Thursday, July 23, 2009
Spence is doing well, he seems to enjoy his big boy crib and is adjusting to all the loud noises in the room. Spence has lost some more water weight, so he is now weighing in at 4 pounds 12 ounces. He is now able to wear clothes because he is able to maintain his own body temp. Spence is no longer on the C-pap , he is now on the Vapotherm and doing well. His settings are at 4 liters and 40% oxygen. Spence has also started eating again and is now up to 6cc's of formula. The reason Spence is not getting Mommy Milk is because he was unable to tolerate the fortifier being added to the milk. The Formula he is on now is already pre-digested, it is called Pregestimil Lipil, it is much easier on his sensitive little tummy. He is doing well on it and has had hardly any residual from it. Unfortunately Spence is having a hard time making a poopy diaper, which is making him irritable not to mention uncomfortable. The Nurse's were giving him a suppository at one point, but chose to stop due to the irritation it was causing. I am hoping and praying that he is able to pass something soon so he is able to have some relief. I have also found out that our little Spence has an inguinal (sp?) hurnia that will have to be fixed before he comes home. Spence's Nurse's have been telling me a little bit about what to expect for when Spence does come home. I never really realized how different life with a preemie would be. When Spence comes home he might come home on oxygen which is not uncommon for preemies, he will most likely be on monitors as well. Seeing as he will most likely be coming home in early to mid September, the Doctor's might decide to have him be home bound. Home bound basically means no one comes in and we don't go out, unless Spence has a Doctor's appointment. The reason they may decide to put Spence on Home bound is because he will be coming home right at the start of RSV season, which for preemies is a dangerous time of year. According to Spence's Nurse a tiny sniffle which is nothing for us can lead to a major cold for him that would put him back in the hospital. It all sounds scary but I know that Spence will make it through. We appreciate all of the prayers and know that Heavenly Father hears each and every one. We love all of you. Thank you for the constant support and prayers on our behalf.
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Ok time for PICU NURSE to speak...this is to all the anxious loving family and friends that are dying to see and hold Spence as soon as he gets home...
We have a saying in the PICU..."As long as there is a NICU, there will be a PICU" and that means simply that NICU "grads" have a much higher rate of admission to the PICU than anyone else...especially the first 2 years of life. The NICU nurse is right about RSV. Almost everyone has or has had RSV and most children get it..and it is a sniffle...sometimes it is bad enough to be in the hospital...but for preemies..especially itty bitty ones like Spence, RSV can require a PICU admission and often a vent...or even an oscillator. I cannot stress enough how important it will be to protect Spence. DO NOT visit, DO NOT visit with young children, DO NOT babysit Spence's sisters if your children have any type of virus...DO NOT GET OFFENDED if you are asked to wash wash wash your hands or not hold him...DO NOT get in his face or kiss him...ok that's enough lecture for now. It's just really really hard for parents and family to issue strong enough warnings without feeling like they are being unkind or rude but we all want Spence to be healthy and that is the goal....as bad as I want to see him and hold him and as easy as I could, I have not because I work in the germy PICU and I will not take those germs to little Spence...that said, I am so happy he is doing so well..you cannot imagine how miraculous his progress really is..and by the way...my RT friends ALL adore him! Hang tough Spence!!
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