Week 34
Hello to everyone.
On the calendar, today begins Xavier's 34th week, but on the NICU calendar it begins his 33rd week. The NICU backs things up a week. I asked why, but have forgotten the answer. It does, however, work in Xavier's favor.
Xavier is doing much better today than his last couple of days. The staph infection is gone from his body. The type of staph was a "benign" kind which lives on everyone's skin; he may have gotten it into his blood through a scratch or through the PICC line. One antibiotic regimen was stopped because it has no effect on the type of staph Xavier contracted. The other antibiotic has pretty much gone nuclear on the infection, but Xavier will still be on antibiotics another four days. Since his PICC line is being used to both administer his antibiotics and feed him, it will be left in another four days as well.
He started on oral food again this evening, 2 ml of mom's finest every four hours. That is nice to see.
He had a routine ultrasound of his brain today where the doctors look for malformations and hemorrhages. The techs aren't allowed to comment, so we must wait until tomorrow to learn the results. However, from what I saw, everything looks good.
He is also scheduled for an ultrasound of his heart tomorrow. He picked up a heart murmur today and they want to check it out. Though that may sound alarming, it is apparently common with preemies. It may correct itself (high probability), or there is an oral medication that will correct it. If that does not work, then a light-weight medical procedure will definitively correct the problem. We are praying it corrects itself.
Xavier also has developed a hydrocele testis, his recent bout with staph and how his body responded may be the cause. The hydrocele, though not concerning at this time to the doctors, does have a possibility of leading to a hernia. The hernia, if it occurs, may self-correct, or require surgery later, after he leaves the NICU. Of course, we are praying no hernia and for the hydrocele to go away.
The IV the doctors put in him last week was removed today. Also, his OG tube was replaced with a smaller one (went from size 6, the biggest, to size 5, the medium). He is still on high-flow air at 2 l/min. He has reached a weight of 1 pound, 15 ounces! Hallelujah!
Always, thank you for your prayers.