Made it through the 48-hour NEC scare. Resumed feeds -- slowly.
Martin loves to smile! We enjoy trying to get him to smile. It brightens up our day to see his face light up.
The view from Martin's bed to the rest of the room.
They have started Martin back on his feeds today -- very slowly. They have him on 3mL/hour (he was on 21mL/hour "full" feeds 2 days ago). They are happier with his last few x-rays and he doesn't seem to be exhibiting any of the other symptoms of NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis). But he hasn't done a dirty diaper since they stopped feeds and so we won't know for absolutely sure if he has stopped the bleeding in his stool yet. However, they feel it is safe enough to get him back on some feeds -- but with a change. They are using 100% formula feeds now. The way I understand it, it seems they want to eliminate any potential lactose-intolerance issues and furthermore, because of his less-than-adequate blood circulation at the present, they want to try a formula that may take less effort (ie: blood flow) for the gut to process.
Martin is probably very happy to get back on some sort of feeds, even though it's a very tiny amount. He seemed to be pretty hungry (ie: agitated), but he seems to be happier now. I'm sure when when he gets back on his regular full feeds, he'll be happier still -- and so will we.
I think the best way to pray now would be that Martin would continue to improve in his health in every way. That he would get stronger every day and tolerate all of these changes very well. That there would be no more setbacks in his progress so that we could get back home to Greenville to be re-united with our children. Yesterday marks our 6th week away from home. It would be an understatement to say that we are very desirous to get back home.
Update 10:50am: They increased his feeds to 6mL/hour and his last x-ray looked good -- "improved" is the word they used. They have lowered the oxygen given through his nasal cannula, stopped antibiotics, and the last dirty diaper he had early this morning (which was very small) showed no signs of blood. So, we are moving in the right direction. But they are deliberately going very slow with increasing feeds. They want to be on the safe side. But definitely, it's good news and we are back on track. SLOW is the word for the weekend.
All that little Martin has been through...and, yet, he manages to smile! There is such a precious persevering spirit in this child. I am thanking God for gifting him with it.
What smile martin has! It is delight to see him in better form. May the Lord give you all much to smile about as He answers prayer. "Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them," Psalm 126:2. There are many praying in Ulster for this little one.
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