Day 43: Don't Cry Paxton

Susanne headed over to the hospital early today because she could not wait to see her precious angel. According to his nurse, Paxton did well overnight and appeared to be comfortable throughout the evening. The doctor updated Susanne on Paxton's status and he discussed the results from the tests that had been run the previous day. The good news was that the complete blood count, which evaluates Paxton's white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, were all within normal limits. His C-reactive protein level was a little elevated, which indicated signs of infection or inflammation. The doctor was not too concerned, however, with this increase because it was only slightly higher than the reference range. The repeat x-ray of his abdomen looked much better, but the doctors still wanted to err on the side of caution to be safe by getting a second opinion. Paxton has a consult with a gastroenterologist this afternoon. After an assessment has been made, the doctor will decide on a plan for the little guy. At this point the doctors are unsure if they are going to restart his TPN (total parenteral nutrition), which supplies his total daily nutritional requirements intravenously, or restart the NG feeds using Nutramigen. Susanne is hoping they will start with the latter of the two with the hopes that they will eventually try him on the new and improved breast milk. Go dairy free diet, go.

Aside from the tests that were done for the gastrointestinal issues, Paxton had his repeat hearing test today. The results are still pending at the moment.

Also, Paxton's culture of the discharge from his right eye came back and it was normal. The lab did grow a certain type of bacteria, but it was considered normal flora for humans. He will not need to be placed on any type of eye medication for this.

Susanne decided that today would be a great day for Paxton to get another bath especially because his hair was all sticky from the material they use for the hearing test. He did very well while his mommy scrubbed him up. During the bath, Susanne noticed how awesome his incision from his heart surgery was looking. The surgeons did a great job.

After Paxton's bath, Susanne cuddled with him until he fell asleep. He didn't stay asleep very long and he seemed more irritable for some reason. Susanne thinks that it was probably because he was hungry. He even tried to nurse on Susanne. He was definitely rooting around. It must be difficult to go from continuous feedings to getting nothing but fluids intravenously. Poor guy.

At the end of the day, Susanne swaddled Paxton up, gave him his pacifier, and kissed his cheek. Usually, he falls right to sleep, but this time he started to cry everytime she tried to leave. Susanne fell for it each time and could not resist picking him back up to comfort him. After staying an hour and a half longer than she originally planned, he finally got comfortable in his crib and fell asleep. It is getting harder and harder for Susanne to leave her baby every night especially when he is upset.