Tricia and I wanted to update everyone on the status of the boys. They are now 3 weeks and 1 day old. Tricia and I were able to again hold the boys for about two and a half hours this morning. For as small as they are, they both have rather developed fingernails which they like to dig into your chest as you hold them. We both have scratches to show for it - I am also now missing a few chest hairs which Anthony decided to rip out.
Anthony had a rough weekend, but he seems to be bouncing back. Last Saturday, they removed him from his isolette and tried him in a crib. He did not tolerate it well. He got sick, spit up all of his food, lost his color and seemed out of it. He stomach was also visibly distended. The nurses said it was scary, he was fine one minute and then he wasn't. We showed up as this was going on so we had to wait until the doctors could tend to him and move him back into an isolette before we could see him. The doctors were not sure what happened and they now surmise that his body temperature dropped and that caused the problems. They also thought he might have an infection so they had to run a series of blood tests. Thankfully all the tests came back negative and he seems to be back to normal today. Needless to say it was a stressful day which we are glad to have behind us!
Anthony is now near 4 lb. 8 oz. and he started eating again today (they stopped all feedings for three days other than IVs when they thought he might have an infection). They will also start some bottle feeds this week as well which will be another step forward. To date, all feeds have been through a tube in his mouth directly to his stomach. He is still on a nasal canula which provides a little extra air pressure to help him breath.
Alex is now near 3 lb. 8 oz. and is also gaining weight well. Due to his small size and the blood flow issues he had in utero, they started feeding him breast milk on a very slow 10 day protocol. The staff is very wary of a disease called Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) which can be very dangerous for preemies and very slow introductions of food are one way of minimizing the risks. He has completed the 10 day slow feed protocol with no issues and as of yesterday they are beginning him on a much more normal feeding schedule. He is still on the CPAP, but on a very low setting. He has been on the canula and room air for hours at a time, but he has not been able to maintain good breathing for a long enough time to take him completely off the CPAP. The doctors seem optimistic that it should come off for good this week. Alex also had an eye infection over the weekend, but it also has improved.
The big issues for the both boys are still their need for breathing assistance and the spells they still have when their heart rates and/or breathing rates drop. They are still both on caffeine to help with the spells and as they get older and bigger, the spells should diminish. The doctors will also continue to keep weaning the boys off as much breathing assistance as they can tolerate.
Looking forward, the doctors have been discussions with us that the boys may be strong enough very soon to be transfered from the NICU to the Step Down unit two floors up. The Step Down unit is where the babies will stay to continue to be monitored, improve their breast/bottle feedings, and gain more weight. Tricia will also be able to board with the babies once they get there. As of today, it looks like Anthony would be going up first and Alex later, but that can all change anytime.
Albie & Tricia
Dad & Anthony
Their first football jerseys - complements of Uncle Frank and Aunt Kim
