July 8, 2011

Peter continues to amaze us with his progress. His weight is up to 5 lbs, 13 oz and he is 18 1/4" tall. Dr Mohsini will only be our doctor for one more day as the "big switch" (I'll explain later) occurs tomorrow. I had a rather lengthy conversation with her today and she is also encouraged by Peter's progress. He is still doing well on 2 liters of flow. Because of this, she will recommend that his flow be reduced to 1 liter either tomorrow or Monday. If he does ok on 1 liter, they will transition him to the home oxygen system to make sure he can tolerate it before going home. He will most likely come home with some oxygen support, but who cares, at least he'll be home . . . Peter has met all of his other requirements for discharge. Once the doctors are satisfied that Peter can thrive on home oxygen, we will have two more hurdles to jump over
1.) the car seat test (which should be no problem since he'll have the oxygen he needs)
2.) the dreaded circumcision (well, that's more dreaded for the little man)
So, stay tuned for more progress toward home in the next few days (I hope)
So, the big switch . . . there are 4 neonatologists, there are rooms on both sides of the NICU floor. The doctors work on a two week rotation . . .
Week 1: Dr Mohsini has one side of the hall, Dr Martin has the other (Drs Chai & Thurin are out)
Week 2: Dr Mohsini and Dr Martin switch sides (this is the little switch) Chai & Thurin still out
Week 3: Dr Chai has one side of the hall, Dr Thurin has the other (this is the big switch) Drs Mohsini and Martin are out
Week 4: Dr Chai and Dr Thurin switch sides (Mohsini & Martin still out)
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
This system works so beautifully because all the doctors have a clear picture of all the babies and they can collaborate on the course of care for each individual baby.
I have to close for now because Brad & I are going to watch a movie . . . something we haven't done in, oh I don't know . . . about 47 days (give or take) . . .
PS - Peter wants you to know that he isn't nearly as tan as the pictures make him look . . . the night setting on our camera makes the pictures brighter without the flash, but they do distort color to some degree.