I maybe taking a leave of absence starting tomorrow. This all depends on my daughter's weight. I ranted yesterday about my Grumpy Day at her specialist's appointment, and as the more time passes and it sinks in even more, the more pissed off I get about the whole thing.
If you want the full story, go ahead and read on. But the bottom line is that tomorrow morning I am going to take her in for a weight check, and if she has lost weight despite our above-and-beyond efforts today, I'm going home to pack an overnight bag and driving back to the specialist that morning. I am going to demand that he admit her for testing NOW and not in two weeks. Obviously, if this happens I will be taking a leave of absence.
Today we had a marathon run and fed her 7.5oz of baby food, 5oz of baby cereal and a couple ounces of calorie-increased formula ON TOP of her regular feedings from me. That's at least 12 ounces of food that went in today. I should see at least an ounce increase, or her weight should at the very least stay consistent. We will weigh her on the same scale in the pediatrician's office, and the last time she was weighed on that scale was Friday. In 6 days time, she should have gained weight with this crazy feeding rampage we've been on. However, if she's lost weight in 6 days time despite our maniac crazy efforts, something is wrong.
When this was first "diagnosed" as a problem, we were told to increase her calories with baby food and cereal. We've been doing just that. But she has STILL lost weight. I don't know, maybe our efforts might not have been enough, but it is still an increased diet than what she had originally. Even if she doesn't gain weight, at the least she should stay consistent instead of losing weight.
And yesterday, the specialist told me to increase her diet for another 2 weeks. We've already been increasing it for 2 weeks. It hasn't worked. He did not prescribe any special formula or cereal or food. Basically, he wants us to do what we HAVE been doing for 2 weeks, as if it will magically work just because it came out of his mouth.
I have tried to be a good "patient mommy" through all of this. I have agreed and followed everything they have said, I smile and nod at their every command, and I sat there and let some stranger criticize my parenting and common sense. Well, enough is enough. If something is truly wrong with her, we cannot afford to wait 2 weeks - we've already waited 2 weeks just to see the specialist. Shoving down food down her throat for 2 weeks didn't do anything. Shoving the SAME food down her throat for another 2 weeks won't do anything either.
I do have a couple of posts scheduled, so there should be activity until Friday. Hopefully, I will not be away for that long. If this leave of absence is confirmed tomorrow, I will do my best to post a quick note before heading out the door. But if I don't, you have been forewarned that I was not abducted by aliens or died of poisonous fumes or something.
What I'm hoping will happen is that I take her in, she weighs 11lbs, and I come back and we can all have a good laugh about what a freakazoid monster I turned into. We'll see.
P.S.: Thank you so much for all of your kind words yesterday. Those of you who shared your own struggles with your children really helped me put all this in perspective. I really appreciate your concern and well-wishes...more than I can express with words.
If you want the full story, go ahead and read on. But the bottom line is that tomorrow morning I am going to take her in for a weight check, and if she has lost weight despite our above-and-beyond efforts today, I'm going home to pack an overnight bag and driving back to the specialist that morning. I am going to demand that he admit her for testing NOW and not in two weeks. Obviously, if this happens I will be taking a leave of absence.
Today we had a marathon run and fed her 7.5oz of baby food, 5oz of baby cereal and a couple ounces of calorie-increased formula ON TOP of her regular feedings from me. That's at least 12 ounces of food that went in today. I should see at least an ounce increase, or her weight should at the very least stay consistent. We will weigh her on the same scale in the pediatrician's office, and the last time she was weighed on that scale was Friday. In 6 days time, she should have gained weight with this crazy feeding rampage we've been on. However, if she's lost weight in 6 days time despite our maniac crazy efforts, something is wrong.
When this was first "diagnosed" as a problem, we were told to increase her calories with baby food and cereal. We've been doing just that. But she has STILL lost weight. I don't know, maybe our efforts might not have been enough, but it is still an increased diet than what she had originally. Even if she doesn't gain weight, at the least she should stay consistent instead of losing weight.
