we made it...

We did it! We survived another trip to Phoenix.

We have mostly good things to report. Eyes are about the same maybe slightly better and the doctor is convinced that next visit David's eyes will be developed to zone 3. He still has some ROP, so we will see him a few more times at the least.

The swallow study was also better than the last. David is able to take "thick" feedings now, which is the next step thinner down the line from nectar thick. We are hoping he can eat more now that it won't be as thick, it won't be as hard to suck.

We continue with the oxygen and the monitor for another month. I was expecting this because the monitor has gone off so much in the last month... Interestingly enough, the monitor has not sounded since Saturday, which was the day we took out the tube. Praise the Lord! I really hate it when it goes off. Imagine a fire alarm type sound... not pleasant, especially when you are sleeping. :) It is a nice safeguard though, for now.

We also saw the neurosurgeon who is pleased the shunt appears to be working. Although, there is a little fluid collection that he wants to see gone. David is such a grunter as you have probably read and it causes the skin to stretch around the shunt. So, we are wearing a headband type deal to try and get the skin to go down. So far, David says "yeah right I'm not wearing a headband". A little annoying I must say, but we will work at it and hopefully he will get used to it for some weeks. The doctor also adjusted the shunt to drain more.

All in all, it was a good visit and it wasn't quite as hard as I thought it was going to be, thanks to your prayers and the help of my parents. So here are the current prayer needs - for continued weight gain, no monitor alarms, healing of his brain, and that he would love to wear his headband. Oh and of course sleep!