Results.....

Joshua did great on the kidney ultrasound, they didn't see any abnormalities. The chest x-ray did find that his right lung is not developing at a normal rate. Joshua's rapid breathing (tachypnea) usually occurs during feedings and doctors said that it might be because of his right lung or its just a part of him.

The doctors also stated that his esophagus and the stomach are functionally normally, and he doesn't have any reflux (but can change). Joshua should be able to bottle feed without any problems but will need a feeding specialist daily until he can consumes the daily amount. Joshua's weight has increased to 7 lb 11 oz, due to the increase of oxygen and calories.

Joshua's tests....

Joshua took two tests:

1. Kidney Ultrasound
2. Chest X-Ray

We will get the results tomorrow for the two tests. Joshua is still not drinking any more than last week but has retained his weight (7lb 4oz).

More exams....

(First real bath 12-16-09)

The doctors this morning stated that Joshua might also go home with a oxygen tube because he continues to breath very fast when he bottle feeds. They will take a x-ray and other exams tomorrow to verify that all his internal organs are working properly. We are not sure when he will be coming home due to his breathing condition. We just take it day by day, and pray that everything will go on the right direction.

(After his bath nice and clean 12-16-09)

GOOD NEWS along with some scary ........

At today's rounds doctors said Joshua looks GREAT and they need to start getting us ready to go home. Doctors said the only thing Joshua is not doing so well on is his feedings with a bottle. Joshua can not stay in the hospital forever due to his feedings so the best thing for him is to go home and work on it.

If Joshua does not improve on his feedings with a bottle by this weekend doctors said they will have to send him home with a G Tube. A G Tube is placed into Joshua's stomach for an alternate way for feeding as we continue to work on his bottle feeding at home. We knew from the beginning this was a part of his CDH and it could be worse, he could have needed to go home with an oxygen tube. But at the same time it is a very scary thing to deal with but we will cross our fingers eventually he will get a hang of it.

Still doing good!

No new changes for Joshua since Friday. We are still in the level 3 NICU location since at this time they are still watching his breathing and there is no room in level 2 NICU right at this moment for him.

Joshua did good over the weekend as he continues to work on his feeds with a bottle. Everything going great!

No More IVS !!

Joshua no longer has any IV's, his last one was removed this morning (Friday 12-11-09). He no longer needs antibiotics, or any other fluids. The only foreign object Joshua has is his feeding tube and his nasal cannula .
Joshua continues to work hard on his feeds using his bottle, but again we were told it's going to be a roller coaster. Last night Joshua consumed almost 20-25 cc, today he only took in less than 10cc. He is also throwing up more because of the stress of sucking on a bottle. He will eventually catch on, but it will take some time. We are still in NICU level 3, but Joshua is consider level 2 status.

NICU Level 2......

Joshua continues to do well, yesterday (Wednesday 12/9/09) at the morning meeting doctors decided it was a good time to go ahead and let Joshua try to drink out of a bottle for the 1st time. On his first day he only consumed 10cc of milk, but needs to reach up to 150cc (5oz) to meet his goal. After meeting his goal with his feeds, he also needs to be off the cannula breathing treatment so that way he can come home.

At today's morning meeting the doctors decided they could go ahead and change Joshua's status level 3 in the NICU to level 2 in the NICU. This is another very big step Joshua is taking. Joshua is on the right path and slowly but surely we will be on our way home.