Nathan's apnea spells (where he temporarily stops breathing) have reduced significantly. It now happens once or twice a day instead of 10 - 12 times a day. The doctors expect it to continue for a few more weeks. He gets straight medical caffeine injected through his feed line to keep him alert which helps him to remember to breath. They also determined that the preemie passifier and sleeping on his stomach are too relaxing for him as they both increase his apnea spells. A mix of caffeine and good observation has made a big difference.
Saturday, 9-2, he was moved off of the CPAP and onto a nasal cannula. He is on 21% oxygen just like you and I, and the cannula provides a very slight flow of air to help him breath. It is not intended to keep his lungs inflated like the pressurized air from the CPAP was. The nasal cannula is the final step before they remove all respiratory assistance and let him breath completely on his own.
He is now getting breast milk injected directly into his stomach. It goes through the orange tube that is in his mouth. The nurses are increasing his milk dosage to as fast as he can digest it. His stomach and intestines are still growing and learning how to handle "solid" food. Once they get his milk digestion rate high enough they will stop the nutrient feeds through the umbilical cord line.
He is also starting to open his eyes and look around. I think the caffeine has him pretty strung out. When he opens his eyes he just looks so exhausted. He looks like he's been up for days and just can't sleep! Oh well, breathing is a few steps above sleeping on the priority list.
Randy also changed his first diaper ever. That was fairly entertaining. He ended up having to do it twice since he accidentally got some of Nathan's monitor wires inside the diaper on his first attempt.
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