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!
