The fluoroscopy test went as well as could be expected. A team of about 6 people transported Crew down the elevator and through the halls of St. Lukes to the x-ray department. The surgeon met us there and explained everything to Gretchen while the test was being performed. Crew's little stomach filled up with barium and no leaks were identified. Then, the wait began for his stomach to empty through the pylorus and into the intestines. We waited, and waited and began to make plans for what was next, then all of a sudden the barium moved through. The whole room let out a big sigh. It was such a relief to see that things were working. He tolerated the procedure well.
The surgeon and the Neonatologist had a pow-wow and decided that no decisions would be made today. They will wait to see what the morning x-ray looks like. If his lungs look more clear and his ventilator settings are low enough, the plan is to take out his breathing tube. If this goes well, then they will start a continuous slow drip of breast milk through his naso-gastric tube (the tube in his nose that goes to his stomach). So, we will patiently wait for morning and pray that his lungs will clear up and be ready for the next step.
Crew weighed 4 pounds 5 ounces . . . officially below birth weight. If all the above is good and goes without a hitch tomorrow, Gretchen will get to hold her little guy for the first time.
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