Today Lucas's lung x-ray looked better- less cloudy. The medicine they gave him must have helped get rid of some of the excess fluid in his lungs. He lost another ounce by his weigh in last night and is 1 lb 5 oz. Its amazing and slightly discouraging to me that he's gone 2 weeks without gaining weight, but the doctors dont seem concerned with this when I ask about it. His feedings are being increased from 1 ml to 3 ml today every 4 hours. I'm hoping that this will help him get a little bit bigger and stronger. He did come off of the nitric oxide gas completely today and will be having another heart echo on Monday.
Lucas is still only needing oxygen levels below 40%. Most of the time he only is on around 25-30% oxygen, but baby boy was particularly sensitive today. Light, sound and touch seems to make his oxygen levels in his blood go down. Its very interesting how stress presents itself in a preemie. When we were leaving, they gave him medicine to keep him calm and comfortable. We didnt spend much time with him today, but I did hold his hand and daddy talked to him. I hope to spend a lot more time at the hospital tomorrow.
I asked the doctor this morning what types of things they look for when they decide to take babies off ventilators completely - I know we still have a long time for this. He said coming off ventilator depends on wieght and strength of the baby's lungs. They look at blood gases to see if he's getting CO2 out of his lungs and how much he is breathing over the ventilator. When the baby can show he can get the CO2 out of his body successfully, has gained enough weight and can keep his blood oxygenated, they will start weening off ventilator. This will not happen for sure until the PDA gets closed. We have a long road ahead, but two weeks of this journey are over and he's surprised me thus far!
~Kristen
Hang in there! If the doctors are not stressed over the oxygen, don't stress! Logan spent a couple weeks in nicu for the same thing and he was full term! He was light, sound and touch sensative to the point they isolated him in his own room. He had good days and bad days and spent a couple days needing close to 90% most of the day...and you've seen him now! The fact that your little miracle fighter keeps recovering from those stimuli that bring him high is phenominal. He's doing GREAT!!!
ReplyDeleteRikki
Kristen it sounds as though Lucas is doing great! I know it's hard not to stress and worry but...you need to try! I wish I could do something for you and that I was closer. It's amazing what doctors are able to do. My nephew was a preemie..3 lbs 2 oz ( a giant full term baby in contrast) but Jason is 32 yrs old 6ft 7inchs tall. My dad was also a preemie and he's 75 years old, so keep the faith that all will work out!
ReplyDeleteDonna