The day of surgery and the day after were pretty standard. Nothing much happened. Isaac was stable and improving rapidly. We were so pleased with how everything went and how he was doing. The next big thing was to start feedings. He hadn't eaten at all, ever. How can anyone survive for a week without eating? Well he was getting his IV food. But since his stomach wasn't hurting anymore and he could poop, he was chopping at the bit to eat. The sugar water and pacifier was not cuttin it anymore. He was ready!!!
They were getting concerned about his IV's because they were only lasting for a day. He kept blowing them. They were running out of places to put them. They had already done several in his head, his hands, legs, it was getting to be a big issue. Our doctor was not on call this weekend so another surgeon was monitoring his care. We really liked Dr. Escobar as well. He told us that if Isaac blew this last IV they would start his feedings immediately. If the IV lasted until tomorrow, which was Sunday the 16th, he would start his feedings then. We were so anxious and nervous because this was another big step. Him tolerating feedings and pooping were 2 really big things. So far he was pooping very well so that was a plus. Now we just had to get the feedings worked in there and hoped that he kept pooping. Who would have ever thought we would become poop experts. Boy I tell you! :) If you ever need advice about your babies poop, ask me. You learn a lot in the NICU!
They had removed the catheter in his bottom before surgery and he didn't need it after. So he had one less tube. That was a plus. He kept pulling out the suction tube down his throat so he got that removed as well. TWO less tubes! So as of right now he just had an IV, heart rate monitor, respiratory monitor and oxygen level monitor. We were eliminating things rapidly!
We were back at the tree house that evening when we got a call.. Isaac's last IV blew so he was going to start feedings immediately. It was only a day after his surgery!!! WOW! We were so proud of our little man for doing so well. They told us to come over so we could feed him his first meal. Our spirits had definitely changed. We were happy again, sleeping better, eating better, and just had a different vibe about us. Even though we would have some struggles ahead, nothing felt better in the moment to know that our son was progressing so well. Now we were off to feed our son! He could FINALLY EAT!!! 8 days old and having his first meal.
Isaac continued to tolerate feeds very well. He was doing all the things he needed to be doing in order to get home. We were told that if he continued to do well, we would be leaving by Tuesday which was the 18th. That was only 3 days away. THREE days and we would be going home. They said he was probably going to be transferred to intermediate care nursery and then discharged from there. They also wanted us to do a "rooming in" night.. That was just like the nights we got when he was first born. We were so excited to be progressing. And we couldn't wait to do our rooming in night! Finally an end to this nightmare.
Tomorrow they would continue to monitor his feeds and then go from there...
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