Mattie just texted me with the news that the surgeon came by and said Rhett should be discharged in 48 hours. Looks like he will be in his own bed on Sunday!! Way to go, little Rhett Turner Gabbert!! This picture was taken today in the Progressive Nursery at Cook's Children's Hospital. He is a precious little doll!!!

February 17, 2011

A lot has transpired since the last post. On Saturday, 2/12, Rhett's doctor moved him back to the NICU from Rooming-In because he wasn't able to take enough nourishment from the bottle. They re-inserted his feeding tube and life was back to the same routine.

Then on Monday, 2/14, Mattie and Jerad made the decision to have him moved to Cook's Children's Hospital for a surgical procedure to install a "G-Button". It was a big day for him. He was transported to Cook's by ambulance; moved into an unfamiliar NICU; pre-surgery poked, prodded and tested; hooked up to an IV; and given no feedings from midnight on. Tuesday morning at 10, he went into surgery and had a "Mickey G-button" installed laproscopically. When he came out from under the anesthesia, he was very upset and was given a sedative. The remainder of Tuesday, Rhett slept and no one was allowed to hold him. Wednesday late afternoon, the surgeon came in to check out everything; gave Rhett the thumbs up, authorized starting feeding Pedialyte and moved him out of the NICU to the Progressive Nursery. We have no updated pictures, because Cook's NICU is lots more restrictive than Baylor's and won't allow cameras.

This surgery was done to allow Rhett to come home sooner. Without it, he would have to stay in the hospital until he was better able to take a bottle. It is all related to lack of muscle tone that Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) babies deal with; he tries so hard, it wears him out and he falls asleep. The "G-button" will resolve that as what he doesn't take by mouth, Mattie will be able to put in through the "button". Here is a link to a video describing the "G-button":

http://globalwebvideo.com/clients/kc/mickey.wvx

If you're like us, all of this is foreign and we're getting a crash course. The video clarifies the situation and lessens the scariness. Of course, Mattie and Jerad will be taught how to use everything prior to bringing Rhett home.

While we were hoping he would be dismissed on Friday, last night the surgeon said that probably won't occur until the first of next week. Another disappointment, but we want Rhett to come home and be safe and healthy. I can't begin to tell you how much we love this little guy. He is our littlest angel and a very special blessing!

Updates!! 1 month old today!

Rhett has been moved again! This time to a postpartum room with Mattie to room in. He has been off of oxygen over 4 days and is taking a bottle all the time without having to be tube fed. He is also getting some peaceful sleep without any other babies around. This is a huge step in the process of coming home. This move is the last step of that process.
He turned one month old today!
It has been a long month but we know God's plan is perfect and we are trusting in Him to bring Rhett home when it is most beneficial to him.
Hoping to hear an exact date next week if the progress continues. He still needs lots of prayers of course as do Mattie and Jerad. They are about to bring their first baby home. :)

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; His love endures forever.1 Chronicles 16:34

update 1/27/11

Rhett is doing great. HE was moved out of the highest level of NICU to the lowest. This is great. He has less wires and no i.v's and Mattie and Jerad are able to bathe him and hold him all the time!

They are cutting his continuous feed and testing his blood sugar to make sure all that is going well. He is taking a bottle and nursing sometimes too!

HE is still on oxygen but on the lowest level.

The goal is getting him on a regular feeding schedule, a bottle or breast every three hours.

His hair looks as though it is getting redder. (is that a word?)
He is taking after his daddy.
Still as sweet as ever.
HAve to share this pic with his cousin...

1-20-11

Woo hoo Rhett!
He got his central line completely removed after steadily maintaining his blood sugar! Yesterday he even latched on and nursed for a little bit. HE is growing every day.
Next thing to tackle:
- they are weaning him off of his continuous feed and will go on a regular feeding schedule of around every 3 hours or so.
- oxygen still being used and hoping to have some ideas concerning this too.
- coming home maybe in about 2-3 weeks

Look at sweet little Rhett. Hasnt he grown?!

Update:1-19-11

As of yesterday Sweet Baby Rhett's i.v. was shut off! This is huge as the blood sugar was the biggest concern. Doctors are thinking that Mattie must have had gestational diabetes which led to some of these issues.
Rhett's i.v. will stay in to make sure that his blood sugar will remain controlled by his little body for a while. WE can just be praying about that.
Pneumonia is clear from his lungs and no more concerns there however he is still on oxygen.
Doctors told Mattie and Jerad yesterday that they would probably have Rhett for another 2 to 3 weeks.
Just pray for the doctors, and of course their sweet little family!
Love to all

Psalm 5:11-12
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Updates

Big Praise for:
EKG came back completely normal! Thank you Lord
He will take a bottle sometimes!
Mattie is pumping and giving lots of nutrients to Rhett!
last night his blood sugar was up in the 70's (it has been in the 50's which is borderline)
Oxygen levels are improving a lot!


Concerns for Baby Rhett right now are:
Blood sugar to stay regulated
Pneumonia in his lungs
feeding consistently


Thanks for praying with us! If you want to help out with more than prayers read below.