NICU Walk and Special Care

Stu, our parents, and I did the NICU walk this morning. It was a beautiful day for it and it was really neat seeing the babies that were NICU graduates. Some were born as early or earlier than Brandon and were running around. It will be nice to have him there with us next year.

We went to the hospital after the walk and found out that Brandon had been moved to special care. Special care is the step down unit where babies usually go before they are discharged. It is much quieter there and there are less babies there. We visited with Brandon for a little while and then went to the NICU party that was in the parking lot. The NICU is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the NICU. After we went back to see Brandon again and I gave him his bottle. He is still having a bottle every other feed and is up to 46 cc's. He was switched to neosure today since he will go home on that. He finished the whole bottle in 20 minutes and burped on his own each time I removed the bottle from his mouth. Dr. Rekedal also started Brandon on diuretics today. He came over and talked to us and said that since Brandon's oxygen is at 21% (room air) on 1/4 liter he wanted to see if the diuretics help to keep fluid out of his lungs to help him breathe better. He feels this could possibly help him to not come home on oxygen. He said it is at least worth a try. We will see what happens. I am nervous that Sue is not going to be Brandon's nurse tonight now that he is in special care. I will find out when we go back tonight. I really hope she gets to come over there to be with him tonight.