Tyler is officially off of the CPAP machine today, and when we were upstairs he was on 26% oxygen. He is holding his own with that therapy right now, but still struggles if he gets upset. John did talk to the nurse though and got some sort of an idea of what the course of action is. Tyler has to cross three hurdles before we'll be able to take him home - and she said that she thinks it would be about a week or maybe two before he'll hit all of the bench marks. Of course, that is just her guess and no one really knows - it could be faster or slower - it's all up to Tyler right now and how quickly he moves from one stage to the next.
He will have to show them that he can do three things:
- He will have to prove that he can hold his oxygen stats within a normal range even when getting upset - right now his levels drop when he gets fussy... so that's hurdle number 1.
- After he proves that he can do that - he will need to learn to eat from a bottle or the breast instead of his feeding tube.
- Finally, he will have to switch to a regular bassinet and be able to maintain his temperature on his own without the warmer being there for backup.
In the meantime, we crossed an important hurdle today regardless of these other three things that my tiny man needs to accomplish. Today, I got to hold him for the first time... it was a beautiful moment that brought John and I to tears. I was thrilled to be able to hold him, and I think he enjoyed it too - he grasped hold of my finger and didn't let go the entire time that they let me hold him. I only could remove him from the warmer unit for about 30 minutes - which is the time that it takes for his feeding to be put in through the feeding tube - so we just sat together during that time.
We only want him to have minimal stimulation at the moment still because resting is what he needs the most right now to continue to get better. He also has a little bit of jaundice - so they have him under the photo therapy lights working on breaking up that billirubin that is in his system.
Here are a few photos of Mommy getting to hold her tiny man this morning...
It's just the coolest thing ever to know you're a mommy. I felt that way with James and feel it all over again with Tyler.
ReplyDeleteTwo new babies in a year...that's incredible stuff!
Beautiful! Will be praying for Tyler to make a quick and healthy recovery:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, terrific, super, magnificent update! I love seeing you snuggle your cutie!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, So it's finally time for me to come out of my "lurking"(that word sounds so scarey) state and tell you I have been reading your blog for quite a while. So how did I get to your blog? Well, I found you through the "other" Kim who lives in Hagerstown,Maryland. I think thats the one..
ReplyDelete..I found her through a mutual blog related to Weight loss surgery. I had the surgery in Nov. 2008 and Kim wass a source of great support to me. We both had our surgery at Johns Hopkins so we had lots in common to share. Anyway since I'm writing this at work, I just wanted to say "I love your Blog"...A little about me, I live in Northern Baltimore County,. MD. I'm 55, have 2 beautiful children, Annie who is 24 and a 1st grade teacher and Greg who is 22, a college student who also happens to have Asberger's Syndrome. And don't let me forget a wonderful husband!! Anyway I just wanted to say Congratulations to you and John on the birth of Tyler and to his big brother James. You have been an inspiration to me in so many of the things you have written about Life, love and everythign else !...Take care..Susan
Oh Kim! I'm so happy that he is here. Thinking about you!
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