Saturday, July 19, 2008

A good couple of days...

Ethan with his new NG tube...and without his IV...that's right, he has both hands free...
Mom holding Ethan. I am still swollen and sore, but so happy that I can go downstairs and hold him whenever I want!

Yesterday Ethan had an upper GI to test for malrotation of his bowels...He DOES NOT have it! WOOHOO!!! This is incredible news. This means that we do not have to watch one thing on our laundry list of things we have to look for. The Neonatal/Cardiology team came by for rounds this morning and gave me the news and, smiling very very big, told me that if he did not have any problems eating then we could go home the early part of next week...as if a couple of days from now...to grow for surgery. No sooner had that been fed then Ethan threw up a feeding. The upper GI showed evidence of reflux and it has become evident that he has it. They placed a NG tube so he could better tolerate feedings and we could keep a closer track of how much he is eating. This will delay his release but to be talking about releasing him from the hospital two days after he is born is unreal to me. We have received so many blessings that I keep forgetting some in "thank you prayers". He has been upgraded to NICU level two which means that I can change his diaper and pick him up when I want instead of when the nurse tells me I can. He has surpassed everyone's best expectations up to this point. Thank you guys for your prayers, fasting, and thoughts. I know for a surety that this is why Ethan is having such good reports and making such wonderful progress. Sunday is sibling visiting day and my older kids (especially Elise) is ecstatic about finally getting to come see their little brother.

8 comments:

Rachel said...

Amanda, that is such wonderful news. He is absolutely precious. I am glad that things are turning out better than you expected. I will continue to pray for him and your family!

Unknown said...

Woo Hoo Ethan way to kick some NICU butt. Keep it up little man.

Jenn said...

Congratulations! :)

What is his heart diagnosis?

He's BEAUTIFUL!

averpen29 said...

Jenn...his heart diagnosis remains the same. He will still need at least one open heart surgery to help correct his heart disease. He has an AV Canal Defect, Double Outlet right ventricle, dextrocardia, and transposition of the great vessels. They are also going to have to move his pulmonary veins around when they do the open heart surgery (they think) because the pulmonary veins form one big vein and then drain to the heart. They will break those veins back into small veins and redirect them to the heart. But...Ethan's profusion is good and it looks like we will be able to take him home (at least to my sister's house) to grow before surgery when we get his feedings under control with his reflux!

JAMIE said...

WTG EJ!!!! I'm so happy for you.

byrd said...

Amanda, Ethan looks wonderful, you both seem to be doing okay under the circumstances. I am being nosy, did you save the cord blood, that seems to the "in" thing to do? Will the stem cell from that blood be able to help him later on?

Keep safe, tell your mom and Katie hey

Byrd

Jenn said...

Yay! I'm glad that everything is working out for you! I told you...parents can survive this heart thing!!! ;)

sockiepuppetsmom said...

That is awesome news! I'm so happy for you guys! Thanks for keeping us all updated:)