Quarantined and Puffy

Roscoe's progress today has been a breath of fresh air. His oxygen requirements have dropped from 100% oxygen to 55% oxygen and he still seems relatively stable and calm. His heart rate remains in the range of 100-140. They have been able to completely wean him from the paralytic drug, so he is able to move but still groggy due to the two sedatives/painkillers. The dopamine was intended to keep his blood pressure higher while he was paralyzed, so now they are weaning his dopamine as well. He has also resumed small feedings with milk, which will be increased gradually to normal levels as he tolerates it.

Roscoe's section of his room is still quarantined from the other babies. Since he has a cold, they quarantined him to prevent a possible RSV outbreak. Although his lungs have become less congested today (which would explain at least some of his improvement) he has developed a fever in the past 24 hours with temperature measurements up to 101. If his temperature continues to rise, they will test his blood for RSV (which looks doubtful with how well he is doing).

When we enter his section of the room, we need to wear gloves and a protective robe which look like this:

His face has grown rather puffy, due to the accumulation of fluid from surgery and immobilization. His weight a few hours ago showed him at 12lbs, which would be nearly 2lbs more than he weighed late last week. His belly has increased almost 20% in circumference since last week. He is retaining a lot of fluid in his face and belly, but the doctors aren't concerned and said it should flush out as he gets more active.