Tuesday, October 21, 2003

October 21, 2003

After a rough weekend, Jacob is doing better. This morning he had a minor surgery to insert an IV line directly into an artery in his neck. The procedure was a last resort to his Doctor because his veins just aren't holding IV's anymore. It is required that he have one central line in which to receive medications and fluids. Jacob's platelet level is still low, but later this evening a blood culture taken on 10/18 showed a fungal growth, which is probably linked to the platelets. Further cultures will be done and meds will be continued until the infection is resolved. In the meantime, Jacob will be kept off feedings for the rest of the week just incase the fungus is originating in his tummy. His ventilator settings have slowly come down in the past two days. Tonight he was sitting at 25% oxygen (Room air is 21%) and was breathing some on his own. While Brett and I were visiting tonight, Jacob had a bradycardia spell and de-saturated. In English, it means his heart rate and blood oxygen levels dropped. This happened because he had fluid in his breathing tube and had to be suctioned. He didn't like that very much and that's when things happened. After suctioning again, his heart rate returned to normal. It was scary! Jacob's weight for Monday and today is 2lbs 9oz!

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