We talked to the doctor in charge of Connor's case today and learned a few things. X-rays confirmed that he has an inguinal hernia on the left side of his scrotum but it is readily reducible, meaning that the loop of bowel can move freely in and out of the hole. This is sort of a good thing because it isn't getting stuck in the scrotum and causing damage to the bowel or testes. They are keeping a close eye on it for now to make sure it doesn't swell or get stuck and cut off circulation.
The x-rays could not confirm necrotizing enterocolitis but one spot on the lower right quadrant was suspicious so they are still taking an x-ray every six hours to make sure a perforation doesn't develop. Our biggest obstacle will be preventing his bowel from perforating which would require emergency surgery to correct. The doctor said this is obviously the last thing they would want to have to do on a little guy this small. We are praying and hoping for the antibiotics to do their magic so that we can get through the next 9 days without perforating. No weight gain is to be expected until he is back on breast milk feedings. We are hoping that he maintains his current weight until then.
More changes today:
- Connor's IV in his left hand has been removed and replaced with one on the left side of his head. It looks scary but our nurse today explained that it probably bothers him much less than an IV line attached to his arm or leg that he feels every time he moves a limb.
- He is now off of the dopamine to regulate his blood pressure
- He is still on a morphine CRI drip and boluses as needed
- He tolerated the blood transfusion really well yesterday
- Connor seems to be MUCH more comfortable today compared to Friday when we saw him last (no grumpy or crying faces today but lots of yawns and stretches instead) :) He still does not want to be touched though. :(
Relaxing on his morphine drip.
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