hank

I have been horrible at updating about little Hank lately.  It just seems like the same old routine anymore, and we are just waiting to come home.  I guess, there are a few things to update though.

• Cardiology has put Hank’s pacemaker in a mode where it senses pressure in his body, and changes his heart rate based on that.  So his heart rate is not fixed anymore.  It has been different for us, but seems to be better for him.   Since then, the cardiology team has signed off, and we are to see them next for a follow-up appointment once we get out of the hospital.  Good I think. 
• Baby Hank has been a champion eater, and in general, takes all of his food by mouth.  They did pull his NG tube and he takes his meds and food through his mouth, the way it should be.  He has had a rough time getting his minimum volume in (because he sleeps all night), so there is talk putting a tube in as he needs it.  That would be okay and is something we could do for him at home if needed. 
• We just found out that Henry has some oral thrush, which I am pretty sure is from his inhaled steroid (used for his lungs).  Pretty treatable with nystatin by mouth, which is good because the thrush has slowed his oral intake a bit. 
• As far as respiratory goes, Henry has done really well.  No more high flow oxygen, just a regular cannula now.  He sits around 1 liter of oxygen at about 30 to 40% and does pretty good.  We are still working on weaning him down.
• Last eye exam turned out pretty good for Hank.  He is almost all the way in zone 3, with regressing ROP.  So, as soon as we get to zone 3 of development, his oxygen should not effect his eye development at all.   

(look at his scars.  pretty cool, right?)

(does not like having his blood pressure taken)

Hank has quite the personality.  When he doesn’t like something, or wants something, he lets you know.  There is no waiting in Hank’s world.  What a funny little guy he is.  We are so excited to get him home.