Yesterday's big event was that we got to start breastfeeding again. To my delight, Braxton took to it like a pro - that is, when he wasn't too tired. I'd say about half of his feedings were pretty good, so that's a good start.
For fun, Braxton's nurse and I decided to give him a bath yesterday afternoon. That was actually Braxton's first water bath. We set up a little tub near the foot of his bed and placed him in the warm water, which he loved. He loved it so much, in fact, that he started to pee. And not like a little stream into his tub. Picture one of those yard sprinklers that shoots out a long, pressurized stream of water, then rotates to cover a large area. Braxton's pee shot about eight feet across his room, hit his curtain, and covered the floor. It caused such a commotion that the entire NICU staff came to see what happened, and all went away laughing.
Today's focus is on getting Braxton prepared for discharge. His iv flow has been reduced down from 12, to 3. His tube feedings are being bumped up from 15ml, to a minimum of 30ml, depending on how well he nurses. The goal is to make sure Braxton continues to gain weight without his abdomen getting distended again. If all looks good tomorrow, we will cut his iv completely, make sure he is still gaining, then go home on Saturday.
Showing posts with label NICU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NICU. Show all posts
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Tuesday in the NICU (I love good news!)
Today I am being trained on how to do Braxton's colon dilation and saline enemas. Add this to the list of Things I Never Wanted To Know How To Do.
But here's some good news.
1. Braxton has been tolerating his (small) milk feedings, so tomorrow we get to try breastfeeding.
2. Braxton's xrays continue to look good. In fact, his Dr told me that if he was just seeing him for the first time, he wouldn't think he has hirschsprung's.
3. The surgeon saw Braxton last night, and was so encouraged at his progress that we are stopping the antibiotics tomorrow night. AND if Braxton's feedings are still going well, we could be going home as early as this weekend.
4. We are going to go ahead and do the colon biopsy about a week after we go home, vs waiting until Braxton is ready for surgery in about 5 weeks. If the biopsy comes back good, we won't need to do surgery. Originally the Dr's were so sure they were looking at hirschsprung's, they were just planning on doing the biopsy on the same day as surgery.
5. The results of yesterday's brain monitoring came back completely normal. Braxton was not having seizures, just little twitches in his sleep.
6. My little boy is stinkin' cute.
Your prayers are working, and we are eternally grateful.
But here's some good news.
1. Braxton has been tolerating his (small) milk feedings, so tomorrow we get to try breastfeeding.
2. Braxton's xrays continue to look good. In fact, his Dr told me that if he was just seeing him for the first time, he wouldn't think he has hirschsprung's.
3. The surgeon saw Braxton last night, and was so encouraged at his progress that we are stopping the antibiotics tomorrow night. AND if Braxton's feedings are still going well, we could be going home as early as this weekend.
4. We are going to go ahead and do the colon biopsy about a week after we go home, vs waiting until Braxton is ready for surgery in about 5 weeks. If the biopsy comes back good, we won't need to do surgery. Originally the Dr's were so sure they were looking at hirschsprung's, they were just planning on doing the biopsy on the same day as surgery.
5. The results of yesterday's brain monitoring came back completely normal. Braxton was not having seizures, just little twitches in his sleep.
6. My little boy is stinkin' cute.
Your prayers are working, and we are eternally grateful.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Monday in the NICU
When we got to the NICU on Thursday, Braxton's abdomen was swollen to a huge 36cm, from his normal of around 31.5cm, and extremely red and tight. He was immediately put on a suction tube that slowly drew air and fluid out of his tummy. His white blood count also indicated an infection, so he was placed on a cocktail of antibiotics.
Slowly the infection and swollen abdomen have gone down. Yesterday the suction tube was removed, with a close eye kept on the abdomen circumference. Thankfully the circumference has remained steady around 32cm. Today Braxton is allowed to get 10ml of milk every three hours, and we'll continue to monitor his abdomen.
Every morning Braxton is getting xrays to check on the status of his colon. Yesterday, the dr told us that there had, in fact, been a blockage (probably a meconium plug) and that it was now gone. That now raises question as to whether or not Braxton even has this disease, called hirschsprung's. We have to continue down the path for surgery, assuming he does have it. But a biopsy will be done on the day of surgery, and that will determine whether or not we go ahead.
As I've been sitting here writing this, a team of nurses have been working on putting brain sensors on Braxton's scalp to monitor his brain activity. Braxton had been doing some unusual twitching with his arms and legs that had his nurse concerned. As of right now, we've been monitoring his brain for about 15 minutes, and the dr likes what he sees. The twitches are probably not seizures, and probably just Braxton moving through sleep cycles.
