Nicholas's Hospital Stay-Week One

Day 1: Admission to Doernbecker's Children's Hospital: August 11, 2010. Nicholas was admitted for respiratory distress, pneumonia, and failure to thrive (because of his low weight). He had an NJ tube inserted to start getting him the nutrients he needed.

Day 2: August 12-He was transferred from the intermediate care floor to the PICU so that he could use a ventilator while sleeping. When transferred to this floor, a nice nurse told us he could wear his own PJ's to feel more comfortable.

Day 3: August 13-Still in PICU but starting to feel better. The nice staff at the hospital brought him some toys and books to use.
Day 4: August 14-Still in PICU but steadily gaining weight and the physical therapists gave him a Tumble Form seat to sit in to watch TV. Also, we discovered the amazing selection of children's DVD's to watch!

Day 5: August 15-Nicholas started wanting to play more and had gained 2.5 lbs. from his feeds. We had lots of visitors this day: Gramme (who comes every single day without fail) & Grandpa, Auntie Eva, Stacy, and Uncle Eric & Tina.

Day 6: August 16-Nicholas spent half the day in the PICU but was transferred up to the intermediate floor again in the early evening. Mommy was especially happy to be back in a much bigger room with a shower!

Day 7: August 17-Nicholas and Gramme spent lots of time playing today and Nicholas started to say "hi" and "bye" to the doctors and nurses who stopped by his room. He is starting to become used to the constant in and out of hospital staff. Also, his NJ tube (which went from his nose to intestine) was switched to a NG tube (nose to stomach).

Day 8: August 18-The day Nicholas was supposed to be released after he finished his antibiotics, but because he hasn't received his home ventilator yet, we will have to stay until early next week. Daddy took the day off work to spend with us and Nicholas enjoyed walking around the hallways looking at the fish photos and saying "hi" to everyone he passed. Mommy also learned how to place Nicholas's NG tube when it comes out by accident. Not too fun, but not too difficult either.

Day 9: August 19-Nicholas is back in hospital PJ's because mommy had to take home his laundry to wash it all after so many days in the hospital! A kitty named Joey came to visit our floor and Nicholas LOVED him! Joey sat right next to Nicholas on his bed and let him pet him as much as he wanted. He was in kitty-cat heaven! Later, while mommy left the hospital to do laundry and run errands, Gramme took Nicholas to the playroom where he got to read books, play with puzzles, and drive a loader.

We are hoping to be released by Monday (8/23) which will give us time for Nicholas's home ventilator to arrive and I will be trained to use it. The only reason we would stay longer is if the surgeons can fit Nicholas in for his g-tube placement surgery. We are hoping to get that done while we are here so that we don't have to come back in a couple weeks. Goodness knows, we've all had enough of the hospital for awhile!

Thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement! It means a lot to our family!