Monday, June 25, 2007

More Progress



Things have been very busy at the hospital over the weekend and today. I will try and recap the best I can.

Mason is still maintaining his blood pressure and has not needed any meds since they weaned him last week. The docs are continuing to wean his sedation and morphine. Since they have started this, Mason is having more awake time to open his eyes and look around. Sunday, Travis and I saw him sneeze, cough, yawn and smile. We loved every minute of it! The docs will continue to wean until they can get him off of the IV drips. After that, he will go to injections and will be weaned from those. Finally, he will get morphine or sedation only on an as needed basis.

Mason is continuing to make progress on the ventilator. His pressure is now at 24, rate at 50 and oxygen support at 30%. His blood gases are still coming back good so they may drop his pressure to 23 tomorrow. The doctors are very impressed by his progress. He is keeping up with any normal CDH baby which is great considering his severity and prematurity. He has even earned the nickname "rockstar" from 2 of his docs. Noah's parents have nicknamed him "scrapper" for his feisty attitude towards the nurses :)

Wednesday is the day for Mason's first belly patch closure. It will take them a couple of times (maybe even 3) to fit his intestines back into his abdomen. After each closure, Mason will most likely take a few steps back on the ventilator due to the added pressure on his lungs. We hope that they are able to do it in only 2 surgeries since he is so close to being "trialed off" the ventilator.

Mason was started on a very small amount of breast milk Saturday. This was increased very slightly on Sunday. Unfortunately he vomited Sunday night (and also tonight) so the feedings had to stop. This could mean that Mason's digestive system just isn't ready to handle food yet. It could also mean that he has acid reflux or a digestive tract issue both of which are common in CDH babies. These issues are usually correctable with medications or surgery. The doctors may try to wait a while longer and then try to introduce milk slowly again to see what happens.




8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great Pictures!!! He is so adorable! His progress is just incredible. Keep up the good work Mason (and Mom and Dad too!).

Love,
Aunt Jacquelynn

Anonymous said...

Mason,

Your one month old! We are very proud of you. Keep up the good work.

Love,
Aunt Maureen

Anonymous said...

I have been following Mason's progress closely and I am so glad that he continues to improve. We have him on our churchs prayer list and we will continue to pray for you both and Mason.

Grandma Peggy's friend
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Mason is such a cutie. We are glad to hear that he is fighting strong and doing quite well. Keep being strong for him. We will keep you in our prayers. Mason the Miracle baby.

Love,

Shelly, Chad, and Tony

Anonymous said...

Hi Mason and Mom and Dad,

What a guy! We keep getting such good news.
I only want to know how is Mason going to tell someone if he needs morphine?
Thanks for the pictures.

God bless you all,

An Alcona Friend

Anonymous said...

He is so cute! We can't wait to meet him. Mason is a little fighter:)

Love,
Allen, Beth & Austin

Anonymous said...

Mason,

You are in our thoughts and prayers everyday.
I will never forget the big smile on your Grandma Peggy's face when she told me you were on the way and now you are here. Keep fighting Mason.

Grandma Peggy's friend
Erlene

The 311 Boys Mom said...

How Awesome!!! Great news that he hasn't needed to go back on the BP meds!!!!

I'll say a prayer for you all today for the surgury!

He is a RockStar!!!!

Rock on!
Jen (Shane & kids)