waiting game

"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever." Psalm 125:1

We were blessed to have another wonderful weekend with Coy. He continues to grow and thrive in level 2--he's now 4lb7oz! I'm still standing firm in the vision that God has given me--Coy will be home by next weekend. But, per his Neonatologist "He's actually doing 'to good' to come home within the next few days"---I'll explain because I was confused too when the doctor told me this today--He was weaned to 1/10L of oxygen last Thursday (the lowest it can go) and his blood oxygen level has been above 95% majority of the time. For his eye health, his saturations need to be kept between 85-95%, if it goes above 95% there is greater risk for eye damage--there is a correlation between high saturations with oxygen and ROP disease. And since Coy already had ROP disease that required surgery, we can't leave his oxygen like this. So, they have tried to take the oxygen off all together twice and he didn't do as well as they would like--so we're kinda stuck in a holding pattern. Per his doctor--if he required slightly more oxygen, we'd be home within the next few days--but because he's requiring just a minute amount, (which is unavailable with home oxygen tanks) we have to wait to wean him off the oxygen completely before discharge. Yes, very frustrating to think "if he was only requiring more oxygen, we'd be home..." Today, they changed his flow back to 1/4 L and put him on 21% oxygen (room air). He would be able to go home if he required 1/8-1/4L at 100%, but since 1/10L at 100% (again, which is the lowest it can go) is too high, we have to wait. Does that make sense? So, over the next few days, we will try to wean if completely off the oxygen....Grandma Kolkhorst has a vision that he will not be on oxygen when sent home---so let's pray for our combined visions--that Coy will be home this weekend w/o oxygen!

I stressed my concerns to his doctor today--yes, Coy is doing exceptional for a 23weeker (we are still 2 weeks 5 days from his due date) and are talking about discharge (one of his nurses said this is "unheard of" for a 23weeker) but I am not willing for him to "hang out" in a hospital for weeks to wean off oxygen--not with the Flu and other infections/ illnesses that run rampant there. I am not wanting Coy to come home before he's ready, but I also don't want him in the hospital a day longer than he needs to be. The doctor is currently looking into home oxygen tanks that can give a fractionized amount of O2--he's says it's not likely we will find one, but he will try.

Anyway--that was the kinda frustrating, doesn't make logical sense news we got today...but I am trusting in God and know that he will take care of everything...

But on the plus side...Coy continues to nipple all his bottles and his now taking as much milk as he wants! He has to take a minimum of 34cc, but takes up to 50cc with each feeding! He is just the cutest thing ever when he's eating...for preemies to take bottles it takes alot of energy, so after each bottle, he is practically asleep before the bottle is out of his mouth! He did have two bradys this weekend with feeding---please pray that he gets stronger and has more endurance each day with feeding!

My amazing and awesome Sister & Sister-in-laws threw us/me a Surprise Baby Shower this morning! My sister lives close to Chris and I and asked if she could come to church with us this morning--I said sure and when we got to her house at 920am, all of our families and two best friends were there waiting! I was in shock! It was early! But lots of fun! They are awesome and so caring for doing that...we got lots of goodies for Coy!

Please continue to pray for complete and total healing of Coy! He is making progress daily! Please pray for him to come off oxygen this week so we can be home by the weekend! Pray for his eyes to be completely healed! Pray for his MRI (to be done on Wednesday) to be normal!