Update: May 31 to June 2

May 31st:

Jack sure loves to be on his stomach! Every time we come in and he is on his stomach all of his stats seem to be better. His recent blood-gas tests have improved so they have adjusted his respirator setting back down a little; however, we are learning that this is an ever changing process. Jack's breast milk consumption is up to 24 milliliters a day and they say he seems to be tolerating the food well, though he still is weighing in at 1 pound 11 ounces. Jack is still under the bili lights waiting for his jaundice levels to come down.

June 1st:

Jack lost his bili lights today! It was very exciting to be able to see his eyes. When they have the bili lights on, they have to cover his eyes with a mask because the lights are bad for eye development. We love being able to see his eyes open up. He likes to look at Dad more than Mom, but shh, Mom is in denial. Unfortunately, when we came later on today, his bili lights were back. Apparently his jaundice levels went back up without the lights, so for the time being he is staying under the sun. Our nurse Sharyl let us have our open time with Jack again today. These are definitely our favorite times. His oxygen needs went down again and the respirator settings also went down again, so he seems to moving in the right direction for now. They also increased his feedings to 1.5 milliliters of breast milk every hour as he continues to take his food well. As we were leaving today they were preparing him for his third blood transfusion, so we hope that goes well. It really makes you grateful for blood donors at a time like this.

June 2nd:

Happy 2 weeks Jack! He must be too excited because he is having a tiny rough go today. They found out that Jack has some bacteria growing where his respirator tube connects in his throat. Though it is really common, it is still scary knowing that he is so fragile and has an infection now! They are waiting for a culture to come back (should come tomorrow morning) and will most likely start him on antibiotics tomorrow. After the bacteria is gone they are going to give him some steroids to strengthen his lungs. He has taken a few steps back again with his breathing as his oxygen needs have gone up again and his respirator settings have also gone up. The good news of the day is that they did another brain scan and his brain bleed is holding strong at a level 1 bleed and there is no sign of any clots from that bleed which means it is successfully absorbing back into the brain. His feedings are up to 2.7 milliliters per hour. Jack is taking after his uncles and pooping like a champ! He also manages to find a way to pee through his diaper or out of his diaper. Sharyl, his nurse, says, "he is quite the character." Jack weighed in at a whopping 2 pounds 0 ounces today; however, we have been told that his weekly average is more accurate at this point and that he was most likely heavy because they gave him extra IV liquids and a blood transfusion yesterday night.

Mom cleaning out Jack's mouth:

As unexpectedly living across the country with a baby in the NICU has its fair share of financial implications a fund has been set up to help us with medical, living, and transportation expenses. Any gift is very appreciated, but don't feel obligated to give; however, do feel obligated to pray for us and/or send positive thoughts our way.