Today was our appointment with Dr. O, the GI doctor. Bubeaner now weighs 17.5 pounds. We had expected a higher number since he is now eating non-stop and feels so much heavier. His height was also measured but, if it's to be believed, it was less than his 9-month check up. We sincerely doubt he shrunk; it's probably just how the nurse took the measurement.
Momma and Bubeaner entertaining themselves
with the camera waiting for the MD
We mentioned to Dr. O his recent bout of explosive reflux in the last 2 weeks. Dr. O mentioned the cold could have affected his system and thus was having a little more reflux. We had hoped to start weaning him of his Nexium, but he gave us three options to try for now: (1) do nothing and wait out to see if his reflux gets back under control again then wean him off, (2) double his dose for the next two months and then wean him to one dose and then wean him completely, or (3) opt for a GI scope which would entail anesthesia.
We got a prescription for the double dose of Nexium, but for now we are going to give his body another week or so to get back to normal. The scope option was too invasive at this time considering we have no other reason to assume something else might be causing the reflux problem. Hopefully, Bubeaner will start feeling better soon and won't need the double dose.
"Yo, whatcha want?
I'm getting a little bored"
Dr. O also mentioned that he wanted us to start fattening up Bubeaner. He wants Bubeaner's weight up. After more questions, Dr. O did mention that his weight is fine for his adjusted age but that he wants him to be at his chronological weight by one year. He suggested adding butter or olive oil to everything. This seems a little extreme to us since we are trying to instill good eating habits and adding butter seems to contradict our goals. We did request a consult with a dietician for other healthier methods to increase with caloric intake. Dr. O also requested a blood test for food allergies which at Bubeaner's age can give us false negatives but would let us know if there IS currently something upsetting Bubeaner's system.
"I was TORTURED!
Momma is a MEAN momma."
Notice the bandage on his right arm from the blood draw.
We decided to get the blood draw done today rather than waiting. We have been extremely blessed that the phlebotomists at the hospital have been great! This time the technician had the idea of keeping Bubeaner strapped in his car seat. This allowed us to just worry about maintaining his arm still. She was in and out fast and as painlessly as possible. Bubeaner cried at first, then, he was distracted by the needle. He actually was so intrigued he forgot to cry. He is such a curious, curious child.
Afterwards, Bubeaner took a little trip to the his NICU to take the nurses some donuts. He lucked out and some of his favorite nurses were on duty including his RN Tammy. RN Tammy immediately consoled Bubeaner on his suffering. The NICU staff were not concerned about his current weight. They were please with how well he was doing overall. And so are we.
But, alas, Bubeaner soon had RN Tammie loving on him.
She "understands" his suffering.
No comments:
Post a Comment