Will's Exciting Day

Will has great news - he's no longer using the nasal cannula! This means that Will is now breathing without some form of assistance for the first time since the first week of December. This is very exciting news and it's great to see his face without the cannula.

Will also made great strides with feeds, taking all his food last night and today by bottle. This step alone is a great indicator that Will may soon be heading home.

Speaking of his release, many of you are noticing Will's progress and have asked the question - "Will he come home soon?" This is of course a fair question, and one that Nichole and I addressed with Dr. Whitman last night. Dr. Whitman informed us that Will's ability to take 100% of his feeds by bottle or breast was essential to his release. The use of the nasal cannula was less of an issue and that some premature infants requiring oxygen are allowed to eventually go home. Simply put, Dr. Whitman felt that Will needed to kick the cannula, sustain his bottle feeds over a 5-6 day period and prove that the diuretic was no longer necessary. She felt confident that Will could leave the hospital in 3-4 weeks, and as early as 2 weeks (although this was less likely).

One complicating factor in Will's release was the recent discovery of a hernia. Will must undergo surgery early next week to repair the hernia, which involves sedation and a ventilator. The procedure should take about an hour.

Although Nichole and I remain very concerned (the words "surgery" and "your baby" are not exactly easily digested), we've been comforted by the doctors and nurses who've told us that hernia surgeries are fairly common for premature infants and that most babies do very well with the procedure. Please keep Will in your prayers and thoughts next week.

In closing, I wish to reiterate how excited we are about Will's progress. He continues to amaze his mom and me.