Crit is low, lowering TPN, raising feeds

Today Kade had his Monday morning bloodwork that he gets weekly and his crit was low. He was pale and his skin was splotchy. I think they called his skin moulded... Not sure. Anyways, I found an explanation of crit so it's easier for you to understand:

Crit: Slang for hematocrit, this is a test used to determine the percentage of red blood cells compared to total blood volume. It is commonly used to test for anemia. It is significant in that is helps show a baby's ability to supply oxygen to his or her organs and tissues.

So, his level was 22.8. The doctor said he may need blood or a transfusion, but they are just going to watch him closely. Other than being pale and splotchy he didn't have any symptoms so we are hoping his body takes over and fixes the problem on its own.

Good news for today, he is going down to 8ml/hr on his TPN! GO Kade!!! He used to be on a whole lot more!! He seems to be tolerating his feeds pretty good so they are also going up to 17ml/hr. so as you can see, as we increase formula intake, we lower TPN. This is the goal... To be off TPN. The doc even talked about letting him bottle feed another time a day. They also upped his bottle feed to 17ml. He should be happy with that.

So when we left, he looked VERY comfortable.

His nurse this morning was AWFUL! She did not know ONE thing about him, how to take care of him, etc. she was asking josh and I the whole time what "do they do when ____ happens. I was so aggravated!! Thank God she got off at one and the nurse we like came on to take care of him! Whew! Crisis avoided!

Tomorrow is Ken's 4th birthday! We'll be trying to do fun stuff tomorrow. She wants to go to Bouncing Tiger and jump, so we'll see.

Enjoy this rainy weather!

G