A Medical Day

So today was a busy day for the boys, especially Parker. I luckily showed up AFTER both boys had eye exams. BELIEVE me, you DO NOT want to be present for this procedure. John and I were lucky (or unlucky I should say) enough to experience hearing an exam one day when we were bedside in the Lion Room with Parker. The screams from this baby was enough, but to make matters worse, I watched a documentary on micro preemies and SAW an eye exam. One of those "couldn't look away" experiences that will stay with me forever. I keep trying to avoid micro preemie TMI, but I guess I'm either too curious or just paranoid enough to want to know EVERYTHING! Anyway, I was grateful to find out this lovely irritant happened hours prior to my arrival. On eye exam day, the boys usually show signs of the "drama" by being pretty wiped out and sporting red, puffy eyes. Today they both looked REALLY good in the eye arena, but seemed to be pretty tuckered.
That was the end of Tyler's big procedure, but was only the beginning for Parker who also had his breathing tube replaced. Yes, I left the room for this one. Even though they sedated the little guy, I just couldn't be there if he cried. How I miss hearing his little voice and the thought of him having it for a second and then losing it again makes me sad. The one week Parker was on the CPAP device was so memorable for me because I heard his little squeeky voice for the first time. After he was re-intubated I remember watching him cry but hearing nothing. "Oh yes, his voice is gone again because of the tube. I forgot." A sad day indeed. Of course the nurses joke that some day in the near future when Parker is crying up a storm I'll wish for the tube back. But I'll take that over this scenario any day! The procedure was done in less than an hour and when I returned my little love bug was in deep sleep. The doctor said he did VERY well, a good patient (I'm not sure how he could have been a BAD patient, but I'll take the positive reinforcement). They took an x-ray to confirm that the new tube was placed correctly and also recognized that his feeding tube was down too far. Good catch! So...what does ALL of this mean? Well, they will culture the extubated tube secretions to determine whether Parker has pneumonia or an infection. The doctor also hopes that this new tube will help his airway. We'll see! Parker did have an advancement today - he went up on his feeds from 30 to 32! His residual has been good so this increase should help him (and hopefully his lungs) grow.
Tomorrow the boys are getting their two month immunizations so we are told to prepare for possible high temperatures and crankiness. I have a feeling "mommy holding" time may be affected...grrrr....how dare they! Besides changing their diapers, taking their temperatures and snapping pics, that's ALL I got here! Ha ha...don't they know?
Below are a few pics from today - Tyler sporting his medical ID bracelet and poor Parky being pooped (say that fast 10 times)...poor Parky being pooped...poor Parky being pooped...