Status Update for January 11th

Update on little Biggun-

The results of the ultrasound came back and the murmur is very present. They started him on Indocin tonight, he'll get another course in 12 hours and then the last course tomorrow night. They checked to see if the medication was working, and so far it isn't, but they will keep hoping.

They will try Indocin treatments twice, and if that doesn't work, we are looking at surgery. They will do that surgery bedside, but we are hoping to avoid it.

His blood transfusion went well. His hematocrit numbers are back up, and they seem to be working well at keeping his blood pressure in check. His respiration is still holding too much carbon dioxide, so they've increased the rate on his ventilator. Currently he's at 45, and they keep increasing it to counteract the carbon dioxide in his blood.

Right now, we're looking for lots of prayers. Please keep Biggun in yours for the next few days. We would really appreciate it!

Much Love,
Rachel and Joshua

Honeymoon

Looks like biggun had a rough night. The nurse said the honeymoon phase is over.
His systolic pressure is severely low, and they hope it's because his PDA valve is still open. He had an ultrasound this morning to determine whether that was the case. If so, they will try to treat with medicine to close that valve. If not, they will have to close it surgically.
Right now, because of the open valve, that duct is allowing blood to freely flow into his lungs. Its making his pressure low and his body work harder. So he had to be put on higher oxygen on the ventilator because his body can't keep up. The hope is that steroids will be enough to close that valve.
In the meantime, he cannot eat. So we expect him to lose even more weight. They will have to give him Indocin for blood pressure and right now he is getting another blood transfusion.

Please send prayers. Little Biggun is definitely going to need them today.

Much Love,
Rachel and Joshua

January 10th

Was able to see the pipsqueak again today, faring well.

He's still on a ventilator, and while they were keeping him at room oxygen, they moved him up to 34% right before I left because he had too much carbon dioxide in his system. They're trying to encourage him to breathe harder, so they raised it just a bit.

He is still losing weight, although they say that is normal.

Bilirubin is back up, so he'll be under some UV lights again tomorrow. His body is also tolerating breast milk well, and he has been having wet diapers, which is a GREAT sign for his digestion.

Keep the prayers coming! He has a couple set backs, but they are the good, fixable kinds! The doctor is concerned about the flap on his heart, and believes they may need to look at permanently fixing that, and I'm hoping God will find a way to resolve that through medication and not surgery. Cross your fingers for us!

Much Love,
Rachel and Joshua

Size Matters

Love eternally...

Little Biggun is wearing dad's wedding ring to show his love~

Stable

Last 24 hours have been awesome. Biggun is on room air and doing well. No d-statting, so no immediate counter measures in the last 24 hours. His weight dropped again so he's now 780 grams, or 1 lb 11 oz. They assure me this is normal and expected.

Keep the prayers coming! They are obviously working!

Much Love,
Rachel and Joshua

Ronald McDonald

Just got the call. Ronald McDonald house made room available for us. Looks like we now have a place to stay while little Biggun is fighting! We are so lucky to be so blessed. Keep the prayers coming, they are obviously working!

Much Love,
Rachel and Joshua

January 9th!

Little guy is doing great! I'm by his bedside now and it appears that his bilirubin is good so no more lights.
We are waiting for the social worker to contact us to help us identify what the plan of attack is for the night.

Here is a great top shot!