Day 56 – Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Day 56 – Tuesday, September 12, 2017
AGE: 8 weeks old (32 weeks, 6 day gestation)
Lochlan: Weight is 1790 grams/3 lb. 15.1 oz. (Birth weight: 760 grams/1 lb 10.8 oz.)
Length is 15.98 inches (Birth length: 13 inches)
Lex: Weight is 1590 / 3 lb. 8 oz. (Birth weight: 760 grams/1 lb 10.8 oz.)
Length is 15.2 Inches (Birth length: 12.8 inches)
8 week update::
The boys are 8 weeks old today and we have Lochlan’s next neurosurgery scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Lochlan’s head circumference has increased pretty rapidly over the past few days. He had a planned cranial ultrasound yesterday that showed his ventricles were in fact enlarged. Without intervention, hydrocephalus will be an ongoing issue with him so it is time to do something about it. The pediatric neurosurgeon decided that he is large enough (almost 4 lbs) and healthy enough to undergo surgery for a permanent shunt. He will have a shunt for the rest of his life. It will be closely monitored especially for the first 2 years because half of them fail during that time frame. Even with a shunt, he will live a very normal life and can even play contact sports (can you guess who asked that question?) Although brain bleeding is always a concern with this surgery, the risk isn’t high because his blood vessels are more developed than when he had the first surgery at 4-weeks-old. We are optimistic the surgery will go smoothly and will give Lochlan permanent relief so we no longer have to worry about his discomfort or potential brain damage. We pray for a smooth surgery and that he is one of the kids that never has any issues with his shunt. Lochlan’s hematocrits are pretty low today and so we are expecting a blood transfusion to be ordered soon, it will be a good thing for him to go into surgery with strong blood counts. Aside from what is going on in his brain, he is so alert and peaceful which keep us calm.
Lex continues to lower Fi02 needs little by little. The doctors want to see Lex’s need for oxygen to reduce without the help of steroids. He continues to required less oxygen little by little so, for now, they are holding off on giving him another round of dex (steroid).
Although no one ever wants their child to have to have surgery, we are lucky that he is in a position where this is even an option. He is strong and big, a whopping 4 lbs (almost). It is much easier to welcome the news knowing surgery is really our only option. The shunt will help him for the rest of his life so we are ready.
