Thursday, June 26, 2014

Steroids Update



The steroids have not worked as hoped for. We were expecting to see major changes in oxygenation and blood gas values. Ezra was able to come down on his vent settings so that's some good news. He still has 48 hours left, so we are desperately praying for a miracle so he can get off the ventilator. 
To say the least I was pretty deflated around day 4 of steroids, when Ezra was not improving, but getting worse. When I called the hospital before going to bed, his oxygen needs were 70%. I just cried, and cried, and cried. I remember telling my husband God is not real! How could a loving God not answer the prayers of hundreds? And then I opened a few cards sent to us, and I was completely humbled. Strangers that never met me face to face took the time to send us a card, or a family we don't see too often took the time to send a gas card, families that watch Saving Addiction's website sent us generous gifts, or the NICU dad leaving behind a card and money for dinner as his baby was being discharged. If God was not real, then these saints would have had no drive to do such a loving, giving, kind act. So thank-you for saving me from this deep, dark pit of despair! ALL of your comments, cards, and generosity has truly helped me overcome my sorrows and keep the faith. We can not wait for our opportunity to pay it forward.
Now onto the little mans stats, He's 15 1/2 in long! 3lbs 5oz! If he gains a few more ounces, on Saturday (34 weeks) his incubator hood can come up and he can start wearing clothes! He's eating 1 ounce every 3 hours! We now have 1,300 ounces of breast-milk stored in our freezer for when he comes home and has a larger appetite! He's pooping and peeing like a champ, he actually peed on one of his favorite night nurses through the incubator arm hole. He loves his pacifier. There's no doubt in anyone's mind, when he's off respiratory support he's going to be a great eater! That will be one glorious day!
Ezra had his eye exam on Tuesday, and has stage 1 and stage 2 ROP Disease. We expected him to have atleast a stage 1 due to his early gestation. Please pray with us it doesn't progress past a stage 3.
If you're curious about ROP- ROP occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and spread throughout the retina, the tissue that lines the back of the eye. These abnormal blood vessels are fragile and can leak, scarring the retina and pulling it out of position. This causes a retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is the main cause of visual impairment and blindness in ROP. There's 4 stages, 4 being the worse requiring laser surgery and other interventions. (you can read more here)

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