Joel - 2 weeks, 6 days

What a big day Joel had! He was a good boy for the nurses all morning. This afternoon, he had a long-awaited eye exam. This doctor would likely perform whatever surgery is deemed best for Joel. He did an exam and an ultrasound (after which Joel looked like he'd been "slimed" and got another head wash and new bed!), and will consult with other experts to determine the best course of action. The good news is we have time.

After the eye exam, he was sleeping so soundly that I didn't bring him out to play. He still had some action to come...his nurse removed the extra IV from his bloodwork...and, drumroll please...his PICC line came out today at 6pm! His feedings are going so well that he gets all the nutrition and fluids he needs from that, and he no longer needs the vitamin drip!!! Instead, he gets a multivitamin in his feedings. Now he has both arms free to get into trouble grabbing his feeding tube and cannula (his favorite pastimes).


Before my IV's were out...


After my IV's were out...I have 2 free arms now!! (I'm so excited that I wouldn't sit still for a picture!)

The next change that might be coming his way tomorrow is a new, low-flow cannula. He has not liked it when they decrease the flow on his high-flow cannula, so they're going to try a lower airflow with a higher percentage of oxygen. His symptoms are not like most preemies, who have periods of apnea (where the heartrate drops, they forget to breathe, and the blood-oxygen goes way down)...he just "drifts" with his blood oxygen. They think the low-flow might work better for him. They compare the high-flow to driving really fast with your head out the window and your mouth open...it gets the air in, but it isn't so comfortable. The low-flow should feel much better for him.

In all, it was an eventful day for him! He's doing so well that he's lost another tube! Yay! Baby steps are good.