Today was Samuel's GI appointment. You know, the one we've been waiting for since November....
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| At the appointment...waiting and waiting. |
We just got home and my goodness, are we EXHAUSTED! Hopefully the three hours we spent at the appointment will be worth the answers we receive. I wasn't too optimistic when the doctor walked in and said, "I don't know why you're here. He's doing great! His weight gain is appropriate and it sounds like his reflux is under control." However, he changed his mind once he began examining Samuel (and noticed the HUGE belly and the rash across it.) He ordered an upper-GI and some blood work.
The doctor's best guess is a dairy allergy....but he is running a few other tests to be sure (one for Celiac disease.) The upper GI will have to wait until we go to Little Rock. In the meantime, he wants me to continue giving Samuel the Pediasure since it is working for now.
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| You can see how distended Samuel's belly gets. |
To test for the allergies, he had to have blood drawn (always a nightmare.) When I walked in I said "Are you good at this? He is a hard stick." The guy ignored me....until he had blown two of Samuel's veins - one in each arm. During all of this I was holding Samuel down while he screamed and WAILED. I am so TIRED of holding my son down. I am tired of having to be the bad guy while they do x-rays, swallow studies, shots, ECHOs, heel sticks, and other things. I seriously laugh when other mothers say they cry when their kid gets a few shots. I know it will get better one of these days.....right now I am going to have to suck it up and deal with it.
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| And this one is just because he is SO CUTE! |
On a more optimistic note, a few nurses came to check on us after they heard Samuel crying. They said they could hear him down the hall and that he was LOUD. My son? Loud? Why yes he is! That damaged vocal cord is improving by the day.
OH and I almost forgot. We broke the 18 pound mark! He is 18lbs 6oz today.
he certainly has grown!! what a cutie pie!!!! i loved your monster themed party!! i've got to come up with an idea for jonah!! i can't believe how big our boys are!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a rough day for you both!!! I'm sure you are emotionally wrung out and I am praying you can both get settled down and rest a bit. Praying they can get to the bottom of Samuel's problem after all this and it is something that can be dealt with fairly easily. His weight gain is great though..love those chubby, pink cheeks. Give him a kiss for me and a big hug to you. You're doing great Mom, hang in there!!
ReplyDeleteI laughed when I read that the doctor walked in and first said he didn't know why you were there and then realized. That has happened at every specialist we have ever taken our daughter to. Very frustrating! Wow, do you have a handsome son! What a cutie! I hope you get the answers you need. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteI only hope that you will be able to enjoy your pediatric visits soon and have as close to normal visits soon, Sarah. I cannot imagine what all you have to do in order to make sure Samuel is healthy and yes, you should laugh at the thought of mothers crying when their child gets shots. You are honestly one of the strongest women I know as well as one heck of a good Mom to endure all you have. God sure did make you a strong woman and someone to admire. He is a handsome, healthy (for the biggest part after all you all have been through) and also an adventure. Samuel makes you the woman you are in strength, faith and love. He will always appreciate you and know you faught to keep him healthy once he is old enough to tell you, he will.
ReplyDeleteYAY for being loud. I have been hoping that vocal chord would heal!
thank u so much for sharing the pics and the updates on samuel...day by day - week by week - then it became month by month and now we have year by year...yes so amazing you and your family....you inspire me each time I get to read about Samuel. I got to show Ms Pat the new pictures of Samuel yesterday...she just ooooowww and awwhhhhh over him..He is just such a part of each of our lives...we love ya'll so much and give Glory to the Father for all.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through preemie blog moms. Our stories are similar in several ways. I have twins born at 24/1 weeks. My som also has a paralyzed vocal chord. He has just now learned to eat. A lot of your blog sounds like mine- wanting to fast forward when they were born, eating challenges, appointments, and more. I laugh too when moms say there is nothing worse than holding your child down for immunizations. I want to say try watching their little body shake on an oscillating ventilator for weeks or holding them down while an ent shoves a scope down their throat or holding them down while trying to insert a feeding tube down their nose (and not land it in their lungs) and so much more. You're right micro-preemies are not for the weak. By the way, your son is absolutely adorable! Also our blog is www.camdyncade.blogspot.com.
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