May 14 Update

Carrick has made it almost 36 hrs on the CPAP! His oxygen setting is below 30%, also! We breathe 21% oxygen so that's the lowest his setting will go; in other words, he is close to breathing like we breathe. The nurse said he wouldn't need blood for awhile, too! He's still on dopamine, but he's on the second lowest dose. His PIE looks the same so no change there, but his lungs are working! The nurses keep telling us he's feisty and a fighter. Translation: He's on CPAP and still moving around, which means breathing isn't draining all his energy like it did last time. He keeps moving his arms up near his head, and it looks like he's trying to pull all the CPAP tubes and straps off. Take a look at the picture and you'll see why. His mouth is taped shut while he's on the CPAP to keep the pressure. When he gets off dopamine we can hold him. Maybe this week will be the week. We might get to take him out of his isolette that he's never left since birth and hold him in our arms. We haven't been touching him yesterday or today so he can concentrate on breathing. I just want to hold my son. All the fathers know what it's like to be separated from your child; I only feel like half a father. We'll keep you posted. More to come.