Hospital Life

We are here again. We are pleased to be in the hospital for testing and observation for feeding and any other needs Caroline may need. This is a long and tedious process, but I am realizing the doctors are trying to do what is best for Caroline. We were expected to do all of this next week, but after only gaining 2.8oz. in 11 days.......there is an urgent need for attention. Carley is with Aunt Jenny and Stepehen. Nana will be here today to care for Carley the remainder of this week. Right now we are going to be here a while - they do not know what the definition of a while will mean for us. Caroline is peaceful and strong through all of her tests. I am at peace and rest because of God's love and strength he gives me through all of you. I appreciate the calls and continued prayer as we seek answers for this special baby, Please pray for complete wisdom and discernment for all the doctors involved.
Yesterday they placed Carolines IV and started fluids. we continued to feed her every three hours. She had x-rays of her spine and forearms and the results seem normal from those x-rays. They drew labs last night and sent those off and they have been returned and all blood sugars are normal as well as everything else. This is good and bad because it does not point us to eating troubles. We will see a nutritionist and genetics doctors tomorrow. Our coordinating doctor is from Scotland his name is Dr. Tynan. He is very patient and giving this a methodical approach. All of our nurses have been wonderful. We had two visitors from church today.
Cameron and I watched a movie and are enjoying our cafeteria dates together.
This am we had a modified swallow study done with a speech therapist and radiologist to determine any flow problems or sucking efforts that Caroline is having. All came back normal, but eating is more work for her than most babies. So God sent us Kyra, speech therapist with a special bottle with special nipples that we are using now and it is really helping her to not work so hard at eating. We are not concentrating on volume while we are learning what the problem could be. Currently we are doing a 24 hour test called a multichannel test that looks at many things. We are looking for apnea and breathing problems and oxygen levels and respiration levels. She is hooked to many monitors , but does not seem to mind it. She has two oxygen monitors and heart monitors. There is a machine monitoring sleep cycles and eating cycles as well as movement cycles. She has a tube down her nose to measure her own oxygen. She has another small tube down her nose and throat into her esophagus that measures acid reflux as well as reflux. We will have results back on Friday from this multichannel test. We also will have GI tests run probably on Friday. I do not anticipate being home anytime soon. I am reminded of the scripture passage in Isaiah that says, "He will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee...." We were reminded we may not have complete answers at the end of this week and that can be frustrating at times. We are taking one day at a time as well as the doctors and who to turn to next after the tests have pointed us in a new direction. Caroline will probably get a tube, but they are making her prove herself and offering different channels for her to feed and grow on her own at this time.