Landon here. Parker is still hanging in there although the past few days have been filled with a few set backs. Wednesday morning we were awakened by a call from the on shift neonatologist who informs us that Parker's condition had changed. The doctor said that they were having to increase his respiratory support settings because he is having more and more trouble breathing on his on. We got up and dressed asap and headed down to the NICU. At the unit the doctors told us that it seems he had lost the reserve air that we all retain in our lungs. Maybe we are asking too much of him to soon the doctor said and he just needs a little more help for a longer period of time to keep his lungs expanded. He also needed a blood transfusion, see red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body, and preemie babies can not make their own, so they thought maybe this trouble breathing was due to the need for more red blood cells, so they started his first blood transfusion and said he would get another one 20 hours later. The day went on and he seemed to be getting worse at times. Wednesday night we left with him peacefully asleep and the monitors indicated that he was possibly starting to head back in the right direction. Thursday morning came with again another call from the on shift neonatologist. This time the news was much more troubling. The doctor indicated that Parker was showing signs that he has a severe intestinal tract infection and that his feeding were being stopped. She told us that in the early morning hours he started requiring more oxygen, and his stomach was swelled up. They did an abdominal x-ray which showed air in his tummy. This is apparently a sign of this infection they call NEC. She informed us that this was very serious, and instructed us not to look it up on the internet b/c it would "scare us to death". Well of course that's the first thing Crystal did, and the results were not good. We both were extremely upset and had a big cry and then rushed to the unit. It seemed like our baby was just getting worse and worse and we were so scared. They had started IVs on him and hooked up a vacuuming device to his feeding tube because he had a lot of gas that needed to be removed from his stomach. Blood work and cultures had been ordered as well as a antibiotics. His other blood transfusion was also started. His respiratory equipment was also turned up to assist him even more. We did get some encouraging news while we were there however, some of the blood work came back and as of then did not indicate that Parker's body was fighting an infection. So that was good news that maybe it was not this NEC. It seems like we are starting over again. He was resting good Thursday night when we left. Friday we awoke with no calls from the NICU. When we arrived they said he had a good night. The doctor told us that from the indications they have so fare it looks like he may not have the intestinal infection although it can not be ruled out until the cultures are back in a couple more days. He had a different opinion on the situation and felt that the whole stomach problem wasn't as dire as we were led to believe the morning before. He thinks the swelling of his stomach may be due to irritation from the blood transfusion or just gas. He said that his intestines may not be able to digest as much milk as they had been trying to give him so they will hopefully start him back on feeds tomorrow with smaller portions at this time. Tonight we left with his belly back to normal size and his monitors indicating progress. Continue to pray for Parker and us, and as soon as we know more we will let everyone know.