When I found out Cindy was pregnant with twin boys, I had dreams of big strapping football players. And now, as I looked at Eric's fragile body, all these dreams disappeared and I was left with the grim truth of reality. I walked over to Aaron's incubator which was located right next to Eric's. He was still on the respirator, too weak and fragile to breathe on his own. Aaron's difficulties were mostly respiratory.
Underdeveloped lungs is one of the major problems of prematurity.
I found it difficult to stand by as they were bombarded by a multitude of medical procedures and the constant prodding and probing by the medical staff. Their tiny heels were black and blue from multiple heel sticks for blood tests, IV's repeatedly stuck in their little arms, and numerous blood transfusions. Even eating was an unpleasant task as the nurse had to stick a tube down their throats and pour Cindy's breast milk into their stomachs. We seemed to get into a pattern of good days and bad days. Usually every few days brought a crisis with one baby or the other.