Ian is sick

Ian has a cold. He's got a really moist cough and wheezing. They sent off cultures to test for flu & rsv...but they aren't back yet. He is only getting the bottle like once a day now to "attempt" to eat from it. They are putting his feeds down the feeding tube (45cc every 3 hours). The developmentalist and speech pathologist saw him this week and think he's too sensitive and wears out too easily, so they think making him drink from a bottle right now is too much. He's up to 8lb 4.5oz & 20in long.

Ian is off of oxygen!

I walked into the nicu today to find Ian sleeping in his bouncy seat with no oxygen on. The nurse had pulled it off early this morning and said he's done fine all day without it and doesn't need it. They increased his feeds to 20cc every 3 hours this morning, then this afternoon the dr increased them again to 25cc every 3 hours. I asked the dr "if he continues to do well like this and no problems arise, when might we be looking at taking him home?".... Doc says "well, we want to get him to 2oz every 3hrs to get off of the tpn....sooooo....maybe by the end of the week"..... I about fell out of my chair! I said "you are kidding" , he said "no, maybe early next week, we don't want to push him, but maybe by the end of the week". I just cannot believe it, it doesn't seem real.

Ian's 4th surgery

Ian had surgery Friday to place a new central line. Everything went quick and went well. He was put under and placed on the ventilator during surgery, but came off the vent in recovery. He was wide awake the rest of the day, acting like it was any other day. No problems, didn't even make him sleepy for the day. He's now on bottle feeds of 15cc every 3 hours. He's down to 23% oxygen at only 1/4 liter. He's doing so much better. I hope things keep going so well for him. He'll be 5 months old next sunday! If things keep going well, hopefully he'll be home within a month! He got up to 8lb 5oz but lost some weight the past few days but still weighs 8lbs. This pic of him is less than an hour after surgery lol...... See, he just thought it was a reg ole day!

Update

Well, i've been sick for a week now. I had to stay away from Ian last weds/thurs/fri/sat. I finally went to see him Sunday and Monday and wore a mask ( still have a cough but felt better overall). Then Tuesday as i left work, got sick on top of the cough. So now i have an aweful stomach bug with major cramps and can't go see him again. So frustrating! He's now on full strength formula (neocate) at 5cc/hr and tolerating it well so far. He weighs 8lb 3oz. He's awake alot of the day anymore and is busy checking out his surroundings. He's a big boy now and he's almost 5 months old. The baby shower was last saturday and i got alot of nice things for him from friends and family. I was worried about not having things ready for him when he was released (from being off of work for so long and no money to buy the things he'd need), but all turned out well and everything is ready for him to come home and snuggle. I pray he tolerates the feeds well this time and he doesn't have another setback. The nurses told me that in all the years they have been doing nicu, they have never seen a baby survive NEC twice and that many don't survive it the first time. They say he has some destiny laid out for him ...for him to have made it thru so much. He's a little miracle baby. he's down to 21% oxygen at 3/4L....21% is considered room air.... The nurse the other day said she expects him to be completely off of oxygen soon. I was surprised to hear that, because they told me a few months ago to be prepared for him to be home on oxygen for about 6 months. He is getting his baths in a reg baby bathtub now (that i took up there), because he's getting too big for the lil pink bucket.

Cold Cold Go Away....

I have a bad cold today! It's frustrating because I can't go to the NICU sick. Billy is sick also...so lil Ian has no visitors and i feel so bad for that. Hopefully this will all go away soon so i can get back to spending the day with him.

HUGS!

Alisa

ALISA!
Yes he is getting big, he's up to 7lb 12oz now!! It's so good to hear from you. We miss you guys alot! Unfortunately this is the best place for him right now with all of his issues....so it looks like we'll probably remain at children's until he comes home someday...in case any more belly issues pop up (as he now has nec again). Hope you are doing well....Getting a cute big belly yet? If you have an email address, you can email me anytime as well at chevy_chic_@yahoo.com ....Didn't have any other way to send a little note your way, so you're special enough to have a blog just for you! lol. HUGS!!! And Ian likes his bouncy seat! :) Also, if you ever get bored and wanna come see how big he is, just let me know...I'd be glad to take you in to see him! Have a great weekend!

New Pics! 4 months old

Yesterday Eating a dum-dum lollipop:

Today before his bath:

All dressed after his bath:

Watching his mobile:

Laying on Mommy:

Update for 4-3-08

Ian continues with "resting" his intestines. (No feeds since last friday, repogle suctioning stomach contents). He's up to 7lb 12oz. He's pretty fussy lately, partially because he's hungry, then there's also the infection (necrotizing enterocolitis), and the antibiotics (one of which makes ya feel like crap). They have "volunteer cuddlers" that have been coming in and snuggling with him while i'm not at the hospital the past few days. His bottom is healing better now (had been excoriated). The surgeons are intending to try starting feeds again tomorrow if the xray in the am & labwork still look okay. He loves his new mobile, and often stares at it & his big pablo balloon. Here's hoping everything stays on track and gets better!!!