Daegan update

Little bugger is doing pretty well. He's up almost a pound since birth! Yay! He was moved to an open crib about a week ago because he can maintain his own body temp. He's still being fed via the tube...but 2 days ago they said it was ok to try to "nipple" him. We tried the bottle and he's kinda sucky at it...today I got to try breast feeding him! He mostly just rooted around, but did latch and take a couple of sucks...it was nice just to try. We're doing the Kangaroo Care thing (skin-to-skin contact) and Daegan seems to like it. I love it because it makes me feel closer to him. They also are upping his feeds almost each day to keep up with his weight gain. They decreased blood draws to once weekly. He's been switched out of "intern" care and into "attending" care because his case is no longer interesting/of teaching value....which is ALWAYS a good thing.

Some concerns....he's still having about 4 bradycardic episodes every night and a couple during the day. He recovers on his own and very quickly...it's just scary to me. The docs aren't too concerned...since it could still just be all related to prematurity...but it could also be reflux so they added Reglan and Zantac to his routine. He's only been on them 2 days, but no improvement so far. I'm not so patiently waiting to see if it helps. The other news today was that he has some immature white blood cells circulating...which is usually a sign of infection. He's sneezed a few times yesterday and today...but his oxygenation has been better than it's been....at least when I'm there (less desaturations). They did give him the RSV shot today...and he'll get that each month until March. So I'm freaked out by his blood work. Sometimes knowing too much medicine is a bad thing. If he doesn't have any problems tonight, they are going to recheck blood work in the morning....if he has any problems he's getting a full sepsis workup...bloodwork, blood cultures and antibiotics. I hate thinking about the little guy getting poked again. And then that means he'll get another IV catheter....more tubes....and more and more worrying for me.

They say it's "two steps forward, one step back" but I really don't want to go backwards! I hope it's nothing.

My hand for comparison....and I wear small gloves (size 6-6.5).


Kangaroo Care


The face



Givin' shaka