Monday, May 4, 2009

10 Days Old

Gaines is 10 days old today. I believe I can honestly say that they've been the longest 10 days of my life. I just keep trying to remember that each day is one day closer to us going home. I've been missing home a lot today. I just wish I had a definite date to look towards. It's a nasty rainy day here (again!) and Gaines seems to be having a down day so I'm having a hard time being positive. I will say that I am fighting it hard and so far I haven't let myself get too down...yet. Check back in 5 minutes...that could change.

Gaines doesn't seem to be in any mood to bring is CO2 (I'm tired of spelling out carbon dioxide) level down. It was actually at 92 (should be 45) at his last check. He's still on CPAP and the doctors' plan is to start suctioning him with hydro-cortizone. This is a steroid that should help with the secretions that he's got. As best I can tell, these secretions are basically mucus that he can't cough up himself. It would be like if you had a cold and mucus in your lungs...you'd have trouble breathing too. He needs to breathe well to be able to breathe out the CO2.

I believe everything else is still the same. I think I forgot to mention that he's on some medicine to help with his digestive system. It doesn't seem to be anything too out of the ordinary. He has gained one ounce so that's good news. He's now up to 3 lbs 3 oz. He'll have to be at least 4 pounds before he can be released...among various other things. He seems to be tolerating his feedings. He's up to 7 ccs every 3 hours.

His heart echo will probably be this afternoon sometime. Please pray that we'll be able to rule out any heart problems. I'm kind of concerned about this because after the last echo they were going to wait 5 days to repeat it. I feel like they are doing it earlier because the suspect a problem.

We've got a great nurse today and while she won't tell me that everything is going to be ok (still haven't found anyone to tell me that) she's pretty reassuring that all of this is typical for a baby of Gaines' circumstances. I tell you, a good nurse makes all the difference in the world.

Please continue to keep Gaines in your prayers. Pray for us to hit an up on the roller coaster again soon.

Love to all,

Brittany

6 comments:

Giggles said...

Thinking about and praying for you and your family constantly. Thank you for taking the time to keep us updated. We can't wait for you to be able to go home and make your family complete again.

Blessings.

Jennifer said...

It really is hard to stay positive with yet another drizzly, yuck weather day....but, of course, there is always the list of thanks to thank the Lord for - especially Gaines turning 10 days!!! What a miracle boy.....do you have any more pictures?

Praying for both today...and for that heart test.

Grammy Jane said...

Am praying for you even now in Texas. I had twin grandsons born 10 weeks early and the NICU is truly a roller coaster. I'm praying for your path to go up soon. I'm also praying for you emotionally. I know it must be really, really hard for you to be away from home with all this. I'm just glad that your medical team sounds so good. Hope you and Beau both get a good night's sleep tonight. Thanks for your frequent updates and the specific prayer requests.

Jordan said...

Praying continuously in Oklahoma. I can't imagine going through what you are- without the comforts of home. Rooting for Gaines every step of the way, keep fighting!

Angie said...

Hold on to His hand little lady. I wish you could get back home, too. When you're away, you don't realize how much you miss those clay hills of Alabama.
Saw your dad at Hilltop Thursday night--he sure has slimmed up!
Love, angie

Michelle Gregory said...

Happy Birthday Precious Baby Gaines!!! Every day is one day closer to your family being reunited! And besides..Jack hasn't met him yet! That is going to be exciting!! It has been very stormy back here in Alabama but is pretty right now. When you wrote about the rain it made me think about a song by Jo Dee Messina, "Bring On the Rain". If you haven't heard it.."you tube" it. Very encouraging. Praying almost non-stop for you guys. I am praying for you and Beau (emotionally) and for Gaines' heart and lungs. Mostly, I am praying for peace. I don't want Little Man to struggle too hard to breathe and "wear" himself down. Keep that in your mind. So if they have to put him back on the vent, just try to think of it as letting his little lungs and body rest for a little while. Only a temporary rest. I am praying for peace so you and Beau can have (even for just a few moments) time not to worry. Hang in there and know you have thousands of prayer warriors that love you guys so much!!

Michelle Gregory, RN
Prattville,AL