(1,036 grams or 2 lbs. 4.5 oz.)

Kind of a scary day today. My oxygen needs, which are usually very stable, were a little off today, and my heart rate was way up. My Respitory Therapist noticed a heart murmur that could be PDA, or Patent Ductus Arteriosus. You see, our hearts have a valve that's open when we're in the womb, breathing amniotic fluid, but when were born, that valve is supposed to close. They think that mine still may be open. We won't know for sure until an electrocardiogram can be performed. A PDA can lead to all kinds of scary things like a build up of fluid in my lungs, chronic lung disease, or even congestive heart failure. If I do have a PDA, there are three options for my treatment. The first is to just leave it alone. If it is small and is not causing me any distress, they'll just let it close on its own. Second, they can give me medication to make it close. They will give me two doses of indocin, that should help it close. The third option is surgery. They will go in and sew the valve closed. That third option is pretty rare and is very safe. We're not even sure if I have a PDA, my oxygen needs have been fairly regular. Mom and Dad are worried, but PDA is common in preemies and we'll just need to wait for the test results.