Mom's Touch

Gus had already had a pretty exciting day when we arrived this afternoon. His nurse, Penny, told us that he had extubated himself (i.e. pulled his respirator tube out) and caused quite a fuss in the NICU. They tried to keep him off the respirator, but he really needed to be back on so they re-tubed him for the time being...

Gus had just gotten a dose of steroids and caffeine to help boost his lung healing. It was too early to see any effects of these medications.

Jill kept her hand in the isolette, giving some comfort to Gus while we were there. He liked to be touched, but he also was a little restless from all the activity and new medication. He liked the pacifier again - it seemed to calm him and give him something to do with his hands other than pull at his respirator tube!

Gus is still hanging around the 1 kilogram (2.25 lb) weight give or take 1/2 ounce each day. He is on maximum mom's milk feedings now and has begun to get a calorie boost mixed in to the breast milk. All of his external IV lines have been removed as well. He is getting all his nutrition and medicine via the feeding tube that runs down his nose into his stomach.

The doctor who we felt had been really abrupt yesterday was very kind to us today and took the time to explain more of what was going on with Gus' condition and steroid treatments. I probably need to give him a break - it was just really scary to us. We feel like we can handle a lot but our hearts are still so raw with emotion that it is easy to be startled. Gus is an awesome guy and we are so happy to see him have the strength to grow and respond to these treatments.

Gratefully,
Gregg, Jill and Gus