42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

Michelle has gone back to the hospital to give Alicia a second go at feeding today. The doctor has given her the go-ahead to nurse twice a day now, since Alicia seems to be doing alright with it. She's had very few spells the last couple days and is gaining weight again. The doctor even mentioned the possibility of moving to ICC as soon as tomorrow.

Children's Hospital has supplied us with a booklet of research data compiled from 2004. It's pretty interesting; it contains comparisons of how babies at Children's in 2004 fared vs. babies from 503 other hospitals in the US, and the data is grouped by birth weight. Alicia fits in the lowest category (500-750 grams), but you may want to keep in mind that she's at the upper end of that range at 710. Here's a few highlights:

Survival
Children's: 78%
National: 54%

Chronic Lung Disease (injury to the lungs from infection or ventilation; means prolonged oxygen support and possibly other delays)
Children's: 70%
National: 68%
Alicia: Definitely.

Retinopathy (underdeveloped or abnormally developed eyes)
Children's: 85%
National: 79%
Alicia: Her most recent test did indicate a mild case. They are watching it and are optimistic that it won't have any lasting effects.

Survival with no major complications
Children's: 15%
National: 11%

Average length of stay in hospital
Children's: 112 days
National: 105 days
Alicia: Today is day 64

Sent home while still on oxygen support
Children's: 45%
National: 40%

Follow-Up: Development at age 4
Normal: 64%
Mild to Moderately Abnormal: 19%
Severely Abnormal: 17%

We really love Children's. They've brought Alicia through so much.