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!