January 19-22, 2015 "Getting ready to go home!"

Jan. 19- The doctors say that oatmeal breaks down slower in breast milk than rice cereal. We may be able to mix his milk one time with oatmeal during a feeding instead of twice with the rice cereal. So today they decided to try breast milk mixed with oatmeal. (I don't know why they didn't try oatmeal to start with) Either he couldn't get any out of the nipple or he just didn't like it. We tried every bottle and nipple available! Either way, he didn't eat for two feedings. The doctors said this may be a setback. It worried everyone so we switched him back to rice cereal. He ate the entire next feeding. Needless to say, we are going to use rice cereal!!

Rayden's head circumference has been steadily increasing since his shunt revision so today neurosurgery decided to adjust his shunt to 1.5. This will allow for more CSF to drain from his head. He brought in a new device this time. It seemed more advanced with digital controls.

Jan. 20- 4 weeks old- The Pod G doctors said that if Rayden continues to do well, and Dr. Elton approves, we could go home on Saturday!! I am overjoyed! We started doing everything we had to do before discharge; bathing, NICU Knowledge, getting his medicine and milk recipe, bringing in the car seat, etc.

Jan. 21- We had a scare today. Rayden had a hip ultrasound. Two female technicians came to do the exam. Half way through the ultrasound one of the ladies left to call the radiologist. I knew something must be wrong. She returned, but before she could finish the other hip three radiologists were at Rayden's bed side. The head radiologist completed the entire exam again! When I asked her what was wrong she stated that the balls were in the sockets just not as deep as they should be. She said it was alright though. What a relief!

The orthopaedics doctors are suppose to come Friday and cast Rayden's legs. Everyone is telling me when they are finished no one will ever believe his feet were clubbed. They encouraged me to take pictures of his feet to record the transformation. I love his precious little feet just the way they are but I understand they need to be straight for him to walk correctly.

Elizabeth made Rayden this adorable turtle outfit for Christmas. I wanted to get his picture in it before the casts were put on so Linda helped me. I think he is the cutest turtle ever!!!!

Jan. 22- Rayden weighs 7 lbs. 8 oz. He is getting so big!! He had a rough night though, with a circumcision and a head ultrasound. (It showed not change.) This morning he woke up with a yellow discharge from his right eye. The doctors say it is a possible plugged tear duct. We just have to put warm compresses on it. This should NOT be a set back for us going home.

Rayden had to complete a car seat test. This consists of him sitting in his car seat for 90 minutes without any aspirations, bradys, or desats. He passed with flying colors! Yeah, let's go home!!