Acid Reflux?

Well, the hospital is our favorite place to be on holidays! Graham has started having these strange episodes where he tenses up and stops breathing for a few seconds. After he eats and is laid on his back for a diaper change he will stretch out his arms to the side, become rigid, bulge his eyes, and stop breathing. He first did this on Christmas Eve while at Matt's parents' and when I called the pediatrician's nurse advice line they said to take him to the emergency room. The emergency room doctor didn't find anything and sent us home. Graham continued to have episodes and the pediatrician wanted to see him. She didn't seem concerned and put him on acid reflux medicine. She also gave us a referral to the neurologist just to be sure. We are not too worried but the episodes are scary when it happens. Hopefully the medicine will help and he will grow out of it. This little guy sure likes to keep us on our toes!

Good report!

We went to the cardiologist yesterday for the first time since leaving the hospital. It was all good news. Graham weighs 11lbs 5oz! He gained a pound and a half in 11 days (since he was weighed at the pediatrician). His blood oxygen level was still at 99, which is what a normal baby would have. The balloon catheterization has done what we hoped it would, buying us some more time before the full corrective surgery. We will not see the cardiologist again until January 11. The doctor said we should be able to schedule surgery 3 to 4 weeks ahead of time... So Graham will probably not have surgery until at least mid-February. Graham's lungs sounded good and he will stop taking Lasix after this week. So he will only take medicine 3 times a day instead of 4! (He will continue taking the heart medicine.)

We were thrilled that Graham is doing so well. We will have peace of mind while traveling for Christmas. Thank you for your prayers. Praise the Lord for hearing and answering our prayers. He is good!

Graham has been doing better every day. He is back to his normal self and smiling and cooing more and more! He even went 7 hours in between feedings last Friday night! Here are a few pics: his 2 month photo and a photo with Santa!

Thanksgiving Pictures and Update

 At the Christmas parade.

 Turkey tush.

 Cousin Hayes. Sweetest expression!

 

 Grandmomma and Grandaddy with the grankids.

 Graham after his catheter procedure on Tuesday.

 I caught this smile before all the craziness ensued.

 In the PICU after his lungs filled with fluid and he had to be intibated.

 That's a lot of machines and monitors. Thankful for modern medicine.

 Off the ventilator! Back to the paci!

 First time holding him after 3 days in the PICU.

 Out of the PICU. Only the IJ (jugular central line - like an IV) and some monitors remain.

 Happy daddy.

 All dressed and ready to go home. Love this thriller pose!

Never thought I'd stay in a Ronald McDonald house. Thanks Ronald!

My milk stash after pumping for a week while Graham wasn't eating or barely eating.

We went to the pediatrician today. Graham checked out ok. This was very reassuring for a momma who has been anxious about her baby's health since coming home from a week in the hospital. Graham still has a lot of congestion. This makes eating difficult at times, because he can't breathe well. He has also been quite fussy. Please pray that the congestion will clear up and that Graham will be back to himself soon. He is taking medicine 4 times a day: heart medicine and lasix (to keep fluid off his lungs). Please pray that he will take his medicine well. Thanks for your continued prayers and love for our family!

Out of the ICU

They took Graham off the ventilator late Saturday morning. That evening we began bottle feeding. Yesterday afternoon we left the ICU and are in a regular room. After much begging and some confusion among the nurses/doctors we have been cleared to breast feed. They just came and removed his last IV line so the only thing he is hooked to is a few monitors! The cardiologists will decide today whether or not to stay for a shunt surgery but it sounds like they are leaning towards waiting on any surgeries. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Things are definitely looking up.

Today is the day!

They weren't comfortable taking Graham off the ventilator yesterday but today is looking good. Please pray for his lungs to function well and for minimum swelling in his throat. Once he is off the ventilator I can hold him and he can take a bottle!

Possibly coming off the ventilator

They are hoping to take Graham off the ventilator today. This involves taking him off the sedation medicine and not eating. Please pray that he can breathe well on his own during trials and his parents can tolerate watching him squirm!