A little hurdle

Aaron

Aaron had a great day and was a model NICU citizen.  He took part of a bottle from Stephen this morning, and had a productive session with me this afternoon.  He is breathing well without any oxygen.  He still has a few small ups and downs, but brings himself back up fairly well.

William

William, on the other hand, did not have a good day.  I found out this morning that he had another apnea/brady spell last night, and his oxygen requirements were increased and he was back on the high flow cannula.  I immediately felt like he was sick, since Aaron had an infection when his oxygen needs increased a few weeks ago, prior to the PDA ligation.  A chest x-ray was being ordered, which turned out to be fine.  He then had a few breathing issues while Stephen was visiting, preventing his bottle feed.  When I arrived this afternoon, two nurses were at his bedside trying to bring him back from a big apnea/brady spell.  That's probably enough detail.  It was not a good moment for me.  When he did come back, he did not look like himself at all and they did labwork.  It does look like he may have an infection.  As a result, he now has an IV giving him antibiotics, Lasix (a diuretic to help with extra fluid), and TPN.  His feeding is stopped for the day, other than the TPN, but hopefully will resume by tomorrow morning.  He needs food!  He's a hungry little man! 

After his bloodwork, I was able to cuddle with him for a long time.  We both needed it.  He perked back up and seemed healthy again while I was holding him :)  I'm hopeful that the antibiotic will fix his apnea issues, and that he was only having them because he wasn't feeling well.  If not, then we have no idea what's going on.  If it's a result of chronic lung disease (which they both probably have), I don't understand how it would worsen like this, as the damage was done with the intubation.  Anyway.  The day was probably rougher for me than him.  Let's pray that the antibiotic takes care of it and we don't have to keep worrying about it.  Breathing is important.