And yesterday, the specialist told me to increase her diet for another 2 weeks. We've already been increasing it for 2 weeks. It hasn't worked. He did not prescribe any special formula or cereal or food. Basically, he wants us to do what we HAVE been doing for 2 weeks, as if it will magically work just because it came out of his mouth.
I have tried to be a good "patient mommy" through all of this. I have agreed and followed everything they have said, I smile and nod at their every command, and I sat there and let some stranger criticize my parenting and common sense. Well, enough is enough. If something is truly wrong with her, we cannot afford to wait 2 weeks - we've already waited 2 weeks just to see the specialist. Shoving down food down her throat for 2 weeks didn't do anything. Shoving the SAME food down her throat for another 2 weeks won't do anything either.
I do have a couple of posts scheduled, so there should be activity until Friday. Hopefully, I will not be away for that long. If this leave of absence is confirmed tomorrow, I will do my best to post a quick note before heading out the door. But if I don't, you have been forewarned that I was not abducted by aliens or died of poisonous fumes or something.
What I'm hoping will happen is that I take her in, she weighs 11lbs, and I come back and we can all have a good laugh about what a freakazoid monster I turned into. We'll see.
P.S.: Thank you so much for all of your kind words yesterday. Those of you who shared your own struggles with your children really helped me put all this in perspective. I really appreciate your concern and well-wishes...more than I can express with words.
13 comments:
I'm sorry to hear that you're having troubles. I hope everything goes okay for your family. I'll be thinking about you. :)
I'm so sorry for all you are going through! I totally understand why you were so grumpy in the post below. Don't worry about leaving us for more important things. Your daughter comes first! I will pray for you and your family.
Hang in there Rita and good luck. I'll be thinking about you. You're doing a good job and you are a good mother, don't let anyone make you think otherwise, because if you weren't a good mother you wouldn't be doing all of this for your little munchkin.
Rita, I will keep my fingers crossed that you will be laughing all the way back from the doctor office. You know I have always heard that a mother's instincts are the best! If your instincts are telling you to force them to admit her-then do so. I remember when my three year old had RSV. The ER doctor wanted to send him home not breathing good at all and he was only 3 months old. I insisted he be admitted. The child was in the hospital for 7 days. Frankly as mothers I think we are allowed to run right over folks to keep our kids safe!
Your stress level must be off the charts. Nothing worries us Moms more than our babies being sick and not knowing what's wrong. I'm one of those people who love facts..give me hard, concrete facts and answers and the unknown drives me over the edge. But, I want to encourage you...as a Mom with 2 kids, 17 & 15. My 15 year old was suppose to die upon birth, due to the fact that he had no kidneys and no bladder. (Feel free to contact me if you'd like the whole story)...We prayed, gave him to God and God saw fit to heal him. He was indeed born with all of his internal organs...working. He now is a healthy 5'11", 225lb young man. I will be praying for your baby, you and your husband and your entire family..
God Bless...
I'll keep praying for you and your family.
Good luck at the docs appt.
Deana
I'm keeping you all in my prayers that everything goes well.
I like that you're not just listening to everything the doctors tell you, you're going on your instincts. Doctors don't know everything, and it would certainly help if they treated you guys like human beings.
It seems like you have a good perspective, despite the crazines of it all.
Good luck,
You and your little one are in my prayers.
Rita,
You and the baby are in my thoughts and prayers! We'll all be here when you get back.
You have every right to be upset with your doctor. Babies are not supposed to lose weight. I got in trouble with my doctor when my daughter lost weight in between nine to 12 months. She said to increase the food. I know why she lost weight my breast milk supply went down because i was pregnant with my son, but I wasn't concerned with her weight loss because she had started crawling and moving like crazy. I thought it was supposed to happen.
Praying for some weight gain. Hang in there mama.
First, I'm praying for your little one. Second, you get them! Put you off for another two weeks? I don't think so! Doctors can be so pompous and irritating!
I am not sure how old your baby is but it sounds like she is pretty little. I will be keeping you in my thoughts.
Post a Comment