Lucas Update

Hello everyone!  Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers everyone has sent for Lucas.  He is still in the NICU level 3, but he is doing much better than he was a few days ago.  Today, we were there while one of the nurses was assessing him and he opened his eyes to look around.  The nurse removed the hood for a little while so we could get some good pictures of him. 

Here is what we know: 
The ultrasound on his heart did indeed show a heart murmur.  It is considered an ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) which is essentially a murmur between the two upper chambers.  It could be worse and be a VSD which would have to be treated quite soon, but an ASD is less severe and there is nothing they could or would do about it right now.  Nevertheless, it is not what is causing his breathing problems. 

They took X-rays and the x-rays looked cloudy....like pnemonia.  They started him on antibiotics to treat an it in case the cultures they took grew something.  They were very doubtful it would because Lucas went from the operating room directly to the NICU, but they were being proactive.  They stopped the antibiotics after 72 hours because the cultures didn't grow anything. 
That means, it is not pnemonia. 

The x-rays also showed immature lungs which they think is Hyline Membrane Disease.  This is typically associated with preemies, but somehow, my little man has it.  It is nothing serious and it has to run it's course.  Typically, in 3 days it corrects itself, but if the baby is a preemie, it can be deadly.

What they think he has is TTN (Transient Tachypnea).  It is essentially a respiratory problem that has to run it's course.  Sometimes, it clears up in a matter of hours and sometimes, it takes days or weeks.  

Lucas is doing very well today.  The other day, he got up to 88% oxygen and they had to move him to NICU level 3 and we were very scared.  I am now home from the hospital and I had to leave him there, but I know he is in good hands.  I still have not gotten to hold him although I have gotten to change 2 diapers and those 2 diapers have been precious interaction.  He is almost on room air (21% oxygen) and if he can get to that and slow down his breathing (it's still very fast), he will get to remove the hood.  Today he started his first feeding of 10 mL formula via a feeding tube.  He does not like the feeding tube, but I honestly don't blame him.  Lily's was in her nose, but his is in his mouth and it is very awkward.  He has to work up to 8-2 oz bottles a day before we can take him home.

Keep sending the prayers to our little man.  He is getting stronger by the day and we pray that he continues to improve so we can bring our sweet little one home! 

Lucas Oliver Casey

Lucas Oliver Casey

May 26, 2011 

9:11 AM

8 lbs 11.9 oz

20" long 

He's here!  He's finally here!  

Our sweet little guy was born via c-section on Thursday, May 26 at 9:11 AM! 

 Lucas was scheduled to be delivered by c-section at 39 weeks because he was looking to be on the bigger side like his sister was.  The doctor didn't want to take a chance and have me go into labor too late into pregnancy with a larger child due to possibilities of a uterine rupture. 

 Lucas came out screaming his head off before his entire body was out of me.  When they took him to the side, they noticed that his O2 levels were low so they decided to put him under a hood to make sure he got enough oxygen.  Because of this, he would have to go to the NICU to be monitored for at least 6 hours.  Well, he's been there for like a day and a half.  His oxygen levels keep fluctuating and he isn't being very consistent.  They say his lungs look a little immature, but he is 39 weeks so they should be fine.  It is very common amongst white males to have respiratory problems at birth ESPECIALLY if he didn't go through the birth canal.  My doctor has been telling us this for awhile so hopefully it is just something that will fix itself soon.  They also hear a heart murmur.  They did an ultrasound this afternoon on his heart, but we will not get the results until later this evening or tomorrow morning.

 He looks just like his daddy!  Furry and all!

We love our sweet little man.  I am so sad that I haven't gotten to hold him, feed him or anything.  He hasn't even had his first bath yet! I just want to give him tons of loves and cuddles, but I must be patient and let him get better.  Please keep our beautiful little man in your prayers.  We want him to come home with us on Sunday, but that is completely in God's hands!