He has lipomyelomeningocele. The defect is at L5 (lumbar spine, 5th vertebra) and extends up to L3. His surgery will take about 6 hours. There's an almost-100 percent chance he'll have bowel & bladder issues, and he may have difficulty with walking and reduced sensation in his legs, but we're (obviously) hopeful that he'll have a good outcome and that he won't be too compromised when he gets bigger.
He's getting expressed breastmilk via a bottle up at the hospital, but I'm hoping he'll take to nursing once he gets home (next week, assuming all goes well with his surgery). The NICU nurses have been wonderful with my little guy and they tell me little stories of how he's doing every time I call. That doesn't make it easier to be separated from him, but it's nice to hear that my baby is a sweetie. I can't wait until I get to hold him and cuddle him and learn about him for myself.
He's getting expressed breastmilk via a bottle up at the hospital, but I'm hoping he'll take to nursing once he gets home (next week, assuming all goes well with his surgery). The NICU nurses have been wonderful with my little guy and they tell me little stories of how he's doing every time I call. That doesn't make it easier to be separated from him, but it's nice to hear that my baby is a sweetie. I can't wait until I get to hold him and cuddle him and learn about him for myself.
