6/26 - update

They could not get the PICC line in Brett this morning.  He is currently in the operating room getting a broviac.  This is medically necessary so they can give him everything he needs through an IV.  He will go under general anesthesia, but the procedure should not take long.  Hopefully he will come back and not be intubated.

6/23 - update

So Brett had his second lumbar puncture today.  Yesterday they could not get any fluid after two tries.  Today it worked and the results were negative for meningitis.  He has had a problem with his broviac clogging and they removed it this evening.  They will wait 24 hours for any bacteria to get killed by the antibiotics and then put in a PICC line.  All of this will be done bedside, however, it will be completed by the surgical team.

His abdominal x-ray still does not look as good as it should.  There is not an issue with NEC anymore, but they are still a little concerned about the air in the wall of his intestines.  They are still taking x-rays every 24 hours and looking for improvement.  Once the x-rays are normal, they wait 10 days and then begin his feeds through the G-Tube.

We need to get him on feeding by mouth again because enzymes are so important for kids with CF.  Enzymes work best if taken orally.  The enzymes help him break down his food (even breast milk) so the nutrients will go in his body.  

He seems to be doing better, but the roller coaster ride of the newborn critical care center is very hilly.  Some days it is up and others it is down.  Please continue to pray for his health.

Happy father's day!

So it seems Brett is "out of the woods" regarding the NEC and blood infection.  The antibiotics have been working.  It seems that we will not be totally comfortable until Brett gets to come home.  It looks like it will take at least a month before he gets back to full feeds.  There is also a possibility (25%) that when his intestines heal, it will create some scar tissue which would require surgery.