June 4th - Mammas Don't Mess Around

So Friday I teach 5th grade, walk them down because their teacher is in a meeting and is running late, and then I stroll down to the art room to chat it up with my friend Stacey. Stace is the one who has 14 month old twins, and she's always good for some child-related sympathy and advice. Cause Maddie's shown no improvement, and on Thursday I up and decided that we were seeing a Pediatric Gastro (tummy dr.), darn it. And the earliest appointment I could get anywhere was July 19th. Wah.

Stacey's not there, but her sub, Kathy, who I'm friendly with, is. We talk for a while, school, summer, the kids, and she mentions that her daughter just had surgery at CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - top kid's hospital in the nation and a place I'd LOVE to get Maddie into...except their scheduling department never even called me back. That place is impossible to get into.) I mention this annoying fact, and that we're now waiting till July 19th for another practice's Pedi GI, and her eyes light up.

Out comes her cell and she calls her hubby - the manager of nurses at CHOP! A few phone calls, and a few hours later, and we have an appointment with one of the top Pediatric Gastro's in the country - for TODAY. Kathy & hubby will be getting a gift from us ASAP. This is a big, big, favor, and I'm beyond grateful.

SO needless to say I called in sick today, and we've got a 12:15. I spent the weekend typing up her feeding & medical history, a record of how and what she's eaten for the last 5 days, and a big list of things to ask the doctor. Let's play 20 questions, doc. I'm going to be that doctor's worst nightmare.

Tonight is our handbell BBQ...such lovely weather, THANKS, tropical depression Barry.
And I'll keep all posted about her appointment. I want SOMETHING to change. Or some advice to make things better. Here are my questions:

1. Maddie seems to have an aversion to things associated w/ eating (holding position, bottle, even the chair in her room where we usually fed her before). Will this go away on its own when her tummy feels better or will we have to ‘fix’ it?

2. If so, how?

3. Should we give up on bottles and concentrate on sippy cups?

4. If so, do you know which one is easiest to learn to suck on?

5. Is her tight-sounding coughing and occasional congestion related to the reflux, or is it another issue?

6. Does formula make a difference in reflux? (no known allergies, currently trying Enfamil Gentlease equivalent)

7. If so, what formula do you recommend she be on, and for how long?

8. Would you recommend any testing? pH Probe? (smell coming from her mouth, we think it’s acidy smelling)

9. If so, what would that test entail?

10. How many ounces of formula a day do you recommend as the minimum for good growth of an active infant?

11. To what end do we go to get there? (Force feeding really necessary?)

12. How much cereal is ok in one day, understanding that we’re only giving her as much as we are to get ounces in her?

13. We understand that solids are only for practice at this point, but since she takes them like a pro, will they count towards her nutritional needs?

14. Are the doses she’s on of Zantac (1.2 mltwice daily) and Prevacid (7.5 mg once daily) good?

15. Who will change them as she improves or grows? (You or regular pediatrician?)

16. Prevacid: are we doing it right? (½ of the little orange bubbles?)

17. What timing do you recommend for her medications?

18. When should she stop taking the Zantac (or should she stop at all?)

19. Can we give her Mylanta if she seems particularly bad?

20. When should we see improvement (Normal = she’ll eat willingly and eat a normal amount for a 6 month old)?

21. If things don't improve, what should we do? (Follow up appointment?)

oops, 21 questions. Sorry, doc.

Wishin' and hopin' and prayin' for a good appointment and a major improvement ASAP...no, I'm not impatient, we've been doing this for months. Enough is enough.
Mammas don't mess around when their babies are hurting.