22:45 - Max has a new oxygen supply mechanism. Instead of regulating the percentage of oxygen in his nasal cannula, he is now on a 100% oxygen feed, but with the volume very low. This way he gets room air mixed in as a result of the low O2 flow. This is the same setup that he will eventually come home with, so they're starting to transition that direction.
I had a discussion with Dr. G today. He covered the medium to long term options we have available for feeding. One that scared me was the G-tube. I expressed my concern for another surgery right now. It turns out that both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist are also apprehensive after Max' failed PDA ligation. Many parents opt for this, because they're intimidated with the prospect of learning to insert an NG-tube in their baby's nose. Still, I prefer that to another surgery right now.
Dr. G again reminded us that Max is beginning to go from the "acute" phase of his illness and into the "chronic" phase, thus moving out of the domain, and expertise, of neonatology. So now we're confronted with learning the ongoing care and treatment of his myriad conditions. The physical and emotional safety net of the NICU is nearing its end for us.
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