After not so much rest we are back at the NICU.

Before last night’s incident and. I had a 4 diaper change so his plumbing continues to work.  This post jumps around a bit probably due to lack of sleep, and a turbulent train of thought. 

He weighed in at 1287 grams.

Today is another day we are grateful to have nurses that are familiar with RT. Over the last few days we have had good continuity of care.

We were scared he might not make it through the night. This has been my fear every night.  Getting that phone call that something has happened.  It makes leaving his bedside to do the things we have to do as adults all more difficult. I can’t imagine the guilt I would feel not being a 6 minute walk from the hospital.   RT continues to fight his way through this maze of events that should not have happened.

We are lucky the nurse was able to react as fast as she did last night.

Life is so fragile.

Things that should not happen,  happen too quick.

It is unfortunate how far we have regressed but hopefully this is something he can recover from.

His needs for oxygen are around 60%, with full support. He still doesn’t like the machine forcing him to breathe when it wants him to.

This is Double what he was requiring before his ventilator tube disconnected. His peep is still at 8 from la s t night.

During the short time we were gone.  They were able to extubate and put in a larger vent tube. His swelling inside his throat had diminished enough to install  a 3.0. This will limit how much he leaks around it and will maximize the pressure going where they want it to go to re-inflate his collapsed lungs.

Blood has still been coming out during suction. Potentially from intubation,  or from his lungs being so young and not elastic.

1700 Several scary events throughout the day.  Mostly during cares and turning him.  Sp02 got as low as 44. Respiratory tech started to manually ventilate to try and get him back up faster.

More bright red blood during suction.

1730 blood gas shows improvement.

His feeds are up to 19cc and fortified with extra calories! With fortified feeds we are able to start him on clear fluids in an IV bag through PICC line. It is more compatible with his other medications.  He will not require another IV till if he needs another transfusion.  They will leave in his IV as long as possible just in case.

Slowly able to wean his oxygen % trending down.

Dr. says if we can’t get him into the 40’s it might be time for a week of steroids, to help his lungs mature.

1800 02% at 51.

2030 before cares 02% at 47. RT dealt with cares well,  only required oxygen % up to 60 temporarily.  After cares down to between 48 and 52.

Only creamy secretions from lung suction. No blood!

Time to get weighed.  1332 grams.  2 lb 15 oz. Pretty wild at this rate he will be double his birth weight in a few days.

I help put fresh linens in his bed.

NICU is good at fattening up babies.

He holds my little finger really tight for a while,  he looks content for now.  Then he relaxes.

It is every parents goal to keep their child safe. How do I keep you safe RT?

Time to let you gain your strength for the next battle.  Sleep peacefully little man.