Another Week Ahead

I finally have internet access again in the NICU.  It appears that I am the only one using WiFi in thia whole hospital since my complaint this morning was the first they had heard of the problem and the server has been down for at least 5 days.  Maybe my constant rambling will seem a bit more coherent to those that don't keep such sleepless hours since these writings won't be composed at the wee hours of the morning, especially after long exhausting days.

A quick update:  It has been determined that Oliver was suffering from anemia in a big way.  The blood he received did wonders for both his activity level and for his skin color.  Lethargic and pale are never good signs in the NICU.  Since the transfusion two days ago, he is off the IV fluid and is eating again.  He is almost back to ingesting the full volume of breast milk he was taking prior to his episode two days ago.  The only difference in the application is that instead of receiving his feedings via the trans-pyloric tube (into the intestines and continuously), he is now eating with the tube directly into his stomach.  This forces him to work harder to digest the food, so the milk is given to him in increments rather than continually.  This change should also help with the problem of reflux that has plagued him for several weeks.  His oxygen needs are roughly the same as they were a few days ago, and overall he is looking good.

At the conclusion of a long three days, I am giving myself permission to take a sigh of relief.  Contrary to my initial gut feeling a few days ago, we have not stepped back near as far as I first suspected.  Oliver is a tough little guy.  He is bound to teach Mom and Dad  a few more lessons yet.