Samuel Update

ay one (6/26 Kenny is writing this. Pics are posted at www.myspace.com/highclass_kt)





Angel managed to push Samuel Elliot out in record time. You would think she has done this before. Little Sam was 6 lb 10 oz and 19 3/4 inches long. Good lookin kid. We got to hold him for the first hour before I had to walk him back to the nursery. People started comming in and waiting on the baby which was supposed to come back to us in an hour. After about 90 minutes a nurse comes in and tells us that she isnt happy with his color and that she was getting a consult with a Dr on hand. They checked his blood oxygen level and discovered it was at 70% where it needs to be at 90% or above. Because of this they had to take him to the NICU with lung issues. They were unable to tell us at this point what was going on. We were told that infection, premature lung disease, and fluid in his lungs were all possible issues. After a few more hours of worry we were given the chance to see him. They were still unsure as to what was wrong, but he had stableized. Thry a CPap they were giving him oxygen in a higher than normal dose and with a bit more pressure. The CPap is just tubes to the nose that puff air into his lungs. He is being kept in the NICU and we are no longer given the chance to hold him. The Dr's attempt to reassure us on the situation over and over again, but when it ends with "But we really dont know yet", it isnt as helpful as we would like.

Day 2 6/27
Anyway, we got back up to the hospital to find out Samuel was doing a bit better. X-rays today showed that his left lung seems to be the problem, tho they still cant say for certin what it is. They believe that it is fluid in his lings and should clear up. Infection was ruled out because his blood work came back clean. Thru the night they had lowered his oxygen in his tubes from 33% down to 21% (the normal level that we breath), however the pressure in the tubes is needing to stay high because when they lower it he has troubles breathing. Dad and Isaiah got to go in and see him for the first time today. Because he is being kept asleep they didnt get any reaction.
Angel got to go in this evening and help feed him his first formula. (To this point all his food and water came by way of his IV) Angel held the feeding tube and got to hold his had. After a while he started to have hickups. Thru the night they are planning to lower the oxygen pressure levels slowly adn see how he reacts. Over the next few days they hope to have him ready to come home, however they said they are leary to predict anything because it could be weeks. His status can change from hour to hour and can be hard to predict.