Lucas is three weeks old today! That puts him at 34 weeks gestationally and well on his way to bustin' out of the NICU! :o) He has graduated into the Special Care Unit, which means he's one step closer to coming home! He weighs 3 lbs, 14 oz, is doing a great job taking feeds from a bottle (we're now up to twice a day! yay!). Lucas will also go into an open bassinet in the next day or so (as soon as they locate the bassinet...). He has still been having small and controlled episodes of bradycardia accompanied by spells of apnea (though the apnea is only every 5 or 6 bradys) and the medical staff has placed him back on caffeine. The doctor told us yesterday that Lucas may be on the caffeine all the way up to his due date (August 20th) which is typical of preemies and that he can go home with or without the caffeine -- Korey and I would just have to learn how to administer it to him while he's home. So, our checklist of things he needs to do to come home is this:
1. Weigh 4 and 1/2 lbs
2. Maintain own body temperature in an open bassinet
3. Take all feeds from a nipple (bottle or breast), and be steadily gaining weight
4. Go 7 days without an episode of Bradycardia or Apnea (with or without help from the caffeine)
So, we're working hard to check off those milestones -- hopefully we'll be home soon!! :o)
Much love to our families who continue to send us much needed love and words of encouragment. It's a tough trek everyday, and somedays are certainly better than others, but the love and support we've received continues to be amazing. Love you all! :o)
Taking a feed from a bottle :o)
Meeting Poppy and Nana Kat
Meeting Grandma Debbie
Meeting Grandpa Bill
Meeting the Great-Grandparents :o)
The pictures are great, and we are thinking of you all!!! Thanks for keeping us updated!
ReplyDeleteWhat is an address where we can send you all something in snail mail??