Rolling Along

Dear Samuel,

Another good day today buddy.

This morning you had a respiratory test where they removed the ventilator to see how you could handle breathing on your own. You made it about a minute and a half before you got too tired to breath on your own. It was sort of expected that you wouldn't "pass" this test yet, but we need to start prepping you for life without the vent. They are going to do this "test" every few days from here on out.

You had another head scan today that you passed with flying colors. This lifts the IHV protocol (keeping your head still and your body "midline") that helped prevent any brain bleeds.  Not that anyone is going to jostle you around now, but there isn't as much fear about causing any damage to your brain.

We are also still chasing your blood sugar as it keeps spiking in opposite directions (high to low). As of tonight, you were at 292 (which is in the acceptable range). They are working on finding the right mix of nutrients and insulin to keep your blood sugar in a good place.

Your feedings were upped to 7 ccs of breast milk today as well.

We aren't trying to get our hopes up, but they did tell us that we might be able to actually hold you tomorrow. I can't begin to tell you how happy this will make your momma (and me, of course). If you are having a good day and your vitals are still good, we should get to hold you! I'm bringing my camera with tomorrow just in case so we can capture some shots.

Sleep well tonight pal, big day tomorrow.

Love,
Mom and Dad

P.S. Since you were born both the Packers and Badgers (Mens Bball) are undefeated. Let's keep that streak going......

Status Quo....sort of

Dear Samuel,

Today was about maintaining the status quo. All of your numbers (Heart Rate, O2, BPMs) were well maintained and in the range we want throughout the day. However, we did have some new stuff pop up today.

Late last night, the doctors and nurses (who are awesome by the way) put you under the "Bili" light to help with your bilirubin. There is no cause for concern for jaundice, but they wanted to be proactive. The pictures turned out kind of cool with a blue glow.

This morning, there was some talk of taking you off of the ventilator and switching to a C-Pap. Which, in my opinion, is a great sign. It was just talk though because you aren't quite ready for it to come out yet. Later on in the day, you started getting tuckered out from all the breathing you've been doing on your own and they had to put your ventilator back up to 40 breaths per minute.

Another thing that happened today was we had to give you a blood transfusion, since your hemoglobin was starting to dip a bit. This went well and you didn't have a negative reaction to it.

The doctors decided it was time to put a feeding tube in today too. So, unfortunately, you have another tube going down your mouth BUT you were able to begin taking in breast milk to start helping you grow.

You had a wet diaper today! Yes, we're excited about that because not only was it 18 cc's it means that your kidneys are working great!

Your Mom is doing great too, bud. She's one of the toughest women I know....she hasn't hardly had any pain killers (I think it's the German coming out in her) only Ibuprofen. The other stuff makes her sick, so she just doesn't take it. She was up and moving around today and isn't hooked up to a pole anymore. I have to say......you, me and Isaac are pretty lucky guys.

Sleep tight little one.

Love,
Mom and Dad