Tuesday, December 2, 2008

December doctor visit No. 1

Brooklyn went to see Dr. R, her gastroenterologist today. Can I just start off by bragging? My baby girl weighed in at 14 pounds, 3 ounces!!! And she was 25 inches long! Dr. R said he was very happy because she is now "on the curve" - meaning that she is actually on a curve on the growth chart now...3rd percentile...but still on a curve! She is between 3rd and 5th percentiles for length. Go baby bear!

The visit with Dr. R was fairly uneventful. He increased her Bethanecol because her reflux is still really bad and she spits up a lot, especially at night. One problem we have been having is that she sometimes spits up about 5 or 10 minutes after we give her all of her medicines, and you can tell that she has spit up the meds, not milk. So then I worry that she isn't getting the benefit of any of her medications. She also spits up a lot even when it has been 2 or 3 hours since a feeding. Dr. R hopes that upping her dosage on the Bethanecol will help with these problems.

He also said that we can start giving her baby food every day now. I was feeding it to her about two or three times per week because her pediatrician didn't want it to take away from the increased calories she gets from her special formula mix (we have to mix rice cereal and extra formula powder into her bottles to make it 30 calories per ounce instead of 20...this helps with her weight gain problems and also keeps her from choking while eating). Dr. R said that since she is gaining now, I can give her baby food once a day and continue with the same regimen with the formula. She is about 50% breastfed and 50% formula fed now. He also said that she may spit up less as she eats more baby food. I'm glad because Brooklyn really loves to eat her baby food! You can tell she is so proud of herself when she gets to sit in her little chair and eat "big girl food!"

The best thing that Dr. R said today was that we are doing a great job and that what we are doing is working, just slowly. He said that he feels confident that Brooklyn will eventually grow out of all of her health problems. Dave told me that he felt like crying with relief after Dr. R said that because we rarely ever hear anything positive at Brooklyn's doctors appointments. It really is comforting to have an expert tell you that you are doing well and that things are finally moving in the right direction.

Brooklyn's next appointment is with Dr. G2, her pulmonologist, next Friday. Supposedly he is going to decide whether Brooklyn needs surgery to correct her laryngomalacia and floppy arytenoids. I am conflicted about this. I would like to avoid surgery if at all possible because I don't want to put her through anything else. But if it would fix everything...then I think I would be okay with doing it...I think. It's scary. I have mixed feelings. I don't know.

I am trying to wait to see what Dr. G2 has to say next week before I worry too much about that. For now, I am trying to let myself enjoy the fact that we heard positive words from one of her doctors today.

11 comments:

♥.Trish.♥ Drumboys said...

what great news and hooray for the weight gain ...lucky you are blogging this .It might be the only time in her life a girl wants to gain weight.

Thinking of you for the next positive news.

She is so adorable now.

MrsSpock said...

That sounds like great news. Hooray for weight gain!

Beth said...

What great news! It is obvious, too, what an amazing mom you are by your blog... still nice to hear from the Dr. though!

Adam also had horrific reflux. It improved GREATLY (to the point of being able to get off meds by 9 months) once he began to eat solids on a regular basis. Hopefully it will be the same case with Miss Brooklyn! Thinking of you!

Liz said...

awesome, awesome, awesome!!!!!

Jennifer W said...

Avelyn's still on reflux meds but her spit up has almost completely disappeared since she started eating solids everyday. Good luck Brooklyn! Way to go 3%ile!

Hope said...

Great news about the weight gain! I'm so happy to hear she's gaining. You are doing such a great job. I know I've told you before, but being a first time Mom and having a medically fragile child is a HUGE obstacle, which you're overcoming so well.

I don't know what advice to give about the surgery, Ava's pulmonary doc doesn't offer it at all, in fact, he's 100% against it. He says it can cause more problems and is counter-productive. (He will only trach, no other options).... But, I know Dr Cotton offers it and he's considered the best in the country. (Cincinnati Childrens). He specializes in malacia babies and similar defects. People come from all over to see him.

Sorry to ramble, I'm glad you're starting to see that light at the end of the tunnel. Brooklyn is adorable!

Cibele said...

You are a great mom, and I am so happy with the good news. i could by the pictures that is growing...

Sarah said...

YEAH BROOKLYN!!! You knew you were doing a good job, but it SO nice to hear every once in a while. We had an appt yesterday where I got the same pat on the back from the dr. and nurses...nice to hear a positive, right!

Sam said...

woo hoo! Great job, Mommy!!! Go Brooklyn!!!

Carrie27 said...

YAY for good news!

Enjoy the mess of baby food, and hopefully she'll make an even bigger jump on the growth chart.

Kate said...

Congrats on the weight gain!!

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