July 12

(I wrote this on the 12th, but had technical problems... will do a current update later if time.)

A few busy days this week.  Ryan's been stable, still on biphasic but still requiring at least 50 % oxygen (room air is 21%).  They've started giving him an inhaled steroid (like what people with asthma take) to see if that can help lower his oxygen requirements.  They've also given him a diuretic so that they can get rid of any excess fluid on his lungs - all in hopes of decreasing inflamation in the lungs and decreasing his O2 requirements.  He's gaining weight steadily and is on an every 3 hour feeding schedule (like a regular baby).
BUT.  There has been a number of cases of a bacteria called Serratia in the NICU - at 10 days babies bums are swabbed to check for bacteria (Ryan's was negative).  Every-so often these swabs are done to ensure there are no weird bugs going around.  One thing led to another, and a few babies had 'colonized' the bacteria.  This means they're not 'infected', but they are growing the bacteria in their bowels.... ugh.  So.  Ryan's wee neighbour tested positive for the bug, and was put in 'isolation'  what that means is that the nurses who are handling him need to wear a gown and gloves when they enter his isolette.  The hospital began swabbing every 48 hours.... after the 2nd rounds of swabs, Ry's came back positive.  As did 11 other babies.  :-(
They've now clustered all the colonized babies and their nurses have to wear gowns and gloves.  Parents don't have to since we're not touching any other babies.  Today we find out whether the bug is from different 'families' (which would mean it's not been passed through the NICU) or from the same families (meaning it was).  Yesterday we had a meeting with infection control and tomorrow we'll have another one to hear what they're going to do.
LUCKILY there hasn't been anyone 'infected' by the bug, and everyone is being watched very carefully.  It's still a risk though, and if infection does occur, it's pretty serious so we're obviously worried about this.  It also sucks being isolated because you feel alienated.  I also don't like the fact that Ry doesn't get to feel warm hands on him, just sticky gloves.  Hopefully his mighty immune system will kick in and beat the bug so he can come out of isolation.  I've been looking into what I can take (a probiotic?) so that some of the extra good stuff can get into my milk... I doubt it, but it might be worth a shot.
In other news, Sadie has been loving G & G's pool and has been getting more and more confident in the water.  It's also a nice break for me to be out in some fresh air for part of the day.
I also have to continue my big 'thank yous' to people who have been helping us out.  I went to my first spin class since this all started, and my wonderful gym has given me 2 free months to come as I can since I really can't commit to investing the time/money to a gym right now.  Love those ladies.