A Typical NICU Week

Nicholas was doing well on the SIPAP until today.  On 2 seperate occasions Nicholas stopped breathing.  The nurse said he pulled himself back up after the 1st episode but on the 2nd he wasn't repsondent and they had to give him some manual breaths (they've given him manual breaths before even when he was on the ventilator).  I am a little disappointed in that I have to let everyone know that Nicholas is back on the conventional ventilator.  He does not have the tube in his lungs like he previously did but he still has the SIPAP mask on.  The reason why he's on the ventilator is because SIPAP is limited in its range with pressure and manual breaths.  His pressure was at 9 on SIPAP and now it's at 15.  His assisted breaths was at 10 on SIPAP but now it's at 20 on the conventional ventilator.  BTW, Nicholas now weighs 3lbs1oz.  He has lost a lot of fluid (which is very good b/c he was a little swollen).

I posted that title because this is very typical of the NICU.  They get him off of 1 ventilator, then another, and try him on a 3rd but it's too much for him to handle right now.  There is really no way to celebrate accomplishments because at any time something like this can happen.  It is a constant feeling of apprehension. I don't view it as a huge setback and I do know it could always be worse but it's like having something you really wanted slip right through your fingers. 

Not all of today was bad though.  Nicholas managed to mess up his mask and the nurse had to readjust it.  While she was readjusting his mask she allowed me to get a picture with Nicholas' mask off and no tubes in!!!!  Unfortunately, it's on my phone so I won't be able to show too many people now.  If you are wondering what he looks like he looks a lot like Mariah did as a child.  Here's a comparison of what Nicholas looked like at birth and pretty much what he looks like now.