Thomas in the NICU

Thomas Ervin

Like the other babies, Thomas was considered critical when he arrived at the NICU. However, his respiratory distress was more severe than the others. He was on a ventilator until June 26. Then he was placed on a CPAP until the 30th. After that he was on a nasal cannula and weaned to room air on July 1st. This was especially nice because it meant he could move into the big crib with his siblings instead of having to be all by himself. It also meant we finally got to really hold him! Throughout this time he also received aerosol treatments and medication. On July 17 his oxygen levels dropped. A chest x-ray revealed a partially collapsed lung. Thomas went back on the nasal cannula until July 23 and resumed aerosol treatments until Aug 1.

Thomas received antibiotics for possible infection, although I could find no documentation that he actually had any infections. He received dopamine for 7 days for hypotension. He was anemic and received a blood transfusion June 24. He had 2 cranial ultrasounds while in the NICU and would later have a third after discharge which was pronounced normal. He was circumsized on July 26.

July 20 he was diagnosed with gastric reflux. They started him on Reglan and switched his formula to Enfamil AR. Thomas started drinking from a bottle on July 6, but progress was slow. He only got one bottle a day. By July 22nd he was taking 3 bottles a day. It wasn't until July 30th that he finally was taking all of his feedings from a bottle.

Thomas was discharged from the hospital on August 4th. He was just over 6 weeks old. Yea! Welcome home, Thomas!