Everett had a great day today. His chest xray was repeated this afternoon and showed cleared lungs - no more infiltrates on his left side. His breathing has settled to a relatively rapid, but clear rate. His oxygen is still via cannula at 21% but the volume has been reduced to just 1.5 liters. The plan is to wean as quickly as possible in hopes of Everett being clear of all respiratory support by tomorrow afternoon.
Great news: I get to try nursing tomorrow (as long as Everett remains stable of course)!!!!!!! The doctor felt it was important to allow a full 48 hours to pass prior to an introduction of nutrition to his gut. Reason: the gut is not protected during a stressful event. If a person is experiencing trauma, blood is shunted to the super organs - brain, heart, kidneys - the gut is sort of last to get support making continuous perfusion questionable. To allow time for recovery and insure proper blood flow to the area, 48 hours is the optimal time to keep the gut sterile. So, that would be tomorrow. I will nurse and then he will be offered a bottle of breast milk (provided I can produce that much). I'm not super excited about the bottle supplementation but at this point, whatever it takes to get us all home and in one place is what I'll do. If he can get to eating full meals, he can be weaned off of all IV supplementation bringing him one more GIANT step toward the exit. The neonatologist is extremely supportive of my breast feeding beliefs and efforts so it's really nice to be on the same page with Everett's care team.
Mary Louise and David seem to be handling things fairly well. I haven't seen them since yesterday morning and miss them terribly. I talk to them on the phone though so that's something...they have had a great time playing with their grandparents and with Uncle Collin. Mere and Pops left today to take care of some things at home and plan to return at the end of the weekend. Mommon and Uncle Collin will stay until then. Brent goes back and forth between the hospital and home. It's a bit of a mess, but the best we can do for now.
One day soon...one day soon...we will be together again...many many thanks for the prayers and support throughout.
xo,
Heather
Photos to come - uploading now...
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Praying for you guys. So glad things are looking up. You are such great parents keep on doing what you are doing. Yay for breast feeding!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear he is doing well. I am praying he will make it home before his due date. Take care of your self.
ReplyDeleteRachael