They have been monitoring his blood gas levels, specifically the carbon dioxide. This is important because it indicates whether he needs help with his breathing. Typically they like this number to be between 35-45. This morning (Wednesday), Deacon's was 98. They had made a few changes to his respirator settings and the 4 p.m. reading had dropped back down to 51. The doctor seemed pleased with this number. The poor guy seems so worn out. He has so many tubes and IV's hooked up to him. They took his carbon dioxide levels around 10 p.m. and unfortunately, his levels had gone back into the 90's. They ordered another chest x-ray to be sure the chest tube is still in the right place.
Deacon also had to have a blood transfusion this evening. It runs over a 4 hour period. Many preemies, especially those on ventilators or receiving intravenous nutrition, have blood drawn frequently to monitor their blood chemistry's. All of these draws deplete the number of circulating blood cells. Because a premature baby's bone marrow, which is responsible for making more blood cells, is still immature, it usually can't replace them fast enough. Red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout the body, so without enough of them, his tissues won't get the oxygen they need to function and grow. He did great with the transfusion. D-man has been through quite a bit the past few days. It is so hard as we feel so helpless as parents. We're trying to be with the kids every waking minute. We just can't get enough of our little ones.
To end on a positive note, we did see Deacon open his eyes today and he stared at Tyler and knew exactly who he was. It was such a miraculous moment, one that I don't think I will ever forget.
As for Avigail, she's doing fairly well. She has yet to open her eyes, but she is yawning and when we took the blanket off her incubator she squinted her face. She is still having issues with her digestion, but they are continuing to give her suppositories to hopefully help.
Dad peaking on Avigail
Deacon holding Dad's hand while getting a blood transfusion
