36 Day NICU Update
This week we’re grateful for our first ‘mostly boring’ update! Clifford is now 5 weeks actual, 29 weeks adjusted. After an unimaginably difficult week, he has had tremendous improvement. He’s continued to pee and has lost most of the fluid build up, meaning he is back to a normal weight of 1lb 8oz. They started feeding him breast milk again, although a very small amount to start, we are hopeful he can start to gain weight. We can tell he is feeling much better as they were able to wean him off of his blood pressure and most of his sedation medications. He’s spent most of the week very comfortably resting — much deserved after everything he’s been through. Because he was so stable, Codey was able to hold Clifford for the very first time on his birthday. We even took our first family photo where we are smiling and happy, what a great feeling to finally have this special moment.
As the week progressed, his oxygen remained stable and they were able to wean down some of his vent settings. With this, doctors decided to switch him over from the high frequency oscillator vent to the conventional vent, which provides longer breaths to Clifford that are similar to how we breath. He absolutely loved it and immediately went from 80% o2 down to 45%! Everyone was so excited to see this major step in the right direction. This was a really really good day for us. He spent a solid 3 days between 50-60% oxygen. I don’t remember the last time Codey and I were this relaxed.
We know there will continue to be good days and bad days. Last night Clifford had an episode where his heart rate dipped and his o2 needs went up to 100%. He was able to recover quickly, but doctors aren’t sure why this happened and have been looking into it. Since, he has been between 80-100% o2, so quite a large increase from before. It very well could just be his immature lungs and chronic lung disease. He’s still stable and tolerating his feedings, so we’re hopeful it’s nothing major and it’s just an off day. Overall, he is in such a better spot from last week, and for that we are so thankful.
Thank you for your continued prayers for our sweet boy. We pray he will remain stable, infection free, and have this time to rest, grow, and strengthen his lungs.
With love,
Sadie
