Fierce Pierce

Life at home is SO much better than life at the hospital. SO, so much better. Really, did I mention it's better?

Since we brought Pierce home, we've pretty much had the same daily routine. Per doctors orders, we only leave the home for doctors appointments. This week, we've only had one. Last week, two. Which means we've already logged A LOT of hours inside our teeny, tiny townhouse. Oh, it's going to be a long winter (sigh). But I don't want to complain. This is the time we've waited and prayed for. Every time I start to feel frustrated, I take one look at P and am reminded of the miracle that he is. I also am deeply aware that he won't stay this little for long. And so I'm hanging on to every moment, trying to soak up all that I can while in this season.

Not much has changed since I last posted, but here's the quick recap: We met with P's neurosurgeon last week. He said that the ventricles, though still very much enlarged, have not changed in size (classified as stable) and that we could either choose to place a shunt, or wait. We chose to wait. He said that there was still a chance P could avoid a permanent shunt (yay!). He also said that we are (and will likely be for awhile) in a "wait and see" mode. What this means is that over the next few months, the neurosurgeon will be monitoring P's ventricles by monthly ultrasounds. Our prayer is that they would begin to decrease in size (if they do not decrease, we will be forced to place a shunt) and not grow any bigger. Please join us in praying this. With every head ultrasound (and we've had oh so many), I feel God working out the impatience in my heart. How I wish I had a magic 8 ball that would let me peer in and see whether or not P was going to need this surgery. But the truth is, I don't. In fact, I don't know anything about any aspect of Pierce's (or my own) future. And so I'm learning. Learning to trust in God, every step of the way, and to be content in waiting on His timing.

We have also seen Pierce's ophthalmologist twice since I last updated. His eyes are healing from the laser surgery and Dr.Gillig was very impressed with how well they're looking. The hemorrhaging has almost completely resolved and there is no more ROP. What a HUGE answer to prayer!

Pierce is doing so well at home. He's eating like a champ (taking about 3-4.5 ounces every 4 hours) and sometimes (actually only twice, but it's a start!) goes up to 6 hours at night without eating! He really is such a fun, content baby.

We did have to start Pierce on Zantac for reflux. Reflux is VERY common in preemies. We had a few days where P was screaming during and after his feeds and we knew this needed to change. So we called our pediatrician and she immediately called him in a prescription. Fortunately, we are on day 3 with the medicine and it seems to be working well. Please, please pray that Pierce's reflux does not develop into anything more serious and that the Zantac continues to work. Pray that he would continue to enjoy taking his bottles and that he would not develop an oral aversion.

Yep, this picture pretty much sums up what P was like before the zantac.

And this is him after.

Nik's mom stopped by for some cuddle time shortly after Pierce came home

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

Much love,
Lindsay