Slowly the infection and swollen abdomen have gone down. Yesterday the suction tube was removed, with a close eye kept on the abdomen circumference. Thankfully the circumference has remained steady around 32cm. Today Braxton is allowed to get 10ml of milk every three hours, and we'll continue to monitor his abdomen.
Every morning Braxton is getting xrays to check on the status of his colon. Yesterday, the dr told us that there had, in fact, been a blockage (probably a meconium plug) and that it was now gone. That now raises question as to whether or not Braxton even has this disease, called hirschsprung's. We have to continue down the path for surgery, assuming he does have it. But a biopsy will be done on the day of surgery, and that will determine whether or not we go ahead.
As I've been sitting here writing this, a team of nurses have been working on putting brain sensors on Braxton's scalp to monitor his brain activity. Braxton had been doing some unusual twitching with his arms and legs that had his nurse concerned. As of right now, we've been monitoring his brain for about 15 minutes, and the dr likes what he sees. The twitches are probably not seizures, and probably just Braxton moving through sleep cycles.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Pics!
Here are some pics from "round one" in the NICU.
Can I just say how much I hate the fact that I am at home right now, while my baby is across town at the hospital? Mommies are not meant to be apart from their newborns. It sucks. Just being real....
Can I just say how much I hate the fact that I am at home right now, while my baby is across town at the hospital? Mommies are not meant to be apart from their newborns. It sucks. Just being real....
Friday, April 08, 2011
Round Two
We are back in the NICU, as of yesterday afternoon. Braxton's feedings had been declining (not that they were good to begin with), and then he started throwing up his milk. We took him to the pediatrician to be on the safe side, and they sent us straight back to the hospital.
Braxton's abdomen was huge and red, indicating serious problems with his bowels. Tests revealed he has a colon disease (I still need to look up the name) and will need surgery to remove part of his colon. But first he needs to fight off infection and get stronger. So we are anticipating a week here at the hospital, followed by 4-5 weeks at home to build strength before surgery.
Our family has once again stepped up to help us out, and our kids are on their way to Seattle as I type this. They will be gone for about ten days, which will be hard on us all, but we feel it's the best solution for now.
Thank you all for your heartfelt support.
Praising Him in this storm...
Braxton's abdomen was huge and red, indicating serious problems with his bowels. Tests revealed he has a colon disease (I still need to look up the name) and will need surgery to remove part of his colon. But first he needs to fight off infection and get stronger. So we are anticipating a week here at the hospital, followed by 4-5 weeks at home to build strength before surgery.
Our family has once again stepped up to help us out, and our kids are on their way to Seattle as I type this. They will be gone for about ten days, which will be hard on us all, but we feel it's the best solution for now.
Thank you all for your heartfelt support.
Praising Him in this storm...
Thursday, March 31, 2011
NICU update - Thursday morning
Yesterday Braxton had an ultrasound done of his heart to see if there were any problems. There are, in fact, holes in the muscle that divides the left and right chambers. This is considered a fairly "minor" heart defect, and over the next few months is expected to turn into a heart murmur and then heal itself. Please pray for rapid healing.
In good news, Braxton had an excellent nursing this morning. Please pray that those continue with regularity. He is also maintaining a good body temp as the temp in his bed slowly gets turned down.
We have a lot of support from friends and family right now, and we are so thankful. Everything from live-in childcare to meals has been taken care of. Brian and some of the kids are sick though, so please pray for healing.
I am living at the hospital in a tiny little room when I'm not with Braxton. We are on a 3-hour feeding and pumping routine which means I only get short breaks for eating and sleeping. So far I am holding up, but things are starting to take their toll on me.
We are not sure about a discharge date yet, as things need to stabilize more. But we are expecting at least a couple more days.
Thank you again for all your prayers.
In good news, Braxton had an excellent nursing this morning. Please pray that those continue with regularity. He is also maintaining a good body temp as the temp in his bed slowly gets turned down.
We have a lot of support from friends and family right now, and we are so thankful. Everything from live-in childcare to meals has been taken care of. Brian and some of the kids are sick though, so please pray for healing.
I am living at the hospital in a tiny little room when I'm not with Braxton. We are on a 3-hour feeding and pumping routine which means I only get short breaks for eating and sleeping. So far I am holding up, but things are starting to take their toll on me.
We are not sure about a discharge date yet, as things need to stabilize more. But we are expecting at least a couple more days.
Thank you again for all your prayers.
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