Update 2

Monday February 8Th-McKay was taken off the C Pap and put back on the nasal cannula, it should be the last time that he is switched. They did an eye test as part of the genetic testing and everything came back normal. His biliruben is good and is off the lights for good. They did an ultrasound on his tailbone, one of his nurses noticed a small dimple on his tailbone and showed the doctor. They thought because of my history with the Pylenydol cyst they should ultrasound it. They were a little concerned with the ultrasound. There is a section that is a little deep and some of the nerves seem to be tight right by the end of his tailbone. They are going to do an MRI to get a better look. He also needed a catheter this morning to empty his bladder, should only be a one time thing.

Tuesday February 9th-Did the MRI while I was there today, they are actually sending the images up to Primary Children's to have a pediatric radiologist look at it. He was sedated for most of the day. They took out his PIC line today, so he has no IV's any more. They are switching his Hydrocortizone dose (steroid) to oral and are cutting it in half each time they give it.

Wednesday February 10th-Still waiting for results from the MRI at Primary's. He is still on the nasal cannula with some oxygen. Tried the first breast feeding today. Went about like I expected, but I was hopeful it would go better. He really only got maybe 5 good sucks so I don't think he really got any milk. He seemed pretty confused by the whole thing. It was a little disappointing for me.

Thursday February 11th-The results from the MRI came back all normal, nothing to worry about!! Yeah! I gave him 2 feedings today. One in the morning with the help of the lactation specialist (very helpful). His breathing did go up a little while we were feeding so the nurse was concerned about that. The doctor said it was okay to keep feeding him but they wanted me to work with an Occupational Therapist. She helped at the night feeding and was a HUGE help! She showed me how to hold him the best way for his breathing and being a preemie. She also showed me how to watch when he needed a break or his breathing was getting to elevated. He got about 1/2 oz just from me at his evening feeding! I felt a lot better about things after both of the feedings. His weight is up to about 7 lbs.

Friday February 12th-I went in for his afternoon feeding and had the help of the occupational therapist again. The feeding went very well and he got almost a full ounce from that feeding. We did get the result from the echo that they did on his heart. (It was a follow up echo from last week, they were checking a couple of things.) They did find out that the flap that is on the very top part chambers of his heart has not closed. It usually closes when they are in the womb but with a lot of preemies it has not closed. They were hoping it would have by now. They also discovered he is have hypertension (high blood pressure) in the arteries that go from his heart to his lungs. The doctor wanted to talk to the ultrasound technician to see what the course of action would be. The doctor that is a geneticist looked at him again to see if anything was linked or he had a syndrome of any kind. She said she thinks there is nothing wrong and he just has a big head!

Saturday February 13th-The morning feeding went well, but I could tell it was wearing him out and his breathing was pretty labored. But he did a good job and every little baby step counts! They got the final results of the echo, everything they told us yesterday was correct. However they said because he was on oxygen they thought that would be enough to help. They do not think he needs any medication for it yet. They are going to keep an eye on it and will re-check with another echo in a few days. It is not anything that will keep him in the hospital any longer though. They told us to remember that he was really sick when he was born, and although he looks so much better he is still a little sick and is not fully recovered.

The only thing they are currently monitoring (besides the echo/heart) is his breathing and his eating. We hope that nothing else comes up! He is making good strides and we are hopeful it is not too much longer before he is home!