Joseph - Day 28 - NICU PCH - February 12, 2017

I guess time flies when you are busy (and tired), sorry for the delayed report, but here is where we are today: 

James - Still at home, eating well, sleeping lots weighs a little over 8 lbs.  Funny story - we found out he doesn't "like" Walmart Soy formula (as in throws it up) but "likes" Smith's Soy Formula (GO FIGURE!)

Kristine - Continues to feel better, but not used to get C-Sections nor for the recovery time from them either. 

Joseph - 

As of Today 28 days in the NICU. The big concern for the last week is can he eat from a bottle safely.  Apparently this is a hangup for lots of babies, as the primary issue is resolved, they get are delayed going home because they haven't figured out how to eat via a bottle/nurse.  The Occupational Therapists (OT) are great at working with Joseph and after feeding him a couple of time had him get a swallow study.  They were concerned that he was silently aspirating into his lungs because he would experience either a O2 de-saturation, or elevated heart rate when ever he was fed even 1/3 an ounce.  

For the swallow study they had him drink some Barium (NOT FUN - I guess) while they X-rayed him which showed that when he drinks a slightly thickened formula (they call it nectar), he has no issues at all (FANTASTIC).   With that figured out, they changed the orders so that at every feeding he could be feed 1/2 an ounce of nectar.  That was last Friday...and it has been working.  He got 3 more feedings on Saturday and had all three so far today.   Which he is taking quite well.   Assuming this keeps up, I am guessing that they will up his feedings more tomorrow (GOOD). 

Coming Home - They are talking about sometime in the next week of him coming home - even if it is with the Feeding tube (aka NG Tube).  It just means that Kristine and I have to know how to put one of those tubes in. :)

The "Getting Joseph Home List"

• Get off the ventilator - Done 1/30
• Turn off the heater - Done 1/31
• Get off all oxygen - Done 1/31
• Remove the PICC line - Done 2/4
• Start feeding orally - Partial 2/1
• Swallow 15 mls with each feeding 2/11 :)
• Swallow 30 mls (1 oz) with each feeding
• Swallow 60 mls (2 oz) with each feeding
• Get all food orally via bottle
• Gain weight for several days
• 2/2  ->  3350 grams
• 2/9   -> 3540 grams
• 2/10 -> 3560 grams
• 2/11 -> 3720 grams
• 2/12 -> 3700 grams  (8lb 2 ounces)
• Pass the carseat test - (maintain oxygen levels while in the car seat)
• Doctor give the thumbs up.

- Jason and Kristine

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Good progress! Thanks for the update. Can't wait until he gets home!
-Bishop Gurney