Ryan is too slow!

OK, Ryan didn't get to it fast enough for me! :) So we talked about it, and I'm going to post the update for yesterday afternoon.

We finally spoke to the "big bad wolf" - Dr. Bay from Genetics. We had been warned by several people that it could be a difficult part of the process (especially emotionally), but it wasn't so bad. Dr. Bay has an obvious genuine desire to help parents and children. And with her cottage in Ohio, her community life there (on the edge of acres of natural wooded area), and her experience at St. Luke's Parish, Ryan and I think she is the Annie Dillard of the genetics field.

Dr. Bay asked us some questions, and told us about her methods and purpose in looking at Athan. Basically, her job is to find out whether Athan's complications and unique characteristics, taken together, point us to a syndrome of any kind. Right now, we still don't know. Dr. Bay and her team will continue to watch and test a few things, and see if any findings are conclusive and point toward a specific diagnosis. She was very positive about his progress so far (I believe her exact words were "He must be a fighter."), and she echoed the words we've heard from so many that his being alive at all is miraculous.

Last night was kinda tough on Mama because we didn't get to see our boy for several feedings. Athan was fine, but NICU had a very, very sick baby come in. The nursery was closed for the last feeding we usually make, and the we just had to get some sleep during the next two. It's the first time we had to miss so many feedings in a row. There was another baby brought in this morning who is also very sick, so we are kind of on stand-by as to when/how we can be with him. Ashely helped us just take him to another room to do his care/feeding this morning, and Kim said she would do the same for the next one. Once again, great nurses to the rescue! :)

We will have more info after rounds, so I'll post again around lunchtime.