Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Too good to last

We're back in the hospital.

Since we went home on Monday, A has had some difficulty w/ his stools. Lots of blood. We had called emergency on Monday night and Erin talked to the surgery resident who wasn't concerned.

We then had a fantastic day yesterday. it was the best day of my life, I think. We went to the pediatrician, who wasn't concerned about the blood in his stools (we brought it with us) since he was back to yellow breast milk poop. We ran a couple of errands, and just worked to get into the swing of things back at home. In the middle of the night, though, the red/brown returned. We tried not to panic/wait it out as it had returned to yellow the day before. This morning, though, A wasn't eating well, so the surgeon's office saw us (after E called them THREE times and badgered them into an appointment.) The nurse decided, after looking at A, that she wanted the surgeon to take a look at him. Dr. L wasn't concerned about the blood, but said that A "just didn't look well" and that since there is such a "small margin of error", he wanted us back in the hospital.

E and I are taking turns rocking A. We are waiting for tests to come back. A was definitely dehydrated and we are waiting to see if:
  • it is some sort of infection (requiring a 7-10 day course of antibiotics, probably)
  • he has mal-absorption issues related to his surgery (could require a range of treatments)
  • or to see if it was just dehydration (E and I were just talking and we have no idea what this would mean for us).

So, here we are again. Tired, feeling a bit defeated. We are, at least, glad to back in the same NICU where we started (there was a chance we'd have to go to a different one.) We are also relieved that G's daycare snuck her in for Friday as well as her usual Thursday visit. That gives us until Saturday to figure out how to arrange our lives. E is going to finagle work as best as she can.

No parents should have to go through this. Neither should any new little life to this world. A is still our little fighter. He is not a sickly child overall, we just have to get this under control.

AGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

28 comments:

Ali said...

Oh, I am so sorry. Hold on to each other. Keeping you all in prayer

Chris K said...

Sorry guys, we'll continue with the prayers. We love you 3 all so much and it will all be a distant memory soon. Keep your heads up!! Give baby A lots of kisses!!

Lizzie said...

Oh, Sara and Erin and A. Holding your little guy in the light. Lots of love.

Anonymous said...

Ugh. I'm so sorry to hear that you girls and A are back int he NICU. This totally is a bummer! I hope that everything is okay, and I will be thinking of him. Good Luck!

N said...

I'm so sorry to hear that. I've got you guys in my thoughts.

*G* said...

Ugh. So sorry that you three are back in the hospital. How frustrating you all must be, but we all know you're in good hands with the NICU. Hoping you'll have some answers soon and that A will continue to heal and get stronger every day. Thinking of you three and sending lots of positive thoughts.

Robbie said...

Well this just sucks. I popped on hoping to see "happy at home" pictures just to find there is semi-bad news.I'm glad you're in familiar surroundings instead of having to learn about a whole new NICU. You three hang in there. You have alot of people pulling for you.

Anonymous said...

so sorry this is happening to you. hoping he recovers quickly.

sending luck and get well wishes to your little family.

R said...

Damn. I'm so sorry. Sending you lots of prayers and a big hug.

Anonymous said...

Many thoughts and prayers to you all.

Anonymous said...

oh jeesh. :( i send love to you all too, and hope you get to leave soon!! xxxx

Anonymous said...

Oh bugger. Sorry to hear about the setback. I hope A continues to make more forwards steps than back. We'll be thinking of you all.

Anonymous said...

I am praying for you all once again.

Keep strong.

Rosany

Kim aka Mommy said...

Keeping you all in our prayers and sending comfort and healing your way.

Dr. Grumbles said...

Nooo!

Please get well, little A!

NotesFrom2Moms said...

ooo girls... i am so so sorry. Keeping you three in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

So, so not fair. My heart is just cracked right through for you guys. I'll be thinking good, good thoughts for you three. xoxo.

Eliza said...

Oh dear. I have been down this road, and part of me wants to tell you everything will be fine and part of me wants to caution that you may need to redefine "fine" a little, but mostly I'd just like to offer my support in any way you need it. I have a sneaking suspicion that you may end up having to more closely monitor input and output, which can get tricky with breastfeeding (LCs are usually great fans of the weighing before and after feedings, doctors NOT SO MUCH and it's hard to argue with ANYONE medical when your kid seems to depend on them so heavily) to stay on top of any potential dehydration issues. If this is short-gut syndrome, then you're looking at hyperalimentation of some sort (think NG-tube and/or possibly G-tube to pump the calories in overnight, and potentially an elemental formula, which is the only thing easier to absorb than breastmilk--sounds horrific but equally horrific is how quickly you can get used to these things), which is a nuisance, and ohhhhhhh the places you'll go to see specialists! If you want to talk to someone who knows what it's like to have a teeny-tiny baby with extreme GI/malabsorption issues and all of the appointments, equipment, and unplanned training in pediatric durable medical equipment placement, feel free to drop me a line, and I SO hope that this does end up being one of those "hurdles" that need to be overcome in the first year and are never heard from again!

MommynMama said...

I'm sorry to read this. I hope baby "A" will be going home really soon. I know it is though, with our first daughter we were in the hospital just like you when she was 4 days old. It is a rough thing to go through. Know that I am thinking about you three.

Anonymous said...

Ugh. I'm so sorry. But I guess he's where he needs to be to get well.
Just know we're all here thinking of you and sending you all of our prayers.
xo.

giggleblue said...

damn. you both will be in thoughts!

tbean said...

Damn! There are few words to adequately describe how much this sucks or how hellish your experience has been. The light is there, at the end of this dark tunnel. Even if it feels a bit further away today.
Hugs.

kwillmetta said...

Oh sweet boy......be strong

Merr said...

Oh no I am so sorry! Thinking of you guys and hoping for the best.

j.k-c. said...

So, so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Anonymous said...

Oh girls, I'm so sorry you're going through this right now! You are in my thoughts. I hope A is better in NO time!

E. from Pot o' Gold said...

You're right. You shouldn't be going through this. I'm sending you lots of good vibes for strength.

MaMaMia said...

We all continue to surround your family with our thoughts, prayers, and love.