Day 9!!!

The boys did great overnight!!!  Joseph has been doing well with his feedings and has been increased to 2ml of breast milk every 3 hours, and has started to gain weight again! He currently weighs 2lbs 5 oz, so not quite up to his birth weight, but a very good sign that he is putting on some oz's.  Joseph's oxygen was also decreased to 40% last night, which makes us believe that his lungs are becoming stronger every day!  Joseph will have another echo today, he is still getting them every other day, to see how his heart is functioning, and if the right side has been able to shrink at all, or if it's just less stressed.  We hope it is beginning to shrink of course, but as long as the heart is not as taxed on that side we will consider that good news!!!

Nicholas has a good night too, his oxygen was ranging from 22-26% last night, and the nurse said that his blood sugars were in the normal range after his labs this morning.  Nicholas will have an echo today to determine if his PDA has closed, and how his well his heart is functioning.  I'm not a doctor by any means, but from what we have learned these past few days, I would have to believe his PDA has closed, and that is why his oxygen has been a little up and down, but I'll verify that with the Dr. today. They are discussing increasing Nicholas' feedings as well, he is currently still at .5 ml of breast milk every 12 hours, but since his medication to close the PDA is complete they will most likely try giving him the 1 ml every 3 hours depending on his tolerance!

I haven't gone into the NICU yet today, but when I do I will update everyone with some new pictures.  I"m hoping in the next day or two we get to hold Joseph for the first time, so that will be something to look forward to this week.  Also, depending on how both boys are doing on their oxygen and other needs, the boys could possibly be moved into the same room by the end of the week or next week!!!  We're not assuming that is going to happen, and we don't want to rush anything, but it's exciting for us to think they will be next to each other again!  We'll say our prayers that they can come off of some of their equipment so that can happen! 


UPDATE 8/19/2013 4:00 PM:  Well it took until day 9 for Nicholas to start giving us some headaches.  We received a call early this afternoon that his hemoglobin levels were significantly decreased compared to Friday, and that he was looking a little pale. The first thing that the nurses and doctors worry about in this case are infections, and bleeds occurring in the brain.  They started Nicholas on his antibiotics while his blood was sent to the lab to identify if an infection was present.  The doctor ordered a head scan of Nicholas as well to make sure it wasn't a bleed on his brain.  Bleeds can occur for no apparent reason and depending on the severity can cause no damage, or long term developmental issues, but the Doctor stated that since his vital signs were remaining pretty stable they didn't believe that a bleed was present.  They ordered a blood transfusion for Nicholas to bring up his red blood cell count, while they continued to examine the cause of the sudden drop.  It's also not uncommon for premature babies to have a drop in hemoglobin just because, but the Dr. didn't think a drop of this big had no explanation.  The doctor just now informed us that there was some blood in his stool, which could indicate a bleed in his intestines, they did a stomach x-ray and found nothing outside of the abdomen which is good, but they have a GI specialist looking at him now.  They are also giving him the necessary fluids to help increase his blood clotting, to hopefully stop whatever may be causing his issue.  We will keep everyone posted on his status as we find out new information.  His vital stats have remained stable so we are hoping this is just a little bump in the road for Nick, and we will not have any further complications today!

Joseph on the other hand is improving, and he has been increased to 3 ml of milk every 3 hours.  He has started to put on weight again so we hope that he will continue to progress at a slow and steady pace.  We really think the boys switched incubators though since we got so used to Joseph giving us some problems, and Nicholas was just hanging out, but Nicholas has built up his good day bank to allow for 1 not so good one today!!!  Please keep praying for both boys, and let's hope that my next update will show good progress for both Nicholas and Joseph!!!

Joseph being watched by St. Rocco and Guardian Angel!!

Little Nick not feeling so hot, needs some love, also being watched by St. Rocco and his Guardian Angel!