Learning to Breathe

We went to the pulmonologist yesterday. It was a good and informative appointment. We plan on keeping Cohen on oxygen for a little while. We all think he labors a bit to breathe and seems to tucker out after multiple days without the oxygen - not to a point of being in massive trouble but to a point where he can't keep his sat. levels up in the 90's. This is exactly what we saw in the NICU as well and aren't that surprised to back in this place. It was our main concern in leaving without oxygen - that we would hold steady for a few days - maybe even a week or two and then need it again. While, we don't love him having to be on the oxygen we feel good about the plan and feel that it is best for him. The pulmonologist explained that his lungs are still developing and that he is growing at such a rapid rate at this age and that while this is the case it would be best for them not to overwork. It was good to be affirmed that the little things we noticed as possibly being signs of him laboring to breathe are truly signs - that was good just because it helps us feel good that we do a decent job of knowing our son and what he might need.

She is going to continue to follow him and we will monitor his oxygen. We will keep on the oxygen every time he sleeps and have some flexibility in taking him off for playing, feeding, bath, etc. When we start to notice that his levels never drop when he's off and the doctor things he's ready we can try weaning him but I think the plan is that he might need oxygen on and off for a good little while. In several more months we will probably have a sleep study done as well. We are going to have a chest x-ray next week to continue to follow his lungs and we will also go see a pediatric cardiologist to follow his heart( in May). This is just due to him working harder to breathe, we want to make sure there isn't undue stress on his heart. She also thinks she might hear a slight murmur. Murmurs run in my family so that didn't surprise me too much. They are also getting him approved to have an extra RSV antibody shot this year.

I am so thankful to have proactive doctors and feel so comforted knowing that we are following all the areas we need to with Cohen. I can say it was a little overwhelming to go a new doctor and leave with 4 more doctors appointments!!! There is def. a new normal in the McGowan household. We're adjusting.

On other notes - Cohen is sleeping well at night. We are able to let him go at night now and he will give us 4-5 hour stretches so that is nice. I think the Zantac is helping a little though it is a little hard to tell - we'll give it a little more time. His diaper rash is finally clearing up so now just have to figure out if the dairy was a culprit in that - I would love to put a piece of cheese in my mouth!!! He is exclusively nursing for the most part now so that is also a huge help in time during the day and much easier in the middle of the night!!!