Every morning before going to the hospital we call the NICU to see how our Cooper fared through the night, and this morning was no exception. A receptionist answers, we give a secret password, and then we wait for several minutes listening to oddly peppy hold music while our nurse is tracked down to give us a report. Except this morning we knew something was up because when the hold came to its end it was our resident doctor, not our nurse, at the other end of the line.
After doing fairly well throughout the night, Cooper decided that he wanted to get a little more attention once morning hit.
He began having constant Brady spells that caused his heart rate and oxygenation levels to go way down. They checked his blood and discovered that his potassium levels were dangerously high, his sodium levels were dangerously low, and that he just didn't have enough blood in his body. They determined that the cause of all of these problems he has been having recently is likely that his kidneys have failed to produce a stress hormone that helps his body get through the tough times.
So our team got to work to fix the problems.
In order to balance out his potassium and sodium levels they temporarily took him off of his feeds, because they were fortified with potassium, and started administering sucrose water and sodium instead. They also gave him a heavy dose of hydrocortisone steroid, which is the thing that his kidneys had been failing to produce on their own. In order to help his oxygen levels remain stable he was intubated again, which is doctor speak for getting his breathing tube put back in and using a ventilator. Finally, he was given a blood transfusion.
Needless to say, we rush to the hospital to be with Cooper and see everything that has been going on with him, and are shocked to see that his head is wrapped in bandages. It appeared that in the relatively short interval of time between when we called and arrived at the hospital that he had undergone brain surgery. Fortunately, that was not the case. While the doctors were caring for him during the morning Cooper had a brief spasm that looked like it could have been a seizure. The head bandages were actually holding monitors in place that are reading his brain waves so that the neurology team can evaluate if he is indeed experiencing seizures and needs to receive some sort of treatment.
All of this sounds pretty bad, but it was actually a really good day compared to our last couple. He's been having a hard go at it lately, and it seems as though they have finally discovered and addressed the root causes of the problems he's been having. Cooper did not have a single Brady episode since they completed their cares this morning, and did absolutely awesome all day long.
-Taylor
Chloe's update:
I'll just add a few things... we received wonderful news about Cooper's brain today! Another ultrasound was performed this morning to help clear up the potential seizure mystery. (So far it does not appear that Cooper has had any seizures, but he will continue to be monitored, just to be sure.) Two of Cooper's neurologists reviewed the first ultrasound of Cooper's brain taken about three weeks ago, and then showed us the ultrasound from today. It appears that the swelling (clot) in Cooper's right ventricle has slightly decreased in size. It is hard to pinpoint the exact size, but it's definitely is not getting bigger. Additionally, the area with blood outside the ventricle appears to be fairly small and concentrated, which, if you have to have bleeding in the brain, is about the best news you could hope for. The doctors reminded us that they will still continue to monitor Cooper with weekly ultrasounds, and it's impossible to predict how Cooper will be affected by the swelling/bleeding long term. However, we are so grateful and know that Heavenly Father is answering the many prayers offered in Cooper's behalf!
Days like today (and our entire journey in the NICU) really put life in perspective. Much of what was important to Taylor and me a month ago (all things temporal and material) are simply no longer important. I'm grateful for this shift in perspective, and for the rest of our lives we will cling tightly to it.
Finally, I want to share this quote from Elder Holland. "The tests of life are tailored for our own best interests, and all will face the burdens best suited to their own mortal experience. In the end we will realize that God is merciful as well as just and that all the rules are fair. We can be reassured that our challenges will be the ones we needed, and conquering them will bring blessings we could received in no other way."
Cooper is bringing us incredible blessings that we could not have received otherwise. Thank you for your prayers and for following Cooper's journey!
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