Blood Production Up and Running.

Jack is still getting bigger and cuter everyday.  He is 30 weeks 5 days (4 weeks 2 days since birth).  Again we thought he might slow down after his big growth spurt of late, but he gained an additional 40 grams.  Now up to 3 pounds 4 ounces (1480 g).  Doctors got his blood work back and everything is looking good.  His red blood cell count has increased, as has his over all blood count.  He is now
producing reticulocytes (immature red blood cells).  Since he is doing well, and producing his blood they won't have to do as much lab work.

He also had his feeding increased from 28 ml to 32 ml (he needs to get his yummy food).  His oxygen flow has been taken down again to 3 liters per minute, hopefully he is a good boy and remembers to breath and they can slowly ween him off of the vapotherm machine to straight high flow oxygen.

Another good day means less stressed and more rested parents.  We are thankful for that.

Four Weeks Old

Jack is now 4 weeks old, not quite a month, but 28 days. He gained a little bit of weight today. Up to 3 lbs 1 oz (1400 g). Over night they had to put his oxygen flow back up to 4 liters per minute. He had a few apnea episodes after decreasing his flow to 3 lpm so he wasn't quite ready for the change. Doctors are still keeping an eye on his red blood cell count. Being so early he doesn 't produce sufficient red blood cells for himself, but he is at the stage where he should start. So he is getting a couple meds to help kick start the process. They are hoping he will start to show increased red blood cell count before they need to do a transfusion. His oxygen and breathing should increase with more red blood cells.

Mary got to do some kangaroo time this afternoon. Jack had a very nice time just relaxing and resting.  He also got a visit from Mary's Aunt Sharon.  Everything else is going well, still making slow and steady progress.