. I got to touch Jared's head yesterday and hold Blake's pacifier in today. So fun.

Update Monday 2/23

We went to the NICU around 10:30am when Dylan was at preschool. This was Jen's first time back since being discharged. I'm sure the boys were happy to hear Jen's voice. We met with the social worker that gave us a good overview of what to expect in general with premies - lots of two steps forward one step back. She also gave us a load of good reading. Then we met with the doctor and he gave us our semi-daily update...

• Jared is still on the oscillator - they had to turn the settings up a bit. They lowered his dopamine level from 10 to 8. This means his blood pressure is doing a bit better. Chest x-rays still cloudy. He's still being given the diuretic to get some of the fluid out of his body. They don't know when he'll be off the oscillator... could be days could be weeks. His infection was more severe than Blake's. They put some ear muffs over his ears so he's not so bothered by the sound of the oscillator... pretty cute - I should take a picture.
  
• Blake is doing a bit better. However, a chest x-ray revealed that the upper lobe of his right lung is collapsed. They started some drug that's the more dilute cousin of the drug they give people with asthma to get the crud out (technical term). By the end of the night the drug seemed to be somewhat effective.. they'll continue this till the condition resolves. The ventilator settings are coming down so he's doing more breathing on his own. He's also on the diuretic and so looks less bloated today. The nurse says that "he's doing pretty well... and should tell his brother Jared how its done." The nurses are cool.
  
• Both will need to get a peripheral arterial (???) put in... which is a quick way to draw blood for the numerous blood tests they both receive when monitoring there blood gases - they've been using an umbilical arterial but it gets all gross as the umbilical cord dries up... both are anemic and are getting blood transfusions... both need to start some feeding when they're 10 to 14 days old. Blake's getting some drops of Jen's milk in his mouth to stimulate enzymes and prime the gut (technical term). Jared needs to get off his oscillator before this can happen. Go Jared Go!
  
• There's a couple of other things but I need to start bringing a notepad to write down everything the doctors say - its a lot to take in. We're starting to get to know the different personalities of the doctors and nurses. Some love to talk... some can't tone down the jargon... some are more serious.
  

That's it for today.

Roller Coaster Ride

Looking back I feel so naïve. When Jared and Blake were first born everything seemed normal and fine. They were typical 31 and a half week old preemies that would just live and be cared for at the NICU until they reached their full term until we could bring them home. Little did I know that we were just boarding the wild NICU roller coaster ride.

The first 48 hours seemed pretty normal for the twins. Dave had to sign some consent forms to have an umbilical catheter type of device put in. They would administer a steroid to help the twins with lung development.

48 hrs after the birth more complications began. Here’s a list summarizing the issues the twins have or are dealing with this first week:

• Respiratory issues started first. Both of the twins had to go on ventilators. Their lungs were not only premature, but they were dealing with a bacterial or viral infection (most likely my flu).  The x-rays a week into it are still cloudy.
• Received antibiotics in case infection was bacterial
  
• Blood pressure issues. Both guys were given dopamine to regulate their blood pressure. Additionally they were give a blood transfusion to boost blood pressure and replenish blood levels. Additionally after that they were given fresh frozen plasma to stabilize their blood pressure. Jared is still dealing with blood pressure issues
  
• High Levels of CO2 – related respiratory issue, both guys are switched to oscillators that helps them take 100 quick short breaths per minute instead of normal breaths 
  
• Jaundice. Both have jaundice and are being treated with phototherapy. 
  
• Echocardiogram confirmed PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) – a duct in the heart that doesn’t close which is the most common heart disease for premies. Medicine was administered that helps the duct close. Jared’s opening closed after 1 round of medicine. Blake had 2 rounds of medicine and his has closed considerably but not fully. However, the doctor doesn’t feel surgery is needed at this time.
  
• Fluid problems - Blake is retaining his fluids causing him to appear a bit bloated. They are giving him a diuretic.  It's hard to find the balance w/ everything else going on.

At this point in time Blake is off the oscillator and the dopamine.  His blood pressure is fine and he is on the ventilator until his lungs improve.

Jared went off the oscillator to the ventilator but had to go back on it. His blood pressure is still problematic. 

