October 14th: This week is crazy awesome for Duke. When I went to the hospital today I was greeted by the nurse saying words that were music to my ears “The doctors want to introduce Duke to a bottle today.” I was beyond stoked because we all know what he needs to do to get home,
1. Breathe without the ventilator (check)
2. Maintain his temperature (check)
3. Be able to feed via his mouth or tube
4. Be over 5 pounds (check)
5. Breathe and maintain his stats without an oxygen support
I asked the nurse to do the first feedings because with a new baby (especially a preemie) there are special ways you need to help handle the baby and their mouth. Duke did three attempts for his first time. On his first attempt he took 5 ml by mouth. What Duke needs to work on is breathing and eating at the same time. If you want to see the footage scroll down to see the video.
Duke’s eye has cleared up nicely. He still has a bit of goop in his right eye but the eye drops they have given him have worked wonders. I actually got to do the eye drops today, which he did without a peep. I guess you figure everything this little guy has had happen in the past month a couple of drops of medicine in the eye aren’t a bad idea.
The infusion went very well for my little bird. His CO2 is the best it has ever been since he is now full of blood which allows him to get more oxygen circulating through his system. His hemoglobin count is much better now also. They are going to keep the IV in just in case he needs some more red blood cells.
Duke has been gaining in grams daily, which is good, but today I needed to find the newborn sleepers to wash and get him ready for tomorrow. Now he is still skinny, but the preemie clothes are a little short for my little big bird.
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