Alexander's vent tube was getting too small (he's up to 2 lbs 12 oz - again, still a lot of fluid) and so the doctors needed to put in a larger one. Instead of moving forward, they wanted to see how he would do on a ventilator tube that goes into his nose, instead of his chest. This causes him to do a lot more breathing on his own, which can still be difficult at his small size and with his immature lungs. This morning, the tube was removed from his chest and he did very well. The doctors warned that he could need to be intubated again, which often happens with babies his age.
Since the chest tube was removed I got to hold Alexander! It was 30 minutes of perfection. He was able to hold his temperature and didn't have any breathing spells while I held him. As long as he stays on this ventilator with the tubes in his nose, I can hold him one time each day. I am completely thrilled as before this I could only change his diaper, check his temperature and hold his hand.
They will continue to monitor his vent settings, oxygen levels, oxygen gases and daily chest x-ray to ensure that he can tolerate this new ventilator. We are hoping that he stays strong!!
In other news, his feedings are back up to 9 cc every 3 hours and he's having good diapers (very important so that he gets rid of all his extra fluid and avoids any infections in his bowels). Over the weekend he began a treatment of steroids to help his lungs. He will have another dose tomorrow and then will be off for at least a week. This may impact his tolerance of the new ventilator as well so it will be closely monitored.
We hope the positive steps this week will continue to move us forward to taking a healthy baby home in March (his due date was March 3)!
Waiting to hold the little man.
Pete's ring is around Alexander's arm. Below, it's on his foot, which slide on his ankle the day his was born.
Here are a few pictures of big brother too! We talk about Baby Alex all the time and Andrew even asks to see photos of his baby brother.
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