The good: Judah had a really great week. They took his breathing tube out of his nose. He’s been taking all his feeds by mouth, so they took his feeding tube out. HE’S TUBELESS! He also has been maintaining his temperature very well, so they moved him out of his isolet into a regular crib. The docs and nurses said he would probably turn the corner, and it seems he has. On Saturday they were saying he might come home Tuesday (tomorrow) because he hadn’t had any heart rate alarms since last Tuesday, but then he had a few alarms the last couple of days. So he won’t be coming home until at least next Tuesday, but things are looking up.
Also, they were saying that Judah might need a blood transfusion because his red blood cell count was low. This is normal for babies because their bone marrow doesn’t start producing the stuff needed to make red blood cells for about 6 weeks. So I tried to give my blood for the transfusion but they refused me because apparently there’s a risk for me to have malaria because I went to Oaxaca, Mexico in January to visit Jamie’s parents. But after another blood test today, his blood count went up and they said his bone marrow started working! HALLELUJAH! No transfusion at this point for him!
The bad: As for his liver, the gastrointestinal specialist came in and examined him and recommended that he get a DNA test to see if he has a genetic disposition for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency, which is a problem that can affect the liver and lungs. He ordered the test last week, but the hospital made a mistake and ran the same test on him they had already run before, so they’re sending that test away on Wednesday, so we should have results Monday, I guess.
Also, after swelling up like Will Smith in the movie, “Hitch,” and a trip to the emergency room on Friday, we found out that Jamie is allergic to soy milk. The docs told Jamie to refrain from dairy in her diet because they thought Judah might be allergic to the milk protein in her breast milk. So she had a soy milk latte on Friday and half an hour later we were in the emergency room. What a mom has to go through for her son! She’s okay now, but won’t be having any soy milk soon.
So that’s the latest. Thanks for your continued prayers and support!
Brett….congratulations! Your Aunt Cindy told me about the baby last week and then Andrea emailed me with this website. I will continue to keep Jamie and Judah in my prayers (and you as well). If there’s anything I can do, please let me know. Congratulations again….love, Gayle