Lots of Holding and a Pinch of Salt

Well, maybe not salt exactly, but a little extra sodium solution is going to be added to Luke's milk feedings to bring his sodium level up a little bit as it was down somewhat as a natural reaction to coming off of his I.V. nutrients which he is done with now. As long as he doesn't need anything in his "pik" line in the next 48 hours, they'll most likely take it out. One of his nurses is in favor of keeping it in a bit longer as a precautionary measure, but we'll see what happens.
Tonight I (John) got to hold him for the 3rd time and it's starting to feel much more natural and normal now. As any parent knows, looking down at your child is a great feeling and when they look back up at you it's even better. Luke is getting more and more used to being held and handled by the nurses. They've been able to come way down on his oxygen levels (almost at room air level now) which is great and while he still has his little "de-sat" spells, it seems to be him just holding his breath as he stretches and moves around rather than anything with his oxygen level as he does it whether he's at 22% oxygen or 52%. The doctors continue to reduce his ventilator rates and pressures and increase the amount on his feedings as well.
We'll have another family meeting with his main doctor this week for a progress report. We'll keep you all posted as usual.