Quinn was all set and scheduled to have surgery tomorrow morning at 7:30. We were finally going to say good bye to her g-tube button. Then tonight around 7:30, she got clingy and started to run a fever. She just wanted to sleep. After an interesting trip to instacare, it was decided Quinn's surgery needed to be postponed due to a high fever, ear ache, and a sore throat.
Poor puppy is miserable. And I am bummed. Bummed she is sick. Bummed that we had to reschedule the surgery. Bummed that Alice and Sam were both exposed to Quinn's germs. I am just plain bummed right now.
Edited to add: Quinn woke up feeling better. Unfortunately, she woke up at 4:50 am. No fever. Full of energy. The antibiotics made a huge difference. I have left a message with the surgeon to reschedule. Also she weighed 9 kg last night (almost 20 lbs). Told you the my doctor's scale was off.
Showing posts with label tubie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tubie. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Friday, December 2, 2011
18 Month Check-Up
Quinn had her 18 month well child check up today. It went well. Hooray!
Highlights:
* Quinn is on the charts in height and head for an 18 month old! (Her chronological age, we usually judge her growth against her adjusted age of 15 months.)
* Quinn's weight is following the same growth pattern that it should, although her weight is still under what it "should" be.
* We are keeping her button for at least another three months to see if her weight catches up the way her height and head have, although if she makes her daily calories on her own (like she has been for the last month) we don't have to tube feed her.
* We are going to increase her daily intake, and see if we can pack on some ounces and pounds.
* Quinn is hitting developmental milestones on track.
* She was friendly and charming the whole time. Waving hello, running around, playing peak-a-boo, etc.
* Quinn tried to pick pocket the doctor (one of her many skills), and admired his watch as she reached for it saying, "watch." He warned us to keep her out of jail.
* We can return in three months to discuss feeding, and her button, but can wait for six months if we want.
* She never stopped moving.
* The doctor was impressed with her lack of colds, and how great her ears looked. (Knock on wood.)
* She got one shot, and did not even cry. She just glared at the nurse, but was happy she got an orange band aid.
Quickest and easiest doctor's appointment we have ever had with Miss Quinn. Hooray! We love our doctor, and are so happy that Q is so healthy!
Highlights:
* Quinn is on the charts in height and head for an 18 month old! (Her chronological age, we usually judge her growth against her adjusted age of 15 months.)
* Quinn's weight is following the same growth pattern that it should, although her weight is still under what it "should" be.
* We are keeping her button for at least another three months to see if her weight catches up the way her height and head have, although if she makes her daily calories on her own (like she has been for the last month) we don't have to tube feed her.
* We are going to increase her daily intake, and see if we can pack on some ounces and pounds.
* Quinn is hitting developmental milestones on track.
* She was friendly and charming the whole time. Waving hello, running around, playing peak-a-boo, etc.
* Quinn tried to pick pocket the doctor (one of her many skills), and admired his watch as she reached for it saying, "watch." He warned us to keep her out of jail.
* We can return in three months to discuss feeding, and her button, but can wait for six months if we want.
* She never stopped moving.
* The doctor was impressed with her lack of colds, and how great her ears looked. (Knock on wood.)
* She got one shot, and did not even cry. She just glared at the nurse, but was happy she got an orange band aid.
Quickest and easiest doctor's appointment we have ever had with Miss Quinn. Hooray! We love our doctor, and are so happy that Q is so healthy!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Laugh of the Day
Quinn's button has been leaking, and then slipping out of her belly. It is a pain to have it slip out, and has caused some stress as it did it at Ron and LaDene's house, and they had to call Dalan to come put it back in. At first, we weren't sure if it was leaking or it Quinn was just pulling it out. It was definitely leaking. We had a new one delivered today. It comes in a whole kit, with supplies for her Mini-One Button (G-tube buttons come in Mini's and Mic-Key's...funny, huh. But that is not the really funny part.). The kit included her new button, some extenders, a syringe, and an "introducer"...or as the packaging explained....
It is probably the fourteen year boy part of me, but I have not stopped laughing since Dalan read it to me!
It is probably the fourteen year boy part of me, but I have not stopped laughing since Dalan read it to me!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Trouble in Tube Town
Quinn has woken up three nights in a row soaking wet. And it wasn't a diaper problem. We have had Trouble with a capital T and that stands for TUBING!
