Our Quiverfull - Wednesday update #1

Jan. 23, 2008

Wednesday update #1

Sorry about no new updates yesterday. It just wasn't physically possible for me to get to the laptop until it became so late that I wasn't emotionally up for updating. Noah is holding on, and actually right now he is hanging out in his crib watching - - you guessed it - - Baby Einstein.

Yesterday was a truly horrific day. Noah threw up constantly (sometimes as often as every 30 seconds) until after 6 PM. He couldn't even lift his little head and we had to cradle it in our hands so he wouldn't choke. A little while after 6 the nurse was able to suction his stomach (HOW could there still even be anything in there??!!) , open his drain, and give him some IV nausea medicine for good measure. After a while he fell asleep on my shoulder. He had been out of it for most of the day, but I could tell when he moved into peaceful SLEEP at last. Our dear friends the Rausch's came up and held and rocked him so that I could finally clean up and take a hot shower. I never, ever want to smell barium again. Ever. After a couple of hours of good sleep, Noah began to wake up and take in his surroundings, and even to smile and look at a book we held for him. I was so glad that our friends were able to see him do this as he looked awful when they arrived.

Right after they left he perked up even a bit more to the point of taking a little interest in some toys. Right about then our friend Lynette and a friend of hers came by. Again, this was perfect timing. They helped me wash sweet Noah, massage him with lotion, put balm on his bleeding lips, and get him into clean pajamas. Jeff and I hadn't been able to keep up with any more than damp washcloths for his face and hands until this point because there was never a break long enough to really clean Noah up. He pitched a fit about his bath (which was actually GREAT to see LOL) but I am sure he had to feel so much better to be clean and comforted. They rocked him while I got ready for bed, prayed with me, then he and I gratefully climbed into bed as soon as they left. His short spurt of being awake wore him right out and he literally hardly even twitched all night. I rolled him now and then when I would wake up so that he wouldn't wake up stiff. I was able to sleep the night through without any unusual interruptions and am very thankful for some rest. It was really amazing and beautiful to see how every single time I needed something yesterday - a shower, a chance to eat, help in radiology, or whatever - someone would walk right in the door at just the right time. Every need was met without my asking at all. God is so faithful.

A good night's sleep, relief from the vomiting, and as little stress as possible have made a difference today. Noah has been more tired than usual (and at times pretty cranky!), but has also had some happy quiet playtimes. It is an absolute joy to see after yesterday!   He is still significantly weak and has often needed me to hold his head up for him even if he is sitting on my lap - but that is much better than yesterday.

We just heard that the upper GI didn't really show any kind of blockage or anything "fixable." There was talk about doing a CT scan, but since that would require contrast in Noah's tummy and probably result in the sort of severe vomiting he had yesterday, no one was really willing to try it today. It hasn't been ruled out for another day, but I can't imagine putting him through two days in a row like yesterday. I think that today's rest and relative relaxation are very important for Noah.   If he continues on with all of the drainage but no emergent surgical issues, we may end up taking him home with the drain. It is a huge step backward from a GI point of view, and no one knows how long-term it would be. Noah may be started on some different drugs to reduce the amount of bile and stomach secretions he makes, help neutralize some of the acid, etc. These would offer symptomatic relief but not really healing. It looks more and more like only time will tell what we are dealing with here. These drugs and his anti-nausea medicine can all be given IV through his broviac, but we aren't sure what to do about his cardiac medicine. This is administered through his g-tube. If we give it and DON'T clamp his stomach drain, the medicine will run right out. If we give it and DO clamp his drain, everything will back up and he will vomit. Cardiology has been called in for a consult in the hopes that they will have a good idea. Cardiac drugs *can* be given IV, but this can be risky and no one really knows if this is something we can do at home. We should have good answers on that issue once Noah sees the cardiologist.

I'd better end this post now. :-) Every time I think I am finished writing, someone else comes in to offer an opinion or information - so if I don't post this now it will end up being the never-ending post! (I just looked down and realized I started writing this post at 9:15 this morning LOL). Do pray for me tomorrow morning. I am having my last (!!) maternal-fetal medicine appointment and an amnio to confirm Mary Faith's lung maturity. Given the uncertainty about my actual due date, everyone feels that it is prudent to be sure her lungs are mature before I have her. It is highly unlikely that they AREN'T mature, but I guess it is better to be safe than sorry.

Love,
Kate

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Jan. 23, 2008 - praise God!

Posted by Anonymous

thankful Noah is doing a little better today! still praying! Love Clarissa and family in Yacolt WA