Doctor Week

Hi all. Things are going well at Casa de Passalaqua. Jack had his weight check appointment yesterday. He is now up to 8 lbs 12 oz (we pretty much knew that since we have a scale at our house). We talked to the doc about his reflux, and he said it's fairly common in younger babies. We got the OK to add a little rice cereal to his milk/formula to thicken it up. That will help to keep the food in his belly and not splashing up into his throat. It seemed to do some good last night, as he seemed to sleep a little more soundly. I'm going to either contruct a matress wedge or buy one so that he will sleep with his head slighly elevated, that is supposed to help as well (and we'll be able to put him in his crib.

Today he has an appointment to get his RSV vaccination. Then no more trips are planned for a couple weeks. Jack got to visit with Aunt DeAnna the other day. She stopped by after some meeting she had in Roseville. This weekend Grandma and Grandpa Passalaqua are going to be swinging in for a visit.

Getting Stronger

Jack had another great day. He keeps eating his food and gaining his weight. Today he was up to 2 lbs 12 oz (1270 g). He has been pretty good about remembering to breath. He has an occasional episode, but brings himself back fairly quickly. It's nice when we go in we get to see him developing a personality. He opens his eyes and looks around more ofter, and is still very squirmy during his care times. The doctors reduced his oxygen flow to 4 lpm down from 5. That means he is doing more breathing for himself.

Mary got to do some kangaroo time this afternoon. He was very good for the most part of it. He seems to be tolerating his time out of his isolette better each day. Jack got to put on the hat that Mary crocheted him. It looks very handsome on him, it might be slightly big though. We are hoping that this positive trend continues, hoping he can make it to 3 lbs by the end of the week.

Somedays are not as good as others.

Today Jack is 11 days old. He weighed in this morning the same as yesterday, 2 lbs 2.6 oz (980 gs). He is still doing good keeping down and digesting all his feedings. Jack has started having increased episodes of apnea. He had enough that there is talk that he may have to go back to a ventilator. Also, some eye gunk returned. It is possible that he has gotten an infection and they have taken some blood to run tests on. We should know more on that front tomorrow or the next day, but they would start him back on antibiotics is they found an infection. If it is an infection it could be contributing to his apnea, because his system is overloaded trying to fight the infection. His bilirubin levels went up again so they placed Jack back on phototherapy. The blood that was in the fluid near the brain hasn't absorbed/drained as doctors had hoped. Again that could be a side effect of the infection (if he has one). It hasn't got any worse, but it hasn't improved. It is something the doctors will keep an eye on over the next week.

Earlier in the day Mary and I went to a preemie handling class that gave us some pointers handling Jack while he is doing his care time in the NICU. I think everything just took it's toll today. Jack didn't have a very good day, and we just need to keep focused on the overall goal. There will be ups and downs, and today was a downer. Mary and I are back at the house for the night. We will destress, recharge, reload then head back out to Kaiser tomorrow.

Very Good Day for Jack

Today Jack weighed in at 2 lbs 3.6 ozs. He also is now a 27 week old, just sounds better than 26. The first treatment for his PDA will possibly be the only one he needs. When the nurse took a listen to his heart this afternoon she couldn't hear any murmur. Also his oxygen levels are getting down into the range they need to stay (the nurse thinks he's just showing off).

We both got to do a little preemie diaper change, and Mary took his temperature (98.1 degrees). I have a feeling he will love trains because I think his ventilator sounds just like one, just not quite as loud. Mary think he may have inheirited Grandpa Gregg's hammer toes, but that may be because his hands & feet were a little swollen today. Jack also loves to be all wrapped up in his "snugglies" (for lack of a real term). I like to call it contained and content.

We know we still have a long way, but days like today are very nice.

12-09-09 Update as of 10:00pm
Just checked in with Jack's nurse and alot has been going on. They have made several adjustments to Jack's ventilator (for the better) and he is doing very well. He has been taken off of photo therapy and is no longer being given antibiotics. They did have to give him a second dose of treatment for the PDA so we'll update with more tomorrow. Fingers are crossed that he can keep getting stronger.