Night 1:
Problem: Baby is wet in the middle of the night.
Reason: Her tubing somehow became detached from her button, therefore her machine was pumping formula all over Quinn, instead of into her belly.
Solution: Reattached the tubing. Change sheets and jammies, put baby back to bed.
Night 2:
Problem: Baby is wet in the middle of the night.
Reason: Her tubing is shaped like a fork. It has one opening for medicine, and one for her machine hook up or a bigger syringe. The part for the medicine had accidentally become opened, and therefore her machine was pumping formula all over Quinn, instead of staying in the tubing and going into her belly.
Solution: Close the opening for the medicine. Change sheets and jammies, put baby back to bed.
Night 3:
Problem: Baby is wet in the middle of the night.
Reason: This one was harder to figure out. Quinn woke up around 2:30 am, and was a little wet around her button. Her tubing was still attached, and the part for the medicine was closed. I figured her button was leaking a little bit, (they can do that) but figured it would be easier to fix in the morning. Quinn continued to wake up every twenty minutes, and was wetter and wetter each time. We finally checked her button's balloon (this is what keeps the button in her belly) around 4:00 am, and it was a 3 cc's, instead of 5. We filled it back up, and I started to rock Quinn back to sleep. At this point she had seen Dalan and thought it was time to party. So, I had to get her to calm back down. My shirt was quickly damp. We then figured out it was the tubing that a leak in it. Quinn really thought it was time to party now. Crazy baby.
Solution: Turn off her machine, change her jammies, and just put her to bed without getting her full feeding. The sheets were fine. (It was a slow leak, and had not gotten anywhere, but on Quinn and me.) I was worried, because I thought we only got two tubing attachments for her machines, and they had to last for at least nine months, because that was all the insurance would pay for, and the other one had already broken. Dalan googled them, and they only cost $15. So, we planned on calling the home/health people in the morning, and if the insurance wouldn't pay, we would just order our own. I called in the morning, and apparently, the insurance will pay for three a month. I had misunderstood. They will only pay for a new button every nine months, but since it all came in the same kit, I thought the tubing had to last too. So, we were using and reusing these semi-nasty tubes for the last three months, and we could have had new ones! Grrrr!
Here's to a dry night, so this poor girl (who is ok with her crib again) can get a good night sleep. Oh, and her mama and dad would like one too!
Night 1:
Problem: Baby is wet in the middle of the night.
Reason: Her tubing somehow became detached from her button, therefore her machine was pumping formula all over Quinn, instead of into her belly.
Solution: Reattached the tubing. Change sheets and jammies, put baby back to bed.
Night 2:
Problem: Baby is wet in the middle of the night.
Reason: Her tubing is shaped like a fork. It has one opening for medicine, and one for her machine hook up or a bigger syringe. The part for the medicine had accidentally become opened, and therefore her machine was pumping formula all over Quinn, instead of staying in the tubing and going into her belly.
Solution: Close the opening for the medicine. Change sheets and jammies, put baby back to bed.
Night 3:
Problem: Baby is wet in the middle of the night.
Reason: This one was harder to figure out. Quinn woke up around 2:30 am, and was a little wet around her button. Her tubing was still attached, and the part for the medicine was closed. I figured her button was leaking a little bit, (they can do that) but figured it would be easier to fix in the morning. Quinn continued to wake up every twenty minutes, and was wetter and wetter each time. We finally checked her button's balloon (this is what keeps the button in her belly) around 4:00 am, and it was a 3 cc's, instead of 5. We filled it back up, and I started to rock Quinn back to sleep. At this point she had seen Dalan and thought it was time to party. So, I had to get her to calm back down. My shirt was quickly damp. We then figured out it was the tubing that a leak in it. Quinn really thought it was time to party now. Crazy baby.
Solution: Turn off her machine, change her jammies, and just put her to bed without getting her full feeding. The sheets were fine. (It was a slow leak, and had not gotten anywhere, but on Quinn and me.) I was worried, because I thought we only got two tubing attachments for her machines, and they had to last for at least nine months, because that was all the insurance would pay for, and the other one had already broken. Dalan googled them, and they only cost $15. So, we planned on calling the home/health people in the morning, and if the insurance wouldn't pay, we would just order our own. I called in the morning, and apparently, the insurance will pay for three a month. I had misunderstood. They will only pay for a new button every nine months, but since it all came in the same kit, I thought the tubing had to last too. So, we were using and reusing these semi-nasty tubes for the last three months, and we could have had new ones! Grrrr!