So at this point our expectations for the 5-7 weeks Jared and Blake will stay in the NICU are more sobered. We anticipate hiccups and more challenges but hope for them to progress overall.  We just have to wait and give them more time to recover.  It pains us to see them in this condition at the start of their lives and accordingly will be spoiling them rotten when they come home!

Jared and Blake Have Landed

The twins were born one week ago today! I can’t really say if the first week has gone by slow or fast cause I feel somewhat frozen in time. It’s definitely been a busy week, so much has happened and our lives are forever changed…

First things first – our birth story. I contracted some nasty upper respiratory flu/sore throat bug Tuesday, Feb. 10th and was pretty much bedridden with a fever and chills for 3 days. I can’t tell you how many times I coughed and blew my nose. I must have used at least 1 roll of toilet paper a day. This is the worst flu I’d ever experienced and of course, I happened to be carrying twins. My poor body! My poor babies! By Friday, Feb 13th the flu wasn’t letting up and my body just said ‘no more’. Jared wasn’t having it either – he wanted out! I went to bed at 10pm and then 15 minutes later my water broke. Houston, we got a big problem!! Jared had ruptured his sack in protest of the flu.

I went to the bathroom and of course Dave was geeking out online. I said “I think my water broke.” His face turned pale – his laptop couldn’t help us now. I called my doctor, he said to go to the hospital to have it checked out. Dylan was sleeping – sick with the flu from hell too. We called our neighbor to baby sit – thank god she was home. She hurried over and soon we were on our way to El Camino Hospital – no birth plan, no suitcase, no camera, no nothing. The drive over felt like the “calm before the storm” though it was storming heavily outside.

We got to El Camino Labor and Delivery around 10:30pm. They set us up in the private room and made us wait. We watched some crappy TV. They said that it was a busy night – tons of deliveries, seems to happen with the stormy weather and Friday the 13ths.

11pm or so the nurse comes in and does a check. “Yep. You’re water broke.” She then goes on to tell us that the sack is only ruptured and that they have drugs that can forestall labor. She thinks I’ll just have to stay in the hospital for 2 weeks or so till I deliver. We start to feel relieved – 2 more weeks would mean 34 weeks. The twins would be pretty close to full term by then. Big sigh of relief. We call Dave’s brother to come down to relieve the baby sitter.

Next, I get an IV line and my doctor shows up. He says that the plan is to administer steroids to develop the babies lungs and give me drugs to stop the contractions. He hopes we can get 48 hours until delivery. Whoa, that’s a lot less than 2 weeks but still 48 hours would give us some time. At first the medicine seemed to work, the contractions were slowing down and weakening. Dave went home to take care of Dylan because he’d been waking up in the middle of the night from being sick.

For about 3-4 hours (after midnight), I thought we’d be okay. My doctor had just left my bedside and said he’d check back in a few hours. Then all of a sudden, the contractions started to creep back and became stronger and then more frequent. Within a matter of hour or so, I was in excruciating pain asking for pain relief. The nurse checked me out and I was 6cm dilated. They paged my doctor back to the hospital. The twins were coming out and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Epidural!!! I call Dave at 5:45am… he’s groggy but wakes up in an instant when I tell him its show time.

Dave gets to the hospital and within the hour I’m fully dilated. They wheel me into cesarean room just in case. It’s a madhouse… there are 10 people in the room – 6 NICU people (3 per baby), 2 nurses, an anesthesiologist and my doctor. It’s the complete opposite of when we delivered Dylan, where it was mainly one nurse and Dave.

The delivery goes smoothly. I push Jared out. They show him to me and then wheel him off to the NICU. 15 minutes later I push Blake out and they wheel him to the NICU too. The only speed bumps during the delivery were when my doctors cell phone rang and he wanted the nurse to try to help him answer it (Ladies and Gentlemen please power down your cell phones!) and dealing with the placenta afterwards.  Without going into too much detail, it was something out of an Aliens movie.  I’d rather forget.

An hour later, I’m eating bacon and eggs in the recovery room. Whoohoo! I’m also still fluish – boohoo! Dave goes to the NICU to check on Jared and Blake. My legs finally stop shaking from the adrenaline and the epidural. Quite an 11 hours we just had.