Day 18 - Steroids

January 17, 2021

1/17/21 - Sunday

Morning: X-ray is not good. Lungs have whited out. Filled with air sacs and cannot see the dim locations showing it’s closed up. This is suggesting some sort of irritation. Needed 100% oxygen last night, so James is going to need the Decadrone steroid in small doses for the next several days.

He’s also having trouble with IV access due to not many more locations for it due to his size. Suggesting a PICC line to help with medication and feed for the next few days without having to prick him so often. However, if/when James needs another blood transfusion, the PICC line will not be able to be used for this.

He is tolerating his feed. Shows good signs for his intestines. Blood looks good.

Afternoon: We were excused from the NICU so they can put the PICC line into James leg. As I was briefly watching through the window, a nurse says “As a senior nurse I’m not doing this one. One of the new nurses needs the practice.” — EXCUSE ME! She proceeded to say “you can wait in the lobby area and I’ll come check on you in an hour or so instead of standing here and watching.” As a calm, non-confrontational dad, I obliged. But first I had to throw in a remark - “I don’t really feel comfortable with our son getting practiced on right now. Is there a senior nurse that can do this PICC line?” ... she says - “the senior nurse is doing the PICC line. She’s also training a newer nurse in the process.”

What the heck ... SO WHY SAY WHAT SHE SAID ORIGINALLY?? This is unnecessary bedside manner and created a paranoia that the parents don’t need while their son is getting an invasive procedure done. 🤦‍♂️

Evening: Oxygen went down to 65% which is great progress. This is before the steroid that he will be getting at 10pm. His feed is up to 6 ML, which is also great progress. The goal right now is to get his lungs to grow and mature, not for James to breathe on his own. He just needs to remain relaxed and calm so the oscillator can do the work for him. Blood Sugar is 142, compared to 144 last night, which is good. Weighed in at 775g or 1.7 lbs or 1 lb 11 ounces. Overall, solid progress for now. By tomorrow morning, he will have the steroid, the antibiotic, his feeding, and his glycerin to help move his bowel. This should help make tomorrow that much better.🤞

Mama is also pumping 600-700ML daily and has now filled up the hospital’s fridge and freezer. We now need to find a freezer for home so we can stock up mama’s milk for Baby James! She’s rocking it.