Austin had another great day and super busy! Medically, he was seen by the intensivist, surgery (Dr. Lilligard is the surgeon of the week) and Dr. Ferenci (GI)! All doctors agreed that he is doing well with tapering the ativan and methadone. They also agreed that he's tolerating his feeds well, so they wrote orders to increase his feeds by a mL each day (today he was on 2mL/hr and tomorrow he will increase to 3mL/hr). Dr. Ferenci reassured me that we can not do harm, but if we increase his feedings too fast, it will cause vomiting or "dumping". Dumping means the breastmilk is going through him without absorbing. We will know if dumping is occurring if he is putting out more than 30cc/kg of weight. Austin weighs about 3.7kg right now, so over 110cc of output in his ostomy would caution us to back off on his feedings. So far the last 2 days, his output has been around 80cc! He's doing great!
This afternoon was the busy part of the day! It started with a bath after his 11am meds. He got all cleaned up and even got to put on clothes! The nurse practitioner who specializes in skin stopped by and I helped her change his ostomy bag. It needs changed every 3 days so I've been told it's all me on Friday!
Then speech therapy and occupational therapy came in to see him for the first time! Speech therapy will focus on keeping him ready to return to feeding orally when he is ready and occupational therapy will help us to keep his muscle tone and strength! With permission from the surgeons, he may be doing tummy time soon! He did a great job with both!
After all of that, he hung out in his swing until Grammy stopped by and scooped him up for some cuddles! Daddy went to the office for work today so we missed him!
There was big discussion today about whether Austin is stable enough to move to another unit. It was decided he should go to ICC (intermediate critical care) and not the regular floor because we are approaching flu season. When they called for a bed, they were told it would be at least a week before they would have availability for him. So, it's most likely he will stay in PICU for the remainder of his hospital stay...we are thinking approximately 2 more weeks.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers! None of this is easy, but we are doing it and we know Austin has a huge support team cheering him on! One day at a time...
Hugs and Love,
Tara and Brian
Max and Austin
This afternoon was the busy part of the day! It started with a bath after his 11am meds. He got all cleaned up and even got to put on clothes! The nurse practitioner who specializes in skin stopped by and I helped her change his ostomy bag. It needs changed every 3 days so I've been told it's all me on Friday!
Then speech therapy and occupational therapy came in to see him for the first time! Speech therapy will focus on keeping him ready to return to feeding orally when he is ready and occupational therapy will help us to keep his muscle tone and strength! With permission from the surgeons, he may be doing tummy time soon! He did a great job with both!
After all of that, he hung out in his swing until Grammy stopped by and scooped him up for some cuddles! Daddy went to the office for work today so we missed him!
There was big discussion today about whether Austin is stable enough to move to another unit. It was decided he should go to ICC (intermediate critical care) and not the regular floor because we are approaching flu season. When they called for a bed, they were told it would be at least a week before they would have availability for him. So, it's most likely he will stay in PICU for the remainder of his hospital stay...we are thinking approximately 2 more weeks.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers! None of this is easy, but we are doing it and we know Austin has a huge support team cheering him on! One day at a time...
Hugs and Love,
Tara and Brian
Max and Austin
Tara, good job on handling all of this. And good job, Austin! Dr. Ferenci is one of my favorites. Austin is in good hands. Ry had Dr. ferenci for a few years before he aged out of pets.
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