Massimo and I will be staying in tonight too, although the doctors are hoping to discharge us tomorrow. Massimo came off his oxygen last night at 10pm and has been doing really well ever since. His saturation levels and his heart rate were really good … until this morning!
He was on continuous feeds whilst on PICU and on Monday night we started him back on normal feeds but gently so every 2 hours to start with, then yesterday we went on to 3 hourly feeds. This morning at 7 we tried 4 hourly feeds, which basically means larger amounts of milk less often and he got very restless by the end of the meal and his heart rate was high post-feed. So we have decided to remain on 3 hourly feeds for the time being. Also he still has a cough and definitely a cold (his nasal secretions have taken on a rather unpleasant quantity and quality). I was concerned about possible ear ache this morning as he seemed to be fiddling with his right ear a lot and even fell asleep holding on to it. The doctor had a look and saw no infection although again like the cough and cold it is viral and therefore nothing could/can be done about it. I am also getting them to have a look at his throat as J’s throat has got worse in the last couple of days and it would seem logical to think the two are linked. Massimo is getting Calpol to help with these symptoms.
He is however, much more his normal self, awake and alert and looking around a lot. I’m not sure what wisdom keeps us in there as the room we are in is so hot and stuffy that it breeds germs plus I have to keep the window open (as far as it will go – which isn’t very far at all!) and this causes a draught every time someone opens the door which is completely the wrong thing for a sick baby!
I am beginning to feel a little frayed at the edges as the heat of the room is really getting to me and sleep is fairly elusive. I think I managed 3 hours on Monday night and 5 hours last night, but in short, sharp bursts! I have come home for a decent shower and a snooze.