Here's to a dry night, so this poor girl (who is ok with her crib again) can get a good night sleep. Oh, and her mama and dad would like one too!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Not at all my night
1. I have allergies or a cold. I was thinking allergies, but now I am not so sure. Either way, a runny nose is not fun. Quinn's nose is also slightly runny, but she could be teething.
2. Quinn has decided that sleeping in her crib is for suckers times 100. She used to fall asleep and stay asleep in under seven minutes. Now, it can take up to an hour to get her to sleep in the first place. And she wakes up like a feral cat. (Or wolf....Romulus, anyone?) She is all arched over on her back, bright red, and screaming. She doesn't even look like herself. We do this at least two times a night. She used to just wake up, need her binkie, and go back to sleep. She now requires a lengthy rocking session, or a cuddle session on the couch.
I guess we need to do some sleep training. However, I am hesitant to let her cry it out for a few reasons. If she moves too much her pulse-ox. monitor goes off, and I have to at least look in on her anyway. She can pull herself up on the bars on her crib, and I am afraid her hurting herself in an attempted escape. She is hooked up to two sets of wires/tubing and I don't want her pulling her g tube out/ get all tangled up. Which leads me to my next point....
3. I pulled her g tube button, balloon inflated and all, out tonight. I went to put her in her crib, got the tubing caught on her railing (because I am barely tall enough to get her in to her crib, I really have to reach to get her in there), and heard a pop. Even though I had never heard that sound before, I knew it was bad news bears. Quinn cried, but stopped immediately when I picked her back up. Leading me to believe the cry was about cribs being for suckers, not about any sort of pain. Ran down stairs, got the necessary supplies, and put her button back in as stomach milk (grossest thing ever) spurted out of the open tubing all over the place. It was awful for me. Quinn was never too bothered. Quinn then thought it was time to party, but quickly calmed down, and actually went into a deep enough sleep, that I put her successfully in her crib!
4. Quinn's monitor just alarmed like crazy. It was telling me "sensor off", even though it is clearly on. I fixed it for now. Usually, to really fix those types of malfunctions, you need to take the sensor off her foot, and reattach it or get a new one. And you always wake up the baby in doing so. And there is no way in hell I want to risk that right now. However, I will probably end up having to do it right around one am. It really is going to be one of those nights!
2. Quinn has decided that sleeping in her crib is for suckers times 100. She used to fall asleep and stay asleep in under seven minutes. Now, it can take up to an hour to get her to sleep in the first place. And she wakes up like a feral cat. (Or wolf....Romulus, anyone?) She is all arched over on her back, bright red, and screaming. She doesn't even look like herself. We do this at least two times a night. She used to just wake up, need her binkie, and go back to sleep. She now requires a lengthy rocking session, or a cuddle session on the couch.
I guess we need to do some sleep training. However, I am hesitant to let her cry it out for a few reasons. If she moves too much her pulse-ox. monitor goes off, and I have to at least look in on her anyway. She can pull herself up on the bars on her crib, and I am afraid her hurting herself in an attempted escape. She is hooked up to two sets of wires/tubing and I don't want her pulling her g tube out/ get all tangled up. Which leads me to my next point....
3. I pulled her g tube button, balloon inflated and all, out tonight. I went to put her in her crib, got the tubing caught on her railing (because I am barely tall enough to get her in to her crib, I really have to reach to get her in there), and heard a pop. Even though I had never heard that sound before, I knew it was bad news bears. Quinn cried, but stopped immediately when I picked her back up. Leading me to believe the cry was about cribs being for suckers, not about any sort of pain. Ran down stairs, got the necessary supplies, and put her button back in as stomach milk (grossest thing ever) spurted out of the open tubing all over the place. It was awful for me. Quinn was never too bothered. Quinn then thought it was time to party, but quickly calmed down, and actually went into a deep enough sleep, that I put her successfully in her crib!
