Saturday, February 25, 2012

My Incredible Shrinking Girl

So I'm getting kind of worried.  Cora has lost an additional 1/2 pound in the last 4 days.  And she is nursing at about once an hour during the day.  She refuses food after the first few bites.  I'm not sure what else to do.  She doesn't really seem to be in much pain at this point and her mood is looking up.  So we're not sure why she's not taking in enough to maintain her weight, let alone gain.  She could still have some throat soreness, but she's almost at 2 weeks post-op now.  She could be having a hard time coping with the extra secretions in her airway from the pneumonia, or her little tummy could just be shrunken.  We don't know, but one thing is certain:  she is shrinking.  She's losing 2 ounces a day.  

She is absolutely swimming in her 9 month clothes and the size 3 diapers barely fit anymore.  Even her bibs are too big now.

If she's down again tomorrow we are seriously considering putting her NG tube back in. Then we can pump in a couple extra ounces a few times a day and work on boosting her calories back up.  Of course, we won't be very popular if this happens, but it will help give us a little more control.

I hate this, I hate this, I hate this.  If we'd have known what was in store, I don't think we'd have ever chosen to do this surgery.  We won't know whether it was successful until we know the swelling is gone and her airway is clear.  She's still snoring very loudly, having some apnea it seems, and waking herself up all night long. 

I am just so, so stressed about it all.  Stressed and concerned and so sick and tired of being cooped up 24 hours a day.  My darling husband is dealing with a very busy time at work AND a very busy quarter as a part-time student (including Saturday class!!!!).  Therefore mommy duty is even more intensive than usual.

Anyway... this is my request for good thoughts for her appetite to improve.  I really want her to get back to her pudgy little self, rather than shrinking before my eyes.

12 comments:

  1. Oh Leah, I am sorry things are still not good! I will be thinking of you and wishing for the best. This must be so very hard on all of you. :(

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  2. Oh wow. I wish I had some really profound advice to offer. When Addison was in NICU, they would add calories to my breastmilk through a specialized high calorie formula to help her beef up due to the extra calories she was burning just to breathe. It was called "fortifying" the milk. I'm sure you've already tried something like that, but just wanted to mention it just in case you hadn't.
    Totally get the cooped up/busy husband deal as well. Hope things get better for you guys soon! Praying for the weight loss problem to go away.

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  3. Sometimes I think motherhood is all about trying to make the best choice and second guessing ourselves the whole time. We just spent two weeks in the hospital due to RSV. Early into the second week I found myself wishing I had never called the doctor about her breathing. Of course, you have to call when you're concerned and we have to make the best choice for our kids. Cora having the surgery was the best option, and probably still is. She just needs a little extra time to recover. Sending good thoughts to you and your baby girl. Hopefully all the swelling resolves itself and she'll be back on the road to recovery. (And doesn't it always drive you nuts when we work so hard to put weight on these little tykes and they seem to lose it sneezing!)

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  4. Oh my...I am sending good vibes to you all...hugs n smiles

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  5. Oh mama! This sounds all so very stressful and poor little Cora Bean. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. Thanks for keeping all of us posted.

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  6. I just remembered, my doctor suggested waiting at least two hours in between feedings so she has time to a.) Be hungry and b.) Digest what she ate. I don't know if i could do it when you know she's hungry but it did help my little one. I'm not sure how much since she doesn't get weighed until Tuesday but she seems to be eating better and and longer. Good luck.

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  7. We are still wishing and praying for Cora's recovery. Hugs!

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  8. I'll be praying for sweet Cora. You guys have had such a rough time. Just remember that you NEVER could have forseen these difficulities. You were making the best decision based on all of the facts. I hope things get better soon.

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  9. I went through this in January with Jadon. I promise you when it is all over, and Cora is healed you will be grateful you did it. It doesn't make healing and this trouble any better right now, but you will get there. We were hospitalized for a week, on oxygen for 2 weeks. But I would do it all again in a heartbeat. He was my fourth child to go through it and I went through it as an adult in 2006 at the age of 32. Praying she is well soon.

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  10. Oh, I'm so sorry things are still rough. I'll continue sending prayers for Cora (and you all).

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  11. Hugs and prayers. Remember, you had absolutely NO way of knowing any of that.

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  12. Oh, this sounds like it has been quite the ordeal! I really feel for you Leah this has been a rough go for you the past few weeks. Praying Cora recovers quickly and is able to start eating more and not dropping anymore weight.

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me!