He continues to get breastmilk and formula through the NG tube in his nose, and is up to 32 ml (just over an ounce) every 3 hours. He should be ready to try one feed per day by mouth by the end of the month -- babies don't have the suck-swallow-breathe reflex until 32-34 weeks.
Breathing is also going well. The Vapotherm airflow was reduced from 4 liters per minute to 3 about a week ago, and is now at 2. Until recently, he had been receiving extra oxygen (25-35%), but now he's breathing room air (21%). He has the occasional episode where his oxygen saturation drops and his color fades, but his heart rate always remains strong and he rebounds quickly.
We've settled into a nice routine. Marina comes to play with Patrick the days he's not in school, so Robin has a standing 12:30 lunch date with James. They usually spend a couple of hours together. We sometimes go back as a family around dinner time, or one of us after Patrick goes to bed for the 9:30 feed. Michael often stops by for a late-night visit after his shift.
It has been 38 days since our world was turned upside down, or at least Trendelenberg, and one month since we first met James. We've had some ups and downs, but our little boy is growing and the Dailey family is doing well. Our friends and family have been wonderful, and the meals from our friends new and old are a huge help. It takes a village to raise a child, and maybe even a village to help us get this one home! Thank you to everyone!
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