Brady Is a Bad Word Around Here

Brady has never been a favorite word around these parts (this is, of course, in reference to most Colts fans' hatred of Tom Brady, QB for the New England Patriots).  We now have yet another reason to despise Brady.  But now I am referring to episodes of bradycardia.  Brady episodes refer to when the heart rate (in this case, Dominic's) drops below a certain point.  It is very common in preemies and it is something they outgrow.  However, it is still upsetting to hear the alarm go off when you are holding your baby.  D had two episodes this afternoon.  One was very quick and he brought his heart rate back up on his own within 5 seconds.  The second one last a little longer, but still relatively quick.  Both the doctor and nurse tried to reassure me everything was fine and his episodes are minor, but they are still scary.  Nick and I were told that one of the requirements for a preemie to go home is to have 5 days without a brady episode  The nurse told us they can be frustrating because a baby can go 4 days without one and mom and dad think he will go home the next day, then bam, a brady episode happens and they have to hope for 5 more days.  Although D is doing well, we know we are more than 5 days away from taking him home, so these episodes haven't "reset the clock", but they are still disheartening.

On a more positive note, D's bilirubin levels were down today, so he got off the bili light.  Because of this, Dominic got dressed for the first time today!  It's amazing that a little fleece sleeper, a swaddle sack and hat can make him look like such a big boy!  We were hoping that he could be moved into a regular bed today as well, but he was having a little trouble keeping his temperature up on his own.  But, they have taken the lid off of his isloet and we can take him in and out whenever we want!  D also gained an ounce yesterday, so he is back to 4lbs 1 oz.  We didn't have as succesful of a day at nursing as we did yesterday, but he still gives it a try.

It seems that the last week has caught up with all of us.  I fell asleep on the plastic couch in D's room today and D was hardly awake at all.  The nurse said because D is now working to keep his temp up and he has been working so hard at nursing, it has likely just caught up with him and all that extra work could be an explanation for his brady episodes.  Although everything didn't go as planned today, we still had a few big steps.  So, we will celebrate those and continue watching him grow at his own pace.