Cohen meets baby Sutton

First, we got some energy out in the siblings playroom at SLCH...

Then we went up to meet our baby...

Cohen was exhausted after a full day!

Let me just say, this would be so much more difficult if Cohen weren't such a kind hearted, wonderful little boy. He always whispers when we go back to visit Sutton because "babies seepin'," he never tries to grab at any of his lines, and he slept like a champ in the room with us despite my waking every 3 hours to pump. He has been our little ray of sunshine, not to mention comic relief, in these stressful and overwhelming days. He'll teach Sutton well.

Extubation

Update: Sutton was extubated this morning after he had an uneventful night switching from his vent settings to CPAP. Unfortunately, the extubation did not go as we had hoped and he had to be reintubated. After speaking with the ENT physician, we will make no further changes to his plan of care until Monday, at which time we may do surgery to remove some of the affected lymph nodes and he will likely have a trach placed. That, right now, is our best hope for getting him home. According to the physicians, it is unrealistic to keep him vented (versus a trach) because it may take some time for this condition to resolve itself and a trach is a safer, more long term option to protect his airway. 

We greatly appreciate the love and support and ask for continued prayers as we move slowly through the process of getting Sutton home.

Before Extubation 

After Extubation

Sutton Michael Busch

Sutton Michael Busch made an incredibly grand entrance on Monday, June 24th at 4:08 am. He weighed in at a beefy 7 lbs 15 oz and was 21 inches long. He was having some difficulty breathing shortly after birth so he was taken to the NICU and intubated. By 9:30 am, Sutton's helicopter to St. Louis Children's Hospital had arrived and whisked him away. My OB graciously gave me discharge orders and we followed close behind. The docs here have determined the swelling on the right side of his neck that was causing his difficulty breathing is related to a lymphatic malformation. This morning (June 26), under ultrasound guidance, Sutton's lymph tissue was drained and he is doing great. Once they are certain the swelling has gone down, he will be extubated. Because he is otherwise healthy, discharge plans aren't too far out. Your continued thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated as we work to maintain a balance for Cohen, Sutton and ourselves during this chaotic time.

"So do not fear for I am with you; Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10