4. Quinn's monitor just alarmed like crazy. It was telling me "sensor off", even though it is clearly on. I fixed it for now. Usually, to really fix those types of malfunctions, you need to take the sensor off her foot, and reattach it or get a new one. And you always wake up the baby in doing so. And there is no way in hell I want to risk that right now. However, I will probably end up having to do it right around one am. It really is going to be one of those nights!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tubie or not Tubie
Last Wednesday, we said good bye to Tubie. Quinn's incision site had healed enough to remove the Foley Catheter (Tubie) and replace it with a button. It is so much nicer. She no longer has six inches of tubing coming out of her belly that we have to tape down. Just a simple button that is easily disguised under clothing. It works like a snap. We open it, attach some tubing, feed her, and then detach the tubing, and close her button. It also means we can go back to regular baths, inside of glorified sponge baths!
Quinn had so much fun waiting for the doctor. She crawled on the crinkly paper. She moved her hand like a bull before taking off the crawl. She looked in the mirror. She checked out the dinosaurs on the wall. She peed through her diaper. Then the doctor made the switch. It is a simple procedure that took three minutes. But, Quinn hated it. She screamed for 30-45 minutes straight after, and this kid almost never screams. Poor baby. It must have hurt more than we anticipated. However, she bounced back pretty quickly after that, and it has not bothered her since.
(Then...tubie)
(Now....Button, button, Who's got the button?)
Quinn had so much fun waiting for the doctor. She crawled on the crinkly paper. She moved her hand like a bull before taking off the crawl. She looked in the mirror. She checked out the dinosaurs on the wall. She peed through her diaper. Then the doctor made the switch. It is a simple procedure that took three minutes. But, Quinn hated it. She screamed for 30-45 minutes straight after, and this kid almost never screams. Poor baby. It must have hurt more than we anticipated. However, she bounced back pretty quickly after that, and it has not bothered her since.
(Then...tubie)
(Now....Button, button, Who's got the button?)Monday, April 11, 2011
A list
1. Tubie is giving us some trouble. The skin around the tube keeps trying to grow out from around the tube. We have had it "burned" off twice (like a wart), but it keeps coming back. I am going to have to call and schedule an appointment with the surgeon to have it cut off. Yuck!
2. Quinn is crawling. all. over. the. place. First, she crawled for socks. Then she crawled for other items. Then my mom bought her this musical aquarium thing at the consignment sale, and she really crawled for it. And then she was unstoppable.
3. Quinn is trying to pull herself up on all the furniture, but she is too short. Poor shorty.
4. I bought 20 items for $34.00 at the consignment sale, including a pair of $40 shoes for $1.00! Score. I had a blast with Ali, Patti, Kellie, Raegan, Scott, and Sierra.
5. Quinn also has some sort of rash. Grrrr! I hate dealing with doctors more than necessary. Or really at all. The less we see doctors the happier I am!
6. Quinn went a week without oxygen. So, I took off her dots. She needed her oxygen last night. Of course. We are getting close.
7. I am so mad about the measles outbreak in SLC. "Childhood" diseases are dangerous, and it just irks me to no end when people don't immunize their kids, and put babies and the elderly at risk.
...no picture here....
8. Our fund-raising for the March for Babies is going really well. We have raised 20% of our goal! Keep those donations coming, or come walk with us. It is for premature babies after all. My class is trying to raise 100 dimes for the walk. They are so excited about it!
9. Quinn is sleeping on my arm. I want to put her down, so I can keep typing, but she will probably wake up, and then I won't be able to finish at all.
10. Bottle feeding is going no better. Solids are going well. We are working on the sippy cup.
2. Quinn is crawling. all. over. the. place. First, she crawled for socks. Then she crawled for other items. Then my mom bought her this musical aquarium thing at the consignment sale, and she really crawled for it. And then she was unstoppable.
3. Quinn is trying to pull herself up on all the furniture, but she is too short. Poor shorty.
4. I bought 20 items for $34.00 at the consignment sale, including a pair of $40 shoes for $1.00! Score. I had a blast with Ali, Patti, Kellie, Raegan, Scott, and Sierra.
5. Quinn also has some sort of rash. Grrrr! I hate dealing with doctors more than necessary. Or really at all. The less we see doctors the happier I am!
6. Quinn went a week without oxygen. So, I took off her dots. She needed her oxygen last night. Of course. We are getting close.
7. I am so mad about the measles outbreak in SLC. "Childhood" diseases are dangerous, and it just irks me to no end when people don't immunize their kids, and put babies and the elderly at risk.
