Chugging Along

Today was a good, steady day for the P-nut... So much so that there is talk of bumping up his surgery to Friday!! We are thrilled (and somewhat frightened) by this news. Tomorrow's progress will determine if he gets the go ahead-- if he stays where he is or improves, it's a go. Prayers for the doctors to know if he's ready or not!! I trust them, so if they are comfortable with Friday, I will try to be too.

In other news, there is an abnormality on Parker's chest xray. There is a mystery spot on the bottom of his right lung. There are three possible culprits:
1) congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (a benign cyst. Pretty rare)
2) pulmonary sequestration (lung tissue that develops but doesn't attach to the actual lung, therefore being useless. Can be common with CDHs.)
3) just part of his hernia (Dr Williams feels this is the most likely)

None of the three are life-threatening at this time, and all three can be addressed during his repair surgery. None of the doctors seem to be upset about it. Mike and I of course are not fond of "mystery mass on lung."  Still, whatever it is won't delay his repair surgery, and it sounds like all three possibilities can be removed with little to no fanfare.  Dr. Parker said he will just deal with it when he gets in there, and doesn't think a CT scan is necessary in the meantime.  It's always something-- this little one has quite a bag of tricks that he likes to throw in at various intervals!

I had Storytime Shift tonight.  Still no eyeballs for Mommy.  I DID get some response-- when I put my "mommy square" (a knitted pot-holder type situation that I wear in my bra during the day and then leave in his bed when I am not there... they say the scent is comforting to him) down next to him, he started sucking like crazy on his breathing tube.  He's got the right idea for what to do when mom's around... I'll take what I can get at this stage!

He was not paralyzed today.  When I got there, he was all sorts of wiggling around, but minus the angry silent cry sad face from when he was in so much pain last week.  He was just squirming tonight.  Squirming is good, it helps get fluid off and helps him start to develop muscle tone after the atrophy of 10 days of paralytic.  Shortly thereafter, he snuggled himself into his little nest, pulled his little arms in, and fell sound asleep.  There is a huge difference between the sleep of a heavily sedated somewhat paralyzed baby and a still sedated but able to move baby.  His sleep tonight just LOOKED different-- he looked peaceful and downright comfortable.

I read him "The Little Red Lighthouse," kissed him goodnight, and came on home.  Big day tomorrow-- surgery decisions.  Please join us in praying for guidance for the doctors to make the best choice for Parker.  He's had a heck of a week, and we don't want to upset the apple cart.  We also don't want to hold him back when he's ready to push forward. 

If his 12 days of life have been any indication, Parker will let us know in no uncertain terms.  Strong-willed little stinker.  Wonder where he gets that from??