Details...

For those that are interested, I thought I would share the details of what is going on with Spencer. Here's what has happened from his birth up until now...

Within minutes of his birth, it was clear that Spencer was having a hard time breathing. He was working very hard so the NICU staff (who were already in the room since he was a late pre-term baby) said they would have to take him to the NICU for about 4 hours or so. I only got to hold him briefly before they took him away. After they got him settled in the NICU, they realized he was going to need more care than they originally thought. It was determined that his lungs were premature and so they had to administer a medication called surfactant through an intubation tube.

They said he could receive up to 4 doses, but they thought he would only need 1 or 2. He did so well after the first dose that they thought he wouldn't need another dose and they removed the breathing tube. He did pretty good for a while, but by Saturday night (July 19th), he was really struggling again. They had to re-intubate him and give him the other 3 doses of the surfactant. At this point they also believed that he had developed pneumonia, so they started an antibiotic. His breathing issues were the main concern, but he was also struggling with low blood sugar (although this resolved quickly), his body temperature, and jaundice. The doctors kept reassuring us that all of these things are common with babies that are born early.

Over the next few days he made slow progress. They were able to take out the breathing tube and use a C-pap machine instead. Spencer hated this! It was a large contraption that went in his nose and over his head.

He is now receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula instead of the C-pap. He has also started receiving my breastmilk in his feeding tube every 3 hours and has slowly worked his way up to actual bottle feedings. He is still learning how to suck from the bottle, but he's getting better every day.

Today he is down on the oxygen to room air and the flow is only 1 liter--this is great progress! His billirubin level has dropped, but they still have him laying on the light pad for now. He is doing better at controlling his temperature as long as he is all bundled up with clothes, blankets, and a hat.

I think we are getting closer to coming home, but they still have not given us a date. We are so grateful he is doing better and we know Heavenly Father is watching over him and helping him each day.