One step back...

Gus returned to the CPAP oxygen feed today after experiencing some pretty extreme apnea events this morning. The "good" news was he had one of these events when the doctors were standing at his isolette doing rounds. They observed his stopped breathing, heart rate drop and subsequent oxygen desaturation. They were also able to see how much effort it took to get Gus breathing again. After a few more of these events the doctor ordered Gus back on the CPAP - mostly to increase the flow and give him a little break.

Given how well Gus had been doing in the past week this is obviously of a disappointment for us. Yet it probably points to something treatable. The staff hopes to perform a diagnostic test to see if these apnea events are caused by an obstruction of the trachea or merely due to prematurity. His treatment has been caffeine so far - because of premature neural pathways that need to be stimulated. The doctor also wants to see if maybe Gus' trachea was weakened by his time on the ventilator. Gus will get to rest on the CPAP until this test is performed. Other factors that may have led to the severe apnea events include his immunizations last week and the exertion of bottle feeding over the last few days.

Here is Gus on the CPAP again - this time his head is big enough for the blue hat. His feeding tube diameter was increased so he could receive feeds via gravity so they had to insert it into his mouth instead of his nose. The entire 35 ml (1.25 oz) gravity feed went down in about 15 minutes! Earlier in the day Gus drained a 35 ml bottle in 8.5 minutes. Maybe that is why he became so tired. Gus was pretty sleepy today - he slept the entire time we were there except for about a minute or two. He is definitely not feeling "up" as usual. We pray it is just being tired and not an illness.

Susie (left) and Sherri (right) are pictured at the shift change this evening. They are Gus' primary care nurses when they are on 12 hour shifts. They just love Gus so much it is a wonder to see them care for him and for us. We were also blessed to have Penny around today when Gus was having his troubles. She was available in the unit when Susie was busy with other patients.

Gus gained almost a quarter pound yesterday - up to 4 lb 3.25 oz! Amazing growth... His "oil" supplement has been eliminated and he is now on breast milk and fortifier only. The occupational therapist gave Gus a massage today to loosen up his neck. He had the tendency to turn his head only to the right because of the position he had been in on the respirator and CPAP for so long. His PDA surgery scar is also under his left shoulder which may have tightened up once as he healed. We hear that after his massage everything was freed up and he was looking around in both directions.

It has been a tough day - mostly of "downs" and not many "ups." But we are still encouraged that God is doing a great work in Gus and all his NICU friends. We pray that this is only a minor setback and that he will be feeling better in a day or two along with having a diagnosis from his testing that will help the doctors and nurses treat these apnea events effectively.

With Brave Hearts,
Gregg, Jill and Gus