progress

This past week and a half has been real interesting for Noah. The setbacks have become fewer and fewer apart and the progress has been very steady. While Noah continues to have a feeding tube in-place the volumes of food continue to grow with his weight. Noah is currently on what they consider full feeds. For his size and weight that is 10.5 milieters an hour, since he is on continuous feeds that’s about 1.2ounces in 4 hours. Noah’s weight is now 3 pounds, 9.6 ounces by next weekend we should have a 4-pound baby.

            Noah’s color is good and his apnea and bradycardia spells have reduces significantly his longest period without a spell has been 48 hours. Last night he decided to have one spell. Some of these spells seem to be related to his on going battle with acid reflux, which is completely normal at this stage of the game. I have had to remind myself several times that” he is not supposed to even be here yet” so anything done or gained is a bonus. His doctors seem to believe that the reflux is something that he will grow out of in time.

            Noah continues to be Mr. Popularity, he now has a team of neonatal gastroenterologist following his digestion and they have placed him on antibiotics for gut motility (erythromycin) if anyone is interested. Pediatric surgery continues to follow Noah related to his inguinal hernia. Noah is fortunate to be in Roanoke, there are two excellent pediatric surgeons both have made appearances to bedside.

            Noah successfully took his first bottle at the beginning of last week and has been working with speech therapy to learn hoe to nurse and latch on. His interest level fluctuates from day to day with the bottle but he is picking up that skill. Physical therapy is also working with Noah to strengthen his muscle movements and adapt him to Newtonian physics; apparently gravity is a foreign concept for premature babies.  

Katie and I are continuously blessed to have two excellent nurses provide the vast majority of Noah’s care. Noah would not be where he is today without the diligence of Lisa Bararra, of Sherry Elmore.

There will be another post tonight that will have few words and numerous pictures.

Apologies to ALL of our loved friends and family who have supported the Flynn family and continue to do so