Update January 20

Another update:

Rhys has unfortunately caught another infection. I knew I shouldn't have advertised how great he was doing. Seems every time we celebrate good news, something else happens to set him back. Next time he does well I'm keeping it to myself! He'll be discharged home and you will all still think he's in the hospital because I'll be afraid to jinx it all by sharing!

The infection is another UTI and was caught early, which means he isn't nearly as sick as he was last time. It started off that he was having some feeding intolerance, throwing up, etc. There was some concern that his tummy troubles were acting up again, but the discovery of the UTI may explain why he was throwing up his feeds. When a baby gets sick, feeding intolerance is often the first clue, and especially for Rhys, because his tummy is a weak spot for him anyways.  We are hoping that once the UTI clears up, he will be back to tolerating his feeds again (this is what happened last time he had the UTI, and once it cleared he was able to eat again).

The big concern is how long we will need IV antibiotics for. We are hoping not long and that maybe he can take the medications orally. On Sunday he got his central line out, so we are back to peripheral IV access for him which isn't easy for Rhys. His veins are small, weak and have been poked so many times already. Needing another central line would likely mean surgery and we do not want to go that route! So keep your fingers crossed that he can cruise through this without needing another line.

Garrett is doing well. His only issue is that he can't stay awake long enough to eat a full feed by bottle or breast. So, he needs to be topped up by a tube into his tummy. Obviously he can't go home with a feeding tube, so he needs to get some more energy and finish his feeds on his own. He is improving though and is gaining weight like crazy. Last time I checked he was 6 lbs 6 oz and that was a few days ago, so he is likely more. He has come a long way from his tiny 3 lb 13 oz birth weight!

So, that's the latest on my boys.

Thanks so much for thinking of them and wishing them well. They are so lucky to have so many people that love them.