five days: improvements

Each morning around 10:30 AM, the neonatologist and two nurses give a report. Over the last two days, the news has been positive. The most significant development is that Loki was removed from the ventilator today and to an intermediate step towards breathing on his own. The SiPAP machine uses a little face mask or short tubes in his nose to push oxygen-enriched air at a higher pressure, whereas the respirator used a tube into his lungs. His oxygen level had to be increased back to 30% in the process, but the respiratory therapist said that Loki is doing surprisingly well. With the tube out, we may soon hear him cry. I imagine it will be both joyous and heart breaking. We were warned that moving back to the respirator for a bit is not that uncommon.

The other big development is that he had his first feeding through his mouth. Mom has been using a breast pump, and she was able to feed him via a tiny syringe. A video is one the way. He now has a feeding tube to his stomach, which is likely to stay for many weeks. Much later, some bile came up from his stomach. An eye will be kept on this, but it doesn't seem to be a large problem.

I haven't heard more on the brain bleed. I'll soon ask when the next scan is.

All these positive developments are great, of course. But we remained aware that this "honeymoon" won't last forever, and we try to remain prepared for large and small bumps in the long road ahead of us.

His skin has changed a bit. It is closer to the color of pinkish-flesh instead of bright pink. He's got a thin layer of peach fuzz hair all over, and even dark hair on his head. All that will fall out, though. Because he has so little hat, when he moves of stretches his arms, legs, and neck, the skin is wrinkled. Loki really looks like a tiny old man.

He is responding better to touch. Generally, only Mom and Dad are allowed to touch, and only through a gently cupping of his top and bottom ends. Today Mom changed his micro-diaper and took his temperature.

My mother has been a huge help, running errands and taking care of practical tasks as she does best. Mom's mother and step-father (Oma and Opa) arrived yesterday, but there was some concern about Oma's recent cold. So after a quick visit with Mom, they are on a brief trip to see other relatives until she clears up.

Mom will be discharged form the hospital within a couple hours. This will be tough on her. The last couple days and nights, she has been able to walk up to the NICU on her own if she can't sleep. Now, not only will she be in a different building from her new son, but she'll need a lift to the hospital to see him. Soon, though, I expect her to be able to walk there on her own. And she can always call anytime to check on his status.

As always, thanks for your words and deeds of support.