But, we had a surprise last week. Though he tested negative for the preliminary MRSA test, a culture showed a positive result. Due to that one positive result, he is still on isolation. They will repeat the test tomorrow and if he is negative, they will take him off!
When we arrived at the hospital today, the nurse was adamant in bringing the doctor over immediately to talk to me about Sam getting a steroid. He is not showing any progress on the ventilator, and they want to wean him, so the doctor is administering a round of steroids (similar to the 23 week steroids given if you're at high risk for preterm delivery). The goal is to strengthen his lungs.
The doctor had to talk to us because there is a risk of cognitive side effects due to the steroids. However, keeping Samuel on the ventilator for much longer ALSO has a series of ill effects. We decided to move forward with the steroids. The plan is to wean him off the ventilator while he receives the course of steroids.
Samuel weighs 800 grams, which is about 1 lb 12 oz. He's so close to 2 lbs!!
He's doing very well tolerating his breast milk. They also give him a boost of calories with a supplement called Prolacta, a special extract exclusively from breast milk. He poops nicely, too - this is probably the only time I've ever heard a poop described as "beautiful"!
My mom came to see him for the first time yesterday - and it was an amazing sight to see! She sweet talked him just like Bigmama did. He responded well to her voice, too. I would talk to her on speakerphone during my pregnancy, and I'm sure he recognized her. In keeping with my family's resistance to the word "grandma", she has decided to be called Ma Nini. It works for her!
Ma Nini brought a car full of goodies. A good family friend of ours donated a Chicco infant car seat and huge box of clothes (thank you!!). Ma Nini bought a 4-in-1 car seat, some booties, and an industrial box of wipes. Carrying the car seat to his pending nursery filled me with a surge of excitement. I often daydream of the day we get to bring him home in it.
Of course, you gotta see some photos from the past week:
"I gotta work on my plan for world domination."
"First things first... food and poopies."
"I know my arm looks nice but could you PLEASE stop with the pictures?"
*dreaming of more ways to cause trouble*
"And one and two and...lift those legs higher!"
"Lift and twist. Work that core! Gotta get summer ready!"
*Ma Nini x Sam, 2017 First Visit Edition*
Lots of baby loot
As Sam continues to fight, so shall I.
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