The occupational therapists came by for Matthew's 9am feeding this morning. He only took 13cc's via bottle; huge bummer. These people are s'posed to be the experts! Anyway, when his bottle feedings come up short, he gets the rest via his NG tube (this time 37cc's to get his needed 50cc's. The OTs will be back for tomorrow's 3pm feeding. This was a huge letdown early in the day on top of our concerns over his jaundice.
However an hour later during rounds, the attending physician told us (reminded since we had the same thing with Jax) that jaundice presents on the face first and continues down the body to the feet, and recedes the opposite way (feet to head). So Matthew's nose is still a bit yellow, but his legs are perfect. SO! No need for yet *another* bilirubin (sp?) test. Yay! Additionally, the attending and residents all agreed that he can start taking the bottle at each feeding (and only use the NG tube when necessary to finish up). Yay again!
Matthew's currently off getting a skeletal survey done (basically x-raying every bone in the body). The vampires need blood for three different lab tests yet, and hopefully they can get it all at once and soon. They tried all day for a large sample (approx 2 tsps) needed for a chromosomal scan, but his body wasn't havin' any of it.
Please continue to pray for Matthew's little body, and emotional and spiritual strength for all of us. As well, please pray for his doctors and those of all the tiny angels we've been near since our arrival at TCH. Please devote a special prayer for a talented phlebotomist for the blood draw.
Thank you all for the incredibly loving words of encouragement and prayer. We feel so much better knowing that we have an army behind us!
I feel your pain on the blood draws. My little Robert was also jaundiced and they wanted to test his blood daily, sometimes twice daily the first week of his life. I had to tell them no a few times. His poor little feet had been poked so many times there wasn't any more room left and the more we had to take him to get tested, the more we had to take him off the light and screw up his whole eating, sleeping, light schedule. Don't be afraid to just say no when necessary/reasonable. It's your right. You two are likely exhausted, but you're also very smart and have good instincts. Use them and remember the doctors and other caretakers are only human.
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