Hughes Family Update~

Erin~
Erin is doing great after her surgery!  A stat that I like to reference, (though not technical) is an "EVENTS" counter on the stat monitor.  It records "EVENTS" that are out of normal breathing or heart beating range.  Erin typically has 30-45 "EVENTS" in  a moving 24 hour period.  Since the surgery Erin has had a max of 7 "EVENTS" in 24 hour period.   Erin has started feeding again and is coming down on her ventilator settings and medication levels.

Will~
Will is also doing great!  Will wasn't having the problems that Erin was before his surgery, so he is just on a normal recovery path. He is coming down on his ventilator settings and is starting to come off of his pain medications! Because will had intestinal surgery he has not started on actual feedings yet, but he does receive proper nutrition every 12 hours by IV. 

Both~
A little info on the IV nutrition. Every 12 hours the kids get a blood draw taken from their heel, and that sample goes to the lab for analysis.  A nutritionist then takes those readings and creates a "meal" for them which they will receive through their IV.  Each "meal" IV reads like a bottle of Centrum and is completely tailored to their current needs.  They also receive essential fats and oils through IV.  When we say that they are feeding, the kids are actually receiving Julie's Milk through at feeding tube.  Erin gets 1.5 ml of breast milk at a time every 3 hours.  Will when he starts feeding again will receive 2 ml of breast milk at a time every 3 hours.  They are on such little doses just to get their intestinal track moving correctly.  Obviously Will had problems with that, but he will soon start feeding again!

Us~
Julie and I are... separating and are going to split the twins and give the dog to my parents!  Oh are you still reading?  Did we get your attention?  LOL!!! Just kidding, Julie and I are doing well! Thursday was very stressful, but now that we are though the tough part we are hoping for some smooth sailing.  I am very proud of Julie and more in love with her than ever before!  She is so amazing going through everything we had to to even get pregnant, let alone everything during the pregnancy and early delivery!  I just can't say enough! Love you honey!

Everyone~
Wow!  We have amazing friends and family!  The cards, meals, flowers, clothes, gifts, books and most of all the prayers have been great!  THANK YOU!  We owe you all so much!