Today was a fun day hanging out with Greyson. We got there early after picking my mom (Bob’s) from the airport. It wasn’t long before Greyson was wide eyed and alert. He was pretty cranky until noon, when they took off the cpap and put on the canula. He likes the canula SO much better! Of course we would all love to honor his request (not so much a verbal request but it doesn’t take long to get the message) to leave him on the canula full time but that just can’t be done yet. The reason for that was pretty apparent today. I believe Greyson’s c02 was 76 last night, not good. So finding out exactly what is happening with his c02 can be a bit difficult when he is on the canula for 8 hours, then off for 8 etc. So he had the bad c02 at midnight while he was on the canula and had been for 4 hours. So to attempt to see what is going on they tested his gas today at noon after he had been on the cpap for 8 hours. His c02 was down to 59. They then put him on the nasal canula for 8 hours and tested him again. As of 8pm his c02 was 71. So what does all this mean?? How should I know I’m not a neonatologist! OK it seems to show that the nasal canula does place a considerable strain on Greyson’s breathing. I don’t know yet how these findings will play out in the orders, but to me (again I’m not DR!) it is showing that he is doing OK on the cpap, and can handle the nasal canula some, but not full time yet. He does seem to be making progress so it seems he just needs some more time to grow lung tissue until he can handle the canula full time.
One funny story from today: Greyson had been very alert for a couple hours when we decided to go get some lunch. My mom and I were talking to him and playing with his hands. All of a sudden Greyson took his right arm and with clenched fist shook it in the air three times as if he was cheering. Hard to get the full effect by typing about the experience, but it was really funny, especially because I had just been talking to him about the need to keep his thumb on the outside of his fist so when he punched he wouldn’t break his thumb.
So probably no midnight gas tonight since he had one at 8pm. I don’t know when his next one will be or what will be happening so tune in tomorrow night when we all learn what the little fellow is up to.