March 16, 2009

Despite Sunday kind of being the breaking point with Demetri not performing as well as usual and Eleni waking up asking "Where am I going today?", today was a little better. The day started off rocky when we found out that the lab work showed possible infection (a left shift on the CBC). We still don't know exactly what will come of these results. But his doctor today felt that because he has a low risk for infection and did not look "sick" upon exam, that the test result reflected stress. In Demetri's case, stress is caused by trying to take a bottle every 3 hours, trying to maintain his body temperature, loud noises such as floor cleaners and monitors, etc.

The new plan is to attempt bottle feeding only every other feeding and do NG feedings in order to reduce his stress level. The two feedings today went well, taking 1 full bottle and most of the 2nd bottle. He is up to a maximum volume of 21 ml per feeding now.

His nurse did weekly measurements last night and his head circumference increased by 0.5 cm to 26 cm and his length increased to 38.75 cm (this would mean that he grew about 4 cm in one week...there might have been a mistake in measuring). He gained only 9 grams and is up to 1066 grams or 2 lbs 5.6 oz.

We pray that there is not an infection and that by simply giving him some rest that he will start gaining more weight and be more successful in his feeding attempts.

Here Demetri is holding on to his Snoedel as he rests in his isolette.