Hi- Christian looks like he has NEC which is a scary bowel infection that preemies can get. It can kill the bowel at its worst stages, require surgery at it's middle stage (about 1/3 of preemies) and just be antibiotics for the rest of the preemies (2/3 of all preemies). The first 72 hours are critical with this infection and we have made it through 24+ hours this morning. He is now on three antibiotics and gets x-rays every four hours to check for changes. They also check his blood levels (for any sign of tearing or bleeding in the bowel) and his acid levels. He has had a few rounds of blood and he is on nutrition since he will withheld from food for 10 days. Please keep him in your prayers, especially these next few critical days. We don't want surgery, any bowel death or removal and for peace for all of us.
Love Jenn
I am so sorry to hear about Christian! If it helps to hear, one of our neighbor's twins got NEC, and they didn't catch it until after she'd been released from the NICU. In her case, they had to remove 14 inches of dead bowel, and she spent 3.5 months in PICU.
ReplyDeleteI'm sharing that story because she's now a super healthy 2.5 year old. She's a little smaller than her twin, but otherwise you wouldn't know anything had happened. Even some of the most severe cases of NEC can have happy endings.
Sounds like Christian is getting great care. He and the rest of your family are in our prayers! We've asked the folks that follow our blog to prayer for you guys as well.
Lena
Jenn and Brandon,
ReplyDeletePraying for your boys, especially Christian. Glad they caught the NEC early. We will be diligently reading your blog to keep up with his status.
Grace and peace,
Jodie and Nick
Jenn and Brandon-
ReplyDeleteYou and your beautiful boys are in our thoughts. Thinking of you often- knowing this has not been easy as new parents. You and Brandon are models of strength. All our love- Liz and Jay