Day 14

Hard to believe that it's been 2 weeks since our wee boy's arrival.  It doesn't seem like a lot when we look ahead at the big picture, but it seems like a lot when I look back on the last 2 weeks.  That makes him 26 weeks 5 days today. He looks good. He's had a good 24 hrs with only one incident where he kinda stopped breathing and the nurses quickly brought him back. We were with him when it happened and were watching the monitors.  The nurses were really good at making it seem like nothing was happening, but watching the monitors we saw his heart rate dip to less than 120 and keep going down. (usually it's between 160 and 180). This is yet another scary but common thing that happens in the NICU, especially to babies on Jet ventilation like Ryan is.  Thank goodness the nurses know what beeping they can ignore, and what means business.  I'm sure in the next 2 weeks I'll know too. 

We got some results that allowed me a little more sleep than usual.  His EEG result showed no seizure activity - the doctor was quick to mention that the EEG only shows a small window in time, so what had occurred the day before may have been a seizure, but at least he hasn't had any more.  He's been kept on a 'maintenance dose' of an anti-seizure drug for the time being.  His MRI showed no change in his brain - which is GOOD! He's now only on 1 antibiotic instead of 3 different medicines (they were treating for all 3 possible infections - Fungal, viral, and bacterial - but now they're only treating for bacterial.  So, fingers crossed for a clean blood culture result (due back Sunday I believe) or else they may take out his PICC line. Which no one wants to happen.  Finally, they're treating his duct (the valve that's open between his heart and his lungs).  Hopefully with the infection being treated, it will stay closed this time or else we may have to discuss surgery down the road. 

Lots to be happy about, and as always, still lots to be worried about but that's to be expected.  We've been putting our hands in his isolette more, and it's great to see a good response from him. He calms down immediately.  Also nice for us to feel like we're being parents.

Off to get ready for a morning with Sadie to give Grandma and Grampy a 'break'.... I wish they would rest but, they'll probably do all their house stuff that has been avoided over the last 2 weeks.  Cleaning? What's that? (I know you're reading this mom, so keep sitting down - put your feet up for a while ;-).