Primary Children's Hospital

Okay, Christmas was great! It was fun meeting Jabani and seeing all of my brothers and Maria! Even though the visit was too short! Hopefully we can all meet up again soon in Santa Cruz for the wedding in the summer! Anyways, I still can't find the camera cord, so another boring post.
Here is what has happened since Christmas...
Last Thursday, I took Haley into her new doctor to meet them, and to have her 1 month appointment. Well, they weighed her, and she weighed 7 lbs. 0 oz. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz. when she was born, so it was a little concerning...the doctor sent us up to Primary Children's Hospital for some tests. I dropped the kids off at my mom's (Thank heaven's for that!) and headed up. I tried calling Troy's cell phone, but he didn't answer. I left a message and called Erin and had her email Troy at work. I still couldn't get ahold of him. (Later, he sent an email to the people at work "suggesting" that there be a way for spouses to get ahold of people in case of an emergency!) I got to the hospital and they took us right in. I called Troy's mom, and had her keep trying to call Troy (my cell didn't have any service in her hospital room). It took over 2 hours to finally get ahold of Troy. (I was worried about getting ahold of him, because I was told there was a good chance Haley would have to have surgery that day!)

Haley had a million tests done. Almost anything in radiology, was done. An upper GI test- drinking berillium (I think that's the name) and then watching what the food did, a CT scan, an ultrasound, and more x-rays. The findings: nothing anatomically wrong that would cause this. So, they admitted us. The doctors told us we would be there at least for 2 days, until she could gain about 1/2 an ounce a day - although they would have preferred 1 oz. a day. So, I stayed in the hospital with her and nursed. They didn't think I was producing enough milk, so in came the lactation specialists. (Wish I had Lynn around!) They got me started on a breast pump. Let me tell you, pumps suck. (Figuratively, and literally!) I hate it! I was so stressed out feeling like it was my fault, cause I didn't produce enough milk, trying to pump, and being in the hospital, that Haley's doctor thought it would be best to send us home. He said he could monitor her from home almost as good as at the hospital.

So, I had to start keeping a log. I had to pump at least 8 times a day, give Haley at least 4 oz. of milk every 4 hours, (yes, I did formula too) and watch her diapers. We came home late Saturday afternoon. I did awesome! We logged everything, and I pumped...till the cows came home (hmmm...not meant to be a pun...but when you're hooked up to a breast pump, that's kinda how it feels) and we gave her all this reflux medicine. She seemed to be doing okay, until yesterday. She started vomitting constantly, and afterwards, she would be starving! We kept making little bottles, and she would gulp them up, and gradually puke it all up again. (Remember, nothing anatomically wrong - and now we know she's getting enough food)

So, we took her back to her doctors office this morning, to check her weight! I was feeling hopeful...well, she now weighs 7 lbs. and 1/2 an ounce. So, since last Thursday, she's only gained 1/2 an ounce and she's actually lost weight since we left the hospital. SO FRUSTRATED! So, the doctor gave us some hypoallergenic formula to try. Said she may not be able to process milk proteins (he said it was something other than being lactose intolerant). So, we have to try that for 3 days (while I continue to pump) and then if that fixes it, I can continue to nurse, I just have to go off of dairy. If it doesn't fix it, I have no idea what the next step is. At some point, I would think they would have to give her a feeding tube...I mean, come on, she's 5 weeks old, and under her birth weight(normal babies should gain at least 1/2 oz a day, so by my calculations she should weigh at least...8 lbs. 3 oz. I am so frustrated!

Anyways, trying to be hopeful that this formula works! We'll deal with whatever happens next on Friday. So, this formula is CRAPPY! It stinks, and tastes bad. Haley doesn't even like to drink it, and sobs while she's drinking it. Since she is so pukey, it is really crappy, cause then the stink gets on us and everything! That's my life lately. I wonder if I'll ever get unpacked? In order to do so, I have to stay up late, and now I have to make bottles and pump in the middle of the night, so when do I sleep?

Anyways, we may have to have a special fast for her...I'll keep you posted if anyone would like to fast with us! Hope everyone is having a happy New Year! I have pics of Haley in the hospital (my camera was in my purse from Christmas!) and of Christmas. I'll post them whenever I can find the cord...hmmm...where is that thing?