Improving!

We just met with Dr. Anderson (the neonatologist who is with Cohen this week). Yesterday late afternoon, he ordered for the CPAP to be removed (that was the little hat and tubes going into his nose). He was maintaining good oxygen saturation and doctor wanted to see how he reacted. They put in a nasal canula, and set his oxygen at 40%. He has done well for the most part, and only had one episode last night where he was struggling again to breathe. Up to this point he has just been on IV fluids. Dr. Anderson has ordered a feeding tube for him, which the nurse was about to put in as we were leaving. His respiration is staying above 70, which means he would have to work too hard to eat on his own, so that is why the feeding tube. We are hoping that he is digestive system does well with the feeding so we can hopefully move to regular feedings in the next few days.

Brad lifting up Cohen last night so nurse could change his bedding

Cohen's blood cultures have still not shown any growth of abnormal bacteria, which leads Dr. Anderson to believe it is definitely some sort of infection in his lungs; more than likely pneumonia. His EKG did reveal a muscular "some word I don't know" in between his ventricles, which is like a tiny hole in his heart. Doctor and nurses said it is very common in babies and should fix itself within a few months. We will be following up with a cardiologist in the coming months. The NICU staff feels like Cohen is moving in the right direction and will continue treating his symptoms based on the assumption it is an infection. He will definitely be on IV antibiotics through Friday.

My doctor said the earliest I will go home is tomorrow (Wednesday) depending on how I continue to do (fever, blood pressure, etc.). I have an amazing doctor who is a firm believer, and trusts his "boss" (aka the good Lord above) to send me home at the right time. Needless to say, we will probably be leaving the hospital without Cohen while he continues to heal in the NICU. The thought of this is very hard, just knowing what that means. I will never forget pulling out of the hospital without Nora, and the emptiness that we felt. I also remember thinking that she was in a safe place where people could take care of her, so that she could come home as soon as possible.

As I think about leaving again without our baby, it makes me think of some friends of ours who recently adopted a child from another country. This couple found out they would be parents to a beautiful little girl from a county in Africa. Due to the nature of this country's adoption laws, it is a two trip county. They flew to Africa and met their little girl for the first time (she at the time was less than a year old). Of course they soaked up every moment with their little girl memorizing her every feature and the little behaviors that belong to her. I followed them on their blog throughout their journey. The hardest one to read, was the one she had to write, where they had to leave their little girl and come back to the US. As I read it, I thought back to Nora and hard it was to leave; but then I thought about how much harder it was for them to leave their daughter in ANOTHER COUNTRY, not knowing when the flight to bring her home would be. They then had to wait several months (again due to legalities) to return to Africa to pick up their daughter to bring her home. I think about this couple because it reminds me to be thankful that our God has perfect timing. I am thankful that Cohen will be in a location that we can visit him often, and in a place where he is being looked after 24/7.

When Nora visited last night she was of course into everything. She desperately wants to push every button on my bed along with pull every cord (including the IV cords). Nora opened every drawer in the room, and picked up every tiny particle of trash on the floor and put it in the trash (this is one of her new favorite things to do); and we wonder why she keeps getting sick. There are seriously not even antibacterial hand wipes in the world to keep her hands clean. I cannot pick her up, and due to the pain of the incision I can't have her in the bed with me either for fear that she might kick me unintentionally. Her and Nonna are having a blast at home and she is staying in her normal routine which is exactly what we want for her.

I cannot thank you all enough for your prayers and sweet comments! It is so uplifting to know that Cohen has so many people who are praying for him; and I believe with all of my heart that those prayers are being answered. Thank you!  Will update tomorrow!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."    -Philippians 4:6