Memphis did great with the 5cc of pedialyte yesterday.  Today the nurses are trying again to feed him breast milk. He is receiving 15cc of breast milk every 3 hours.  I hope that he digest this well and there is very little reflux. So far today, he has had two feedings and done will.

They have now completely weaned the versed drip and taken away the fentanyl PRN. Memphis is still on a fentanyl drip, ativan, and phenobarbital.  He also still has a versed PRN if needed.  Wow our little man is on so much drugs to help to keep him calm and happy.  We have not started methadone yet, but if Memphis starts showing signs of withdrawal as they continue to wean the drugs they will start him on methadone. 

As you all know, Memphis was on dialysis for over fourteen days.  He has now been off dialysis for some time and doing great with producing urine.  He still needs to make "higher quality urine".  What does that mean?  The blood urea nitrogen or BUN test is primarily used, along with the creatinine test, to evaluate kidney function in a wide range of circumstances, to help diagnose kidney dysfunction or failure. The blood urea nitrogen test is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in the blood in the form of urea, and a measurement of renal function. Urea is a by-product from metabolism of proteins by the liver and is removed from the blood by the kidneys. Memphis' BUN number is in the 60s and needs to be in the 20s.  His creatinine number has come down from 1 to .6 but still needs to be lower.  We keep saying that his Kidney numbers are high.  I hope this helps to explain what that means.  So still he needs his kidneys to work better.  BUT, the good news is this is not stopping the Dr. from removing the internal jugular catheters that are in the jugular vein on the side of Memphis' neck.  Tomorrow, Memphis will be getting the catheters out and finally for the first time in 8 weeks he will not have anything in his jugular.  This of course will be a surgery. So we will hope for no infection and a smooth operation.

Still do not have to get a chest tube as of yet. His x-rays keep looking better.  We have not actually seen a x-ray in a while, but the Dr. keeps saying every day that they are looking a little better.  Which we take to mean a little less fluid in the left lung every day.  He keeps making a little progress every day!