Eric continues to improve, although he is now back on caffeine to help with his Bradys and Apneas. Eric is still having trouble with breast feeding, so we have started trying the SNS system. SNS is supplemental nursing system, using a small tube that goes on the nipple and allows previously pumped milk to drip out. This helps Eric to learn to latch on. On his first try with the SNS he managed to get about 9 ccs. Joanna will continue to use it when she tries to breast feed, so that Eric can get the hang of breastfeeding.

Eric picked up some bad habits when he was on the respirator for so long. He learned to suck on his tube, so that is how he tries to breast feed, with only his lips. He is still learning to work with his jaw on that, and the SNS should help with that. Plus, Eric can eventually go home if he can master the SNS, even if he still has not mastered breast feeding.

With all the Apneas and Bradys, it seems unlikely that Eric will be able to come home on his original due date at the end of August. While we hope all this clears up by then, we have to remember that Eric is on his time table and not ours. Eric still continues to make progress and that is what is truly important.

Eric is also on Thyroid medication since last Monday. Other than his thyroid, Eric's other major concern is his eyes. His eyes have ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) is where there is scar tissue or abnormal vein growth in the retina. His has been getting a bit worse, and if it continues to degrade, he will need eye surgery. The odds are still good that his eyesight will be fine with the surgery, as long as the ROP does not get any worse. We are hopefull that he will not even need the surgery, but we are preparing ourselves in case he does. If he gets the surgery, that will be before he is released from the hospital. It would require anesthesia and probably put him back on the respirator for a day or so because of the anesthesia.

We continue to appreciate the prayers and well wishes, not only for Eric, but all the other babies in the NICU with him.