Day 11 -- August 9

I'm feeling much better today and was able to get back to my normal hospital visitation routine.  McFly had a great morning.  They cut back on his sedative last night and again this morning.  His ventilator was cut down more in the morning to almost nothing.  The nurses, respiratory therapists, and doctors debated all day about whether or not to take it off.  Finally right before I left tonight they took it off!!!  And so far his breathing is great, and even his respiratory rate is much better off of the vent.

The hardest part of the day is they started his withdrawal from fentanyl.  Since he was exposed to methadone in utero, he was going to suffer withdrawal even without Gastroschisis.  Normally, the nurses would watch him and give him morphine as needed to handle it.  However, since he started out on heavy medications including fentanyl, they are going to slowly take it away to handle his withdrawal.   Today he started having a harder time sleeping.  He would jump at any noises, and would frequently get shaky and irritable.  His afternoon was a little better even though they stepped down on fentanyl a second time.  I think getting off the vent will reduce some frustration because he won't have to be suctioned anymore.  I can't wait to swaddle him and put in him a dark quiet room!!

Favorite thing of the day was his new pacifier!!

He was having a lot of trouble sleeping.  We tried to block out noise and light as much as we could, but you can still see his agitation.

He was content with pressure on his head and legs.  I had to sit like this for quite a while so he could get a good nap.

Awake, calm, and happy. And a few cute sneezes at the end.

Yay! Ventilator is off.  We get to see that cute little mouth!