23/7/07

It's all been a bit up and down for Elis today. He didn't have a good night and was bagged once, although he settled a bit this morning - until I arrived and his blood desaturated and heart slowed down! I think some secretions in his throat can be blamed for that as his breathing was ok when I had him out of the incubator for a little cuddle.

For the first time he was lifting his head right up and trying to turn it from one side to the other (repeatedly!). Since he has about three inches of nasal assembly attached to his nose to help him breathe, this proved troublesome as he kept pulling his prongs out of his nose and we'd have to chase him to reconnect the oxygen each time he turned his head. Eventually he won and I just held him in my arms on his back - he couldn't avoid the prongs that way!

He's had more blood tests today which indicate that he is still clear of systemic infection, but he needs another blood transfusion, which might help keep his saturation levels higher. Transfusion number six is underway even as I type. I've just phoned the hospital and so far it has gone fine.

However, as his breathing doesn't seem to have improved over the last week, the consultant currently leading his care has concluded that we should begin another series of steroids to reduce the inflamation in his lungs and give them another chance to start repairing. The first dose was given to him this evening, so fingers crossed that he will receive the full benefits and avoid the side effects this time around.