Update 6 – Hospital time nearly at an end

Big news since the last update.

Three days ago Max had another sensor removed (the oxygen sensor) so he’s only got his heart rate and respiration rate sensors left taped to his stomach and chest. Two days ago they gave him a hearing test which he passed with flying colors. And yesterday the nurse removed his feeding tube again. This was for two reasons; over the past week he’s increased what he’s been able to take via bottle (from an average of 30ml to 65ml per feeding), and they’ve begun to supplement his milk with a bit of formula to increase his caloric intake so they could reduce the volume they were previously pumping into his stomach via the tube.

Today he was given one of two immunizations they commonly give to babies who have had the diaphragmatic hernia and/or spent time in the NICU. Tomorrow he gets the second, and on Tuesday morning they’re going to do a car seat test to see how he reacts to an hour sitting in the car seat.

All this is because he’s getting closer and closer to being discharged and allowed to come home! The doctor said (assuming the formula addition results in some weight gain) he might be able to come home as early as Tuesday evening. (!!!)

I had a nasty head & chest cold this past week so I wasn’t allowed into the NICU, but today I finally was well enough to go in and see Max, and he looks awesome. He’s growing quickly (he’s three weeks old already!) and his surgery wounds are healing really well.

At any rate, he’s doing great, and if he continues to improve at the rate he has been for the past week we’ll have him home by mid next week. Here’s hoping the Mighty Max gains the weight the doctors want him to over the next few days!