News from Braden's Doctors

Well, we finally got the news back from Braden's doctors. The scans of his head were sent to the Neurosurgeon and after his review, he concurred with the doctors from Baylor. Braden, at this point, barring a sudden miracle, will need surgery to insert a shunt in his head. Just to clear it up, a shunt is a device that diverts fluid from the brain into the abdominal cavity where it is safely absorbed into the blood stream. Though a shunt may be inserted in infants, children and adults, the procedure is essentially the same regardless of the size of the patient. We have not had the opportunity to speak with the Neurosurgeon yet to have our questions answered, but our doctors tell us it will most likely take place in the next 7-10 days. They want Braden to fatten up a little more before the procedure - if performed too soon, it could require a second operation. Obviously, we don't want that, so we are hoping Braden's condition doesn't worsen between now and then, and he puts on more weight. We are really sick about all this, but there is no use getting down now, Braden is the one who we should be focusing on. He has been so strong through all of this, we know he'll be fine.

We had also noticed in the last few days Braden had struggled breathing in random periods of the day. He would be fine one moment, then require his oxygen level to be adjusted, then soon go back to normal. The nurses realized this was mostly happening during/after feedings. We now believe he has reflux, just like in adults. This can be treated with medication - again, just like in adults. Also, when his stomach got full from feeding, it put pressure on his esophagus and lungs. This was contributing to his lungs getting so tired as well. So for now, Braden has been taken off nasal cannula and placed back on CPAP. This is not the ventilator, it is still tubing in his nose, it just does a little more work for Braden. This allows him to rest and heal up a little bit. We need him at full strength for any potential, future procedures. We are ok with this, because his breathing was instantly better with less struggling. We don't really view it as a setback, just a short recovery period.

Well, not to be so grim, we do have some better news. Braden is in a small room with only two other babies. It is much less busy and a lot quieter. Braden is doing well in his open air crib, he is maintaining his own body temperature fine. He is also 1 ounce shy of 4 pounds! He loves to open his big eyes and just check out the scenery of the NICU. He likes to grab a hold of your finger and not let go. He is also not as sensitive when it comes to touch. We rub his head and he is overjoyed. Will close on that note and we've attached some photos below - as always, thanks again to everyone and their concern.
Steve & Annie

Braden looks exactly like Steve, but he definitely has Annie's beautiful brown eyes.


Braden laid across Annie's lap and you can see just how long he is getting!


This is the new crib! He looks so cute in it!


Braden and his daddy hung out by the new crib.


Who wants to go outside and play?
"Pick me, Pick me!"


Steve laughed and laughed at this silly face Braden gave him.