12/2 (Monday) - Happy Birthday To Uncle Dave

Happy 50th Birthday to Uncle Dave! (who Leo David Trost is named after...) 

 

Shortly after Kate posted last night's blog entry, Leo's night continued to get worse. He did not have any fluid come out of his chest tube for almost 6 days but while Leo was agitated and squirming around throughout the night, 22ml of fluid came out. In addition, another 16ml of fluid came out throughout the day. Leo did have an x-ray again but the x-ray looked good. Different doctors had different opinions that ranged from "left over fluid" to chylothorax is back. After a test of the fluid, it was confirmed that Leo still has chylothorax meaning that he still has lymph nodes leaking fluid into his chest.

 

The chest tube remains until the doctors reach consensus on what to do next. The plan is to evaluate the chest tube fluid throughout the night to see if fluid buildup continues. If Leo continues to have significant  fluid accumulate again, he may have to undergo a second surgery to repair the leaky lymph nodes. We are hoping this is not the case but at the same time, we just want whatever it takes to help our little guy get better.

 

Today also brought a new neonatologist team. Every month, the teams rotate in the NICU to bring different perspectives and to teach a different group of med students. Our new neonatologist brought some potential good news with her. She did a gag test on Leo and told us that he did have a gag reflex. Previous doctors have told us that he didn't. This means that there is a chance he may be able to bottle feed and not have a more permanent feeding tube placed into his abdomen. Even though it is a very small chance and we won't know for a while, it is better than her confirming what the other doctors have told us.  

 

I also returned to work today for the first time since Leo was born. As crazy as it sounds, it was almost therapeutic. I think a lot of that had was because of the people that I work with. They are some of the most caring people that you will ever meet. 

 

Even though he is a little out of it, Kate was able to take a pic without all the tape on Leo's face. Kate also got to hold him for a little while today. I'm starting to get a little jealous, Kate has held him 4 times now and I have only held him once.