Quick Update

(Original appeared May 9, 2016)

Jacob gained a bit of weight over the weekend (only 10 grams) and has grown to a length of 12.75 inches. He’s still a little squirt by any measure =)
He’s already has his head ultrasound early this morning and we’re anxious to see the results of that. His doctor may try the PIC line today or at least early this week again. We are very hopeful that will work this time so that he can continue to have a line available for meds, etc, while they remove the umbilical line.
They were able to wean him quite a bit on the ventilator last night. He had been running around 68% oxygen, and this morning he was at 48%, which means that it’s taking less oxygen to pump into his lungs from the ventilator in order for him to still stay oxygenated. This is good progress. However, bad news seems to always follow the good news. His kidney output has dropped again to very low levels. I can’t even describe his fluid retention at the moment. Our hearts ache to see him so swollen. Unfortunately, there just is not much more that can be done to alleviate that. We need to be patient and hope that his entire urine and fluid control processes kick in on their own. And soon. We now wait for his heart echo to help us determine how bad/good his PDA is.
We were able to spend quite a bit of time with him yesterday. Deb spent lots of mommy time with him appropriately on Mother’s Day. I went up in the evening and was able to touch him a bit more, and help the nurse change him and his bedding around. Once he settled back down, he relaxed and opened his eyes with that dreamy, inquisitive gaze that newborns tend to have. So peaceful and gentle. Let’s just say that we had a moment.
Please continue to pray for positive progress. Thanks! -R