Joshua's Journey: Day 21

Today was the first day I didn't go up after shift change to see Joshua. It was hard telling him goodnight at 4:30 in the afternoon, but poor Maddy has no routine right now and we had been getting her to bed at 10:30-11:30 at night. Not good for a 20 month old or for us! She would be so tired that she would not fall asleep in her crib and ended up in bed with us for a bit. So tonight we got home, she got a bath and was in bed, her own, by 9:15. Still a bit later than normal but better than any other night thus far.
Joshua on the other hand sleeps all the time and I must say he has a very comfy bed. I would sleep all the time too, if I were him. He did get his PICC line out last night, so that's good! He is still having some issues at times keeping his blood oxygenated. The ideal number is 100. If it falls below 85 the monitor will beep. He does really good for a while and then all of the sudden it will drop down. If it stays down below 85 too long then they will raise his oxygen above 21%, which is what we breathe. The goal is for him to stay at 21% and 100 as soon as possible. He weighed 2 lbs 8 oz again tonight. They upped the amount of food he's getting again today and upped the calories that he gets, so we definitely know he's not going hungry:) They also changed the machine that he is using to breathe. It essentially does the same thing, but it hopefully will be easier on his poor little nose.

Sleeping comfy with his new machine

Specifics to pray for:

That he will get great oxygenation in the blood, that the number will stay in the high 90's-100 while he is at 21% oxygen.

Continue to have less episodes. He will remember first to breathe and second to breathe deep.

For the NICU staff to feel appreciated. They really don't know how thankful we are for them. That God will grant them wisdom in dealing with all the babies. That they will be blessed.

Finances. The bills are starting to come, but it's alright. Usually I am the one that is super stressed about the money, but God's been in control this whole journey and I will just let him stay in control with this one too!

Maddy. That she can have a bit of routine in this anything but routine next two months. For good sleep and good health. She's been having lots of ear infections and we were going to do tubes, but pray that she will just grow out of them.

Derek and I to continue to draw closer together and closer to The Lord.

Balance for me. It's a bit stressful trying to figure out work, pumping, and spending time with Joshua and Maddy. Pray that I can find the balance and feel good about it.

That God gets all the credit and glory!


Thanks and goodnight!