Wednesday Evening, 1/23/08

As is typical of late, I'm slow to post updates if things are on a smooth ebb. The staff has slowly increased Nathan's formula intake from the original 1mL/hour to the current rate of 8mL/hour. He has been receiving Octreotide to slow the digestive tract to ease the effects of diarrhea. Regardless, he has had to ordeal plenty of diaper rash. It's not dissimilar to the problems he had with the ostomy leaks, although it's certainly more manageable.

Anyways, on to the good news. It appears that he is absorbing the formula very well and they will be accelerating his rate of feeding. He has been incredibly active, making it difficult for me and Christa to keep up with him at times. At first it was just a matter of keeping up with his running pace. Now he's learned how to pedal his tricycle! He's been having a blast riding around the hospital wings on his Christmas gift. I guess it's a good problem to have, even though it freaks us out having to make sure his tubes don't get tangled up in the wheels.

And just when you thought it couldn't get better...

Nathan ate a potato chip and two cheetos today! I guess this means he'll be ready for Super Bowl festivities with his old man. Seriously, they let him eat a few items to see how he would handle the solid foods. They also gave him some ADEK vitamins (A, D, E and K) that previously passed through his system very quickly. The most recent news is that he seems to be absorbing it, which is really good to hear. There's also rumors going around that they might discontinue the multivitamin drip before he comes home (which should be very soon).

So, that's all I have for tonight. Hopefully I'll have more good news for tomorrow. Is that light I see at the end of the tunnel?