Closer to a diagnosis

This blog is going to be quick, as I am on my way to work. We think that we have a diagnosis for Alex. It is called gastroparesis and is the result of a really bad stomach bug that he caught in early December (when this whole thing started). The good news is that we are with one of the best pediatric gastroenterologists in the region, the not so great news is that it can take 3-12 months for this to go away and we have to continually watch his weight and keep him on the $200 per week formula. ARGH!

We go back to the doctor on the 22nd for a follow up and review of all of the tests. I will post more after that visit.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. It has been a long road, but I can see the end of this journey.

Our collection of hospital bracelets

We just increased our collection of hospital bracelets by 1 more last night. Kevin and I were watching a movie with our cousin Jenna. I was looking at Alex and noticed that his ears were VERY red and even red down the back of his neck. I thought maybe I had used too much detergent on his clothing, so I didn't give it much thought. Plus, he had been rolling around on the floor for about 15 minutes and is often red after that.

When I brought up on to couch to sit with me again I noticed that he had hives all over his face. I asked Kevin to come over and look and further examination showed that they were all over his trunk and into his diaper area. So, Jenna rushed me to the emergency room (again) while Kevin took Matthew up to Leighanna's house. We got right back to see the doctor. They gave him some benadryl right away and the doctor told us that we were dealing with...wait for it, wait for it...an allergy to his hypoallergenic formula! Can it get any worse?? This conclusion was made due to the fact that the redness started about 30 minutes after he ate his bottle.

Just add it to the list.

Alex Update

Just when I thought it was safe to go back to feeding without a muumuu on. Dr. Abou-Harb took us off the EleCare formula and put us back on the Soy formula to see how Alex would do. Anyone wanna take a guess? Yesterday he was cramping so badly and spitting up so much that my babysitter finally called because she was getting worried. Everyone that has seen him in recent weeks have made the same comment "he just doesn't look like he is feeling well". We did a weight check yesterday and Alex has only gained 11 ounces in the past 3 weeks.

I am tired, I am frustrated and most of all, I am getting very worried. Alex is having more testing done on Monday and Tuesday and hopefully we will have some answers after that. He will be sedated for the test on Tuesday, which will involve staying at the hospital for a few hours after.

Please say prayers that we get some kind of a treatment plan in the near future. Kevin and I are still laughing, but we are both exaughsted and need to get this all figured out as soon as possible.

A Letter to Mr. Snow

Dear Mr. Snow,

If we promise to miss you will you please go away?

Love,

The snow weary, wish-school-was-back-in-session, tired of the crappy driving conditions, had to wait three weeks for the garbage truck to make it up our street, worried that our roof might cave in, and did I mention all the ice, residents of Spokane, WA.

Happy New Year?

I am ready for 2008 to be over with. I am taking a brief break from end of year financials (try not to be jealous) to share with you the major events that 2009 will be bringing, hopefully, to our family

* My first born, Matthew, will be turning 5 in a couple of weeks! It seems like I was just pregnant with him.

* I am turning the big 3-0...tears to follow.

* Kevin will be looking for a new job

* My last baby will turn 1.

* Hopefully my sister and her husband will announce an upcoming addition to their family.

* More good times with our friends and families...either in person or sharing through these blogs!

Thank you to each of you who are a part of our lives. Even if we don't see you or talk to you much, please know that we are greatful for all of our friends. Now, as for Alex - quick update...Upper G.I. scheduled on Tuesday, January 6. More information to follow after that!

Hospital Pics

Here are some pictures of the stay at the hospital. We went for several walks in the skybridges and around the hospital. Matthew had a great time holding his little brother in the red wagons provided for us on our walks. Enjoy!










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Christmas Eve

Well, we got to go home from the hospital last Monday and everything was going well...then Tuesday night the diarreha and vomitting started again. I seriously thought I was going to come undone. We called the pediatrician and got in on Wednesday morning. Since it was Christmas Eve, our pediatrician wasn't in, but the ANRP was. She said that Alex was doing well as far as his hydration was concerned, and there was nothing that we could do. I asked for a referral to the Peds G.I. doctor and she said that they would start working on it. About 30 minutes later I got a phone call from their office saying that the Peds G.I. doctor would review his file in a couple of weeks and decide if he was going to see Alex. At this point the tears started flowing uncontrolled. How long was this going to go on? Alex was so pale on Tuesday night I was afraid to put him down.

To make a long story short, I called my mom hysterically crying. She made a phone call to the VP of the Children's Hospital, who made a phone call to the Peds G.I. doctor on our behalf. At 12:00 that afternoon Alex was being seen by Dr. Abou-Harb. THANK GOD! Alex is scheduled for an upper G.I. next week sometime to review his anatomy and find out what is causing all of this stomach upset.

Christmas Eve only continued to get better. That same morning, dad's garage heater went out, later in the day they were out shopping for a new oven because their existing oven quit and my parents were hosting people for Christmas Eve dinner, then the prime rib caught on fire on the grill. We had a great time at dinner and playing our annual family game. At about 12:20, I heard Matthew crying in the basement and he wasn't stopping. Just as I was going downstairs Kevin opened the door and said "Matthew is throwing up". And so it went. Matthew was up every 2 hours vomitting and crying. It quit after exactly 12 hours.

Did I mention all of the snow??