Jackson and Aiden both get gold stars today: Jackson a full star, and Aiden a half star, because Jackson's PDA is now closed, and Aiden's is half-way there. Aiden is receiving another round of meds this weekend in hopes that the PDA will completely close. He will get another echo late Sunday or Monday. This is great news on the homefront because it means that Jackson can start trophic feeds of breastmilk. He will start with 1 ml evey 3 hours for 7 days to get things moving through his intestines and bowels.
Jackson can also move off the ventilator and onto the CPAP mask. Both he and Aiden are on the lowest settings on the ventilator which is very encouraging. Since Aiden will continue receiving additional indocin to fully close his PDA, they will be holding off on beginning his feeds until Monday. Both Aiden and Jackson's fluids will begin increasing; so, along with the breastmilk (for Jackson), their lipid doses and hyperale (vitamins and minerals) will also be increased. The next step is to build up their nutrition and help them gain weight. We also have to hope that once the fluids increase that the PDA does not open back up again. If so, it will have to be surgically ligated - a very simple and common procedure. Common or not, I don't like my 9 day old son to have to endure surgery.
Jackson pooped again today, he is totally daddy's son! The more I watch his little mannerisms and personality, he is more like me. For example, Jackson does NOT like to be swaddled with his legs tucked in. In fact, he dislikes it so much that he fusses and sets off alarms on the monitors until they move his legs out of the blanket and let them hang free. I also have to have one of my legs outside the blankets at all time, and I hate being all wrapped up. Come to find out, he also has my blood type. Aiden, on the other hand, from the very beginning has resembled his mother. He kicked his brother on every ultrasound we had, and wanted out so badly, he escapted at 26 weeks! He also pulled out his ventilator tube as soon as the doctors put it into his mouth. He has Christie's blood type. All of these observations Christie and I both made before we even knew the blood types, but I think it is just very telling.
Aiden gained 20 grams today, and is now up to 1 lb. 9 oz, 2 ounces shy of his birth weight, and is still evening out his tan under the billylights on his belly. Hoping he gets out from the lights tomorrow. Jackson will most likely be put on his belly tonight. Both boys will also receive their 10 day brain scans to see if any additional bleeds have occurred and if Aiden's has been absorbed.
Pictures from today below.
Aiden says "Look what I can do with my fingers already!"
All 4 Above: Dad holding Aiden
Jackson with his eyes open!
Jackson again - staring at us!
Dad holding Jackson
We're so glad to hear that Jackson's PDA closed and that Aiden's is on it's way there! We will keep hoping that you won't have to endure any infant surgeries with the boys. If you do though, you're not alone - RJ was 3 weeks old when he needed surgery for pyloric stenosis (bottom sphincter of the stomach swells and doesn't let food through). I don't put it in the same category as heart surgery, but it was unequivocally the worst 45 minutes of our lives, even for a surgery that was one of "the most common infant surgeries". I wish I had some nugget of advice for you if they do need surgery, but other than keeping informed like you are and having support, there really isn't much that makes it any easier. It sounds like your boys are little fighters and we're so happy for you that they're progressing along well! I'm really impressed with how you've processed and recorded all that is going on with the boys. Keep up the good work developing and growing Aiden and Jackson!
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