Care Conference

We had a care conference with Dr. Nordine yesterday. He gave us a much more complete view of what is going on with Ethan. From what we know so far, Ethan seems to really need the pressure support of the vent. He has been off several times, and each time he needs to go back to get more pressure to keep his lungs inflated. The confounding thing about Ethan is that his co2 is crappy, while his oxygen is just fine. Typically these two go together, if one is bad so is the other. So, their best guess is that Ethan has bronchial malasia. Basically they think his airways are 'floppy', more like an overcooked noodle rather than an al dente noodle. (Dr. Nordine's cooking reference, not mine!)

Nordine, who always likes to tell us the scary medical stuff that may lie ahead, let us know that there is a strong possibility Ethan might have a tracheostomy . They might do it while he sedated for the bronchoscopy. Very scary stuff, but it will allow Ethan to be able to move around more and do baby things. It will also get the tube out of his mouth so he can learn to nurse and take a bottle. Also, they will likely place a G tube in his belly so we can give supplemental tube feedings while he is learning to eat.

Rosenblum was at UI this morning for a conference. He met with the head of the NICU there and the pediatric pulmonologist. It sounds like they all agreed that he needs a bronchoscopy, a little camera to look inside Ethan's lungs. Then they will hopefully be able to figure out what is going on with him.

Apparently they are anxious to get started, because they set up a trasfer for Monday morning. Area Ambulance will pick him up late morning/early afternoon and will begin the adventure at UI.

We are very sad to leave St. Luke's. We've been there every day for the past three months. The twins are 3 months old today... This is defninitely not how I pictured the first three months of being a mommy. Anyway, we've grown very attached to the nurses and everyone there. They have grown attached to us as well.