I'm sitting at the hospital with Kristen and Brandon bringing you updates about Lucas.
Quick update on his status:
- Lucas has lost some weight, which is common in preemies like him. He's at 1 pound now.
- He had some trouble breathing this morning. He's having trouble converting his blood gasses. The doctors are switching him to a different type of respirator called an oscillator which will help do that for him.
- They tested his heart today because he was having some blood pressure issues. When babies are in the womb, they have an open valve in their heart which is supposed to close when they are born. The neonatologist told us about this on Wednesday and said that with preemies like Lucas, sometimes the heart doesn't realize that it needs to close. This is called patent ductus arteriosis.
- They're monitoring his heart and if it looked open, they'll give him a shot.
- We don't have the results back yet on that.
- He has high levels of billirubin, which causes jaundice. They're giving him phototherapy for that condition.
Kristen says he's adorable, and I agree :) Kristen says she is able to have a few more visitors, but she needs to know ahead of time if they are coming. She is starting to pump every three hours, so she wants to make sure if she has visitors it's not during that time. She still is limiting visitors to one or two at a time. Please let her know before you come. Hopefully, she expects to be discharged on Tuesday, but she won't be returning to work for a little while.
Here are some pictures and a video of baby Lucas:
Look at him move! I love it! He is showing he is a fighter and will amaze the world in the next few months. Hopefully your sister is able to take as much time as she needs before going back to work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updates.
At last visit, little Lucas was on the oscillating ventilator and responding well- his blood oxygen levels improved. However, he was too sensitive tonight for Brandon or I to touch him. We will be hearing more about the ultra sound of his brain tomorrow that looks for hemoroaging- a potential condition in premies. My pumping schedule is 8:30, 11:30, 2:30, 5:30 repeating. If you'd like to visit, please plan 1/2 hour after these times and call first so I know to expect you and tell you where I'll be. We have decided to limit visitors to the baby to immediate family for now to reduce stimulation to his environment. Thanks again for all the prayers and support!
ReplyDeleteKristen I am so sorry that you were having such problems with your health. We just did not know. Your baby is beautiful and he will fight grow strong and be a normal child. We just need to give him the time he was suppose to have. We must be patient and positive. Don't be afraid to lavish your love upon him. As much as possible talk to him, sing, let him hear your voice. He is missing that and trying to adjust to the space around him. Let him hear you as much as possible he can hang on to that. Lucas is perfect, thank you for giving our family another beautiful child. Our love is with you always.
ReplyDelete