We got some clarification on Isaac's PDA condition today from the doctor. It turns out that his PDA did not get bigger but the blood flow between his heart to his lungs through his PDA has increased. That explains why the pediatric cardiologists wanted to make sure his oxygen saturation/SpO2 wasn't too high. However, the doctor said Isaac wasn't comfortable with the lower oxygen mix they were giving him yesterday (it was 23%) so they increased it to 30% today and will try to lower it and keep it at around 27.5%.
For some reason, Isaac seemed really uncomfortable while we were visiting and fussed and cried quite a bit (since he can't make noises because of the vent down his throat, when he cries, he just looks like he is crying). We took turns in laying our hands on him to try to calm him down.
The doctor said that Isaac's PDA surgery will be sometime in June. Perhaps in 2 weeks. The cardiologist will meet with other doctors on Tuesday to discuss Isaac's condition and probably make a decision as to his surgery date. I will talk to Dr. Ishii again on Wed evening so I should have more to report on his PDA surgery then. In the meantime, they have increased his feeds to 14ml per feed. I asked the doctor when he thought we can attempt to switch Isaac from the ventilator to CPAP (nasal cannular) and he said they will probably try after his surgery. I then asked if its possible for him to be switched to CPAP before his surgery and he said if Isaac can be switched to CPAP before the surgery, it would mean that his PDA has healed on its own and he wouldn't need the surgery. That would be a real miracle!
By the way, switching to CPAP would require Isaac to remember to breathe on his own as currently, the ventilator breathes for him (sometimes preemies forget to breathe and have episodes of apnea). Being on CPAP would mean we can hold him, do kangaroo care and they can finally try to feed him through his mouth and not through the feeding tube. In addition, when he has learned how to coordinate breathing, sucking and swallowing, he will be able to nurse from me directly! Basically, he really needs to go to CPAP before we can even start thinking about a date when he can come home with us.
As for me, I got quite impatient and antsy about Isaac coming home today. I started feeling panicked that I may have to wait quite a while more before he could come home. So I really had to take a deep breath and remind myself that God has made everything beautiful in its time. Funny thing is I received this really thoughtful care package from my Hannah's Prayer sisters last night and included in it was a fan with Ecclesiastes 3:11 written in Japanese on it.
Well, I can't believe its already 9 pm on Sunday night. The weekend went too quickly! I am going to draft my letter to Dr. Ishii regarding Red Cross now.
Before I go, I just wanted to post a few pictures from today for you. You can see how much hair he is getting and his hands are getting chubbier and more like a baby's hand in the picture with the back of his head facing the camera.
God bless,Sonia
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4 comments:
Dear Sonia and Jong,
What a powerful thought to wait on our God in His time. Reminds me that "In His Time" was one of our favourite hymns in high school. Isaac is really looking cuter each day. We will pray for the nurses and the doctors' wisdom on the surgery. Dor & Jon
2 months is a great milestone! And soo close to coming home!!! We got to come home at my 35 week mark and I bet he won't be there too much longer either!!
Sammie
we are praying for supernatural closing of the PDA so that he will avoid surgery.
Sonia and Jong, I keep you in my prayers asking God for the recovery of Issac and continued support for yourselves and ask God to give you both the strength and courage to face the days ahead.
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