I have class tonight, so my chances of updating the blog when I get home is slim to none!

Yesterday was an extremely difficult day for me. It was so overwhelming. I kept reminding myself of the "Cobblestone Road" to make it through the day. I think the nurses sensed that I was ready to break down and cry any second. It was hard to keep up with Jacob's schedule...I think he was overstimulated as well. He didn't have a good day either. I was happy to come home to Jeremiah who consoled me and...cooked one of my favorite dinners!

First thing in the morning yesterday, he had a head ultrasound. Before that could even happen, Dr. Hipolito told me that he was going to have a blood transfusion because his hematocrit level went up from 24 to 27. The normal range is 36-48...I think. Anyway, that would start at 11 and end at 3. During the transfusion, I learned that he was going to have his eye exam for retinophathy. *sigh* Oh, I forgot to mention that he also got his epogen (sp?) shot earlier that morning. All the while during his feedings, he would desat VERY BADLY which required MANY MANY blow-bys. He even had A's and B's. One nurse even mentioned putting the nasal cannula back to assist him with breathing...my jaw nearly dropped and I almost passed out! All of a sudden, I began picturing the gavage, the isolette, etc. This couldn't be happening...not now. AND...he didn't gain any weight. After all of this, as stressful as it was, we felt so blessed to know that his head ultrasound came back normal, his blood transfusion went very well, and his eye exam results showed that he had a mild case of retinopathy...Stage 1-Zone III. "ROP that is stage 1 Zone 3 will almost always disappear on its own." (Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies)

Today his day was more relaxed, though we stumbled across similar challenges yesterday. He nippled without desatting and was awake for the duration of his feeding. However, during burping time, he'd hold his breath and turn pale. Hopefully, once his RBC oxygenates, he'll do better. As of right now, I'm unsure about the next step. Would he need caffeine? Pepcid and/or reglan? Put him back on the cannula? Give him the gavage? We'll have to trust the doctors' and nurses' decisions to help Jacob get better.

I forgot to mention that last night when we returned to visit Jacob in the hospital, Jeremiah gave him a priesthood blessing. After that, we tucked him into bed and before we left his bedside, his oxygen saturation went to 100. It was the first 100 all day! The Lord heard our prayers and knew we needed comfort at that moment. He also blessed Jacob with the comfort of the Spirit.

I'll try to upload pictures when I get back from school...if not, you'll have to wait until tomorrow! =)