Lots to Be Thankful for Today

Today at 3:30 marked 24 hours with no episodes of apnea. It's kind of crazy that no medicines other than caffeine and tylenol have been given to Roo to help him fight this nasty RSV bug. But because it's viral, the hospital says there's not much else we can do but let it run its course.

It was a hard night because Roo wanted to eat and the docs didn't want to give him anything. Apparently the high-flow oxygen can cause babies to get nauseous, vomit, and then aspirate. At a certain point, I just stopped holding him because it would send him the mixed-message that I was going to feed him and he'd turn into me and start rooting like he was getting ready to eat. That was just cruel, so I'd stand next to his PICU crib and talk to him and snuggle without picking him up. Sigh!

The goal with the oxygen for today was to ramp down from the high-flow oxygen to just plain oxygen to just plain old room air. Meanwhile, he needed to go from no-feeds to clear fluids (Pedialite) to breastmilk. Then, they wanted to wean him off the caffeine and, through all of this, continue to monitor him to make sure he keeps breathing.

At about 3am this morning, they turned the flow on the oxygen down halfway and said he could try some Pedialite. He threw up the first attempt but by mid-morning was tolerating it. By lunchtime, he was on plain oxygen and by dinnertime, the respiratory therapist had removed the nasal cannula entirely. The transition to breastmilk went just as well...he tolerated small meals (50 to 70 ccs) well, so we kept ramping up and he did well. Boy, was he happy to eat!!

They also took out his I.V. today because he didn't need any more fluids. He's eating well and they didn't need that quick access for meds that an I.V. provides in an emergency. He is doing so well!

Tonight, no more caffeine so we should get to see how he sleeps without the oxygen or the caffeine. Keep praying! We hope he has another great night!

On that note, we must say how overwhelmed we've been with the outpouring of support, love, and prayers! It is truly a comfort to know that within 30 minutes of our call that literally hundreds of people -- family and friends as well as strangers -- were lifting our little guy up in prayer! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!