"I don't know, maybe he'll be normal!"

Ryder was starting to get bored here in the PICU, you know, after he conquered sepsis and what not, so he has taken a few tours the last few days...first to get his PICC line...then to room 17A Monday.  He liked the view there but was not too excited about the prospect of a noisy roommate (he likes his prn versed naps) so he moved down to room 20 last night.  I'm sure his move to a quiet private room at the end of the hallway with its own bathroom has nothing to do with the fact that he has charmed the charge nurses with his gorgeous blue eyes or his general adorableness.  I don't know, maybe his daddy is a little bit charming too ;)

Today he is having a good day - a couple spit-ups this morning after getting his yucky vitamin; but now getting fortified breast milk for some extra calories and is off another IV medicine.  Ventilator support is still being weaned very slowly and he is doing well with that too.  Ryder took his most recent trip this morning down to MRI.  These scans are done for all the kiddos after heart surgery + ECMO.  (Originally he was going to get a CT after the intraventricular bleed he had week 2, but this was deferred since he would be getting the MRI anyway).  It turns out he does indeed have all the necessary brain parts and it looks like there won't be any issues related to that bleed (only a very small amt of resolving blood was seen in that area).  Radiology felt that there was mild volume loss - perhaps mild atrophy.  That's an awful word frankly.  The statement was also was surrounded by a lot of other jargin which in my opinion is over-used by radiologists sometimes (no offense radiologists, it does beef up the report effectively) but clinical correlation would be helpful?  That's some serious radiologist cliche!  Anyway, we all know Ryder's already a smart cookie - he tracks every movement of anyone in his room when he's awake and gives them all appropriate evil eyes when he doesn't like what they are doing.  He also loves music and already knows how to tease his nurses and RTs by twirling his little fingers around his lines and tubes.  Mild atrophy isn't uncommon after a neonate goes on ECMO, so we are not too concerned.  I liked how the attending put it "I don't know, perhaps before ECMO he would have been a genious and now he'll be normal."  Funny.  "Normal" or not, I have complete trust he was made perfectly, his life will be brimming full of hope and he will continue to be soooo loved.  No clinical correlation will be necessary, thank you!