1200 Grams and a Warm Body
Greetings and hello to you all.
Xavier has broken the 1200 gram goal and is (as of 8:00 PM last night) at 1205 grams (2 pounds, 10.5 ounces).
His stools are looking much more the color they should, so the Actigall seems to be doing its job.
Xavier is working to achieve (and is closing in on it) his goal of regulating his own body temperature. Today, his bed was turned from "servo" to "manual". This is a big thing! In servo mode, the bed constantly reads Xavier's temperature and auto-adjusts itself to maintain him at a preset temperature.
In manual mode, the bed is set to a temperature (28.9 degrees C, or 84 degrees F today), and Xavier is left to regulate his own body temperature (of course, he is bundled up in a full body sleeper and a swaddle). His body temperature was at 36.7 C (98 F). Hallelujah!
Kathy, one of many NICU nurses, but one Rebecca and I really like when she rotates on to Xavier's care, informed me today that the doctors have decided that Xavier will need the full ten days of his EPO injections.
One of the interesting things, which was pioneered at University Hospital, is how they "anesthetize" babies so getting "poked" with a needle and the burn of the injection does not bother them as much. The combination of sugar water and a pacifier stimulates endorphins which help babies not feel as much pain. Who would have thought this?
This has become Rebecca's favorite picture. It now replaces a picture of me as the background on her cell phone. I'm not sure how I feel about that :) I think (when I get a few minutes) I will make it this blog's header image.
Re: 1200 Grams and a Warm Body
I am so happy for little Xavier, bro! Sorry to hear you've already been replaced, but hey. That's what happens when you have children - they become your whole life, and the notion of "each other" takes a back seat. Just like clockwork. Congrats on your new status, you dad you!!! ;P