...no picture here....
8. Our fund-raising for the March for Babies is going really well. We have raised 20% of our goal! Keep those donations coming, or come walk with us. It is for premature babies after all. My class is trying to raise 100 dimes for the walk. They are so excited about it!
9. Quinn is sleeping on my arm. I want to put her down, so I can keep typing, but she will probably wake up, and then I won't be able to finish at all.
10. Bottle feeding is going no better. Solids are going well. We are working on the sippy cup.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Consignment Sale 2011
A few weeks ago, I wrote about a sale at Carter's and wondered what size of clothes I should buy Quinn for summer. Well, I skipped the sale and bought nothing. I decided four things. 1. Quinn has a ton of clothes already. 2. Several people offered to let me borrow their outgrown clothes. 3. I remembered the Hilltop Consignment sale was coming up. 4. I needed to wait and see if Tubie helps with Quinn's weight gain before I buy clothes in one size or another.
Hilltop Methodist Church has a consignment sale on baby clothes and equipment twice a year. Last year, my mom, Ali, and I went right after I found out that Quinn was a she. We got lots of clothes, and even found a bouncy/vibrating seat for $3. However, I only bought one newborn sized item. At that point, I was SURE I would have a ten pound baby. (And I eventually did...she was just 7 months old by the time that happened...ha!) In the fall, Ali and my mom went for me, and got a ton more cute and super nice clothes for a bargain. We are going again this Friday afternoon/evening to get Quinn's summer clothes. When the items are only costing a dollar or two, I won't feel so bad buying things in a possibly too big of size. Plus, tubie is doing it's job, and it looks very likely she'll be wearing 6-9 months this summer.
Here are some of things bought there.
The chair...
Some jammies....
You get the idea! Plus, I just realized I can't really remember what clothes came from where. They are really that nice. I don't know which clothes were brand new, and which ones were slightly used.
Please come join us if you are interested! Email me for the time, and address.
Hilltop Methodist Church has a consignment sale on baby clothes and equipment twice a year. Last year, my mom, Ali, and I went right after I found out that Quinn was a she. We got lots of clothes, and even found a bouncy/vibrating seat for $3. However, I only bought one newborn sized item. At that point, I was SURE I would have a ten pound baby. (And I eventually did...she was just 7 months old by the time that happened...ha!) In the fall, Ali and my mom went for me, and got a ton more cute and super nice clothes for a bargain. We are going again this Friday afternoon/evening to get Quinn's summer clothes. When the items are only costing a dollar or two, I won't feel so bad buying things in a possibly too big of size. Plus, tubie is doing it's job, and it looks very likely she'll be wearing 6-9 months this summer.
Here are some of things bought there.
The chair...
Some jammies....
You get the idea! Plus, I just realized I can't really remember what clothes came from where. They are really that nice. I don't know which clothes were brand new, and which ones were slightly used.
Please come join us if you are interested! Email me for the time, and address.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Seven Months (Adjusted)
Seven Month Stats
(Quinn's adjusted age from her due date.)
Weight: 13 lbs, 10 ounces (less than 3 percentile)
Height: 26 inches (26 percentile)
Good news: Quinn gained nine ounces in two weeks. She only gained about five ounces between the middle of February and the middle of March. It looks like tubie is doing its job. I hope it keeps up. It would be amazing if we could get Quinn back on the charts, and off the formula fortified with extra calories.
More good news: Ali came over and did a developmental assessment on Quinn for her pediatric nursing class, and Quinn scored completely in line with an average seven month old. Way to go Quinners!
Height: 26 inches (26 percentile)
Good news: Quinn gained nine ounces in two weeks. She only gained about five ounces between the middle of February and the middle of March. It looks like tubie is doing its job. I hope it keeps up. It would be amazing if we could get Quinn back on the charts, and off the formula fortified with extra calories.
More good news: Ali came over and did a developmental assessment on Quinn for her pediatric nursing class, and Quinn scored completely in line with an average seven month old. Way to go Quinners!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Online Shopping
Ever since our family was put on house arrest, (i.e. having a baby who needs to avoid children and crowds through the cold and flu season) I have become quite skilled at online shopping. Plus, I have Amazon Prime, so I get free two day shipping and no sales tax! I am a little addicted right now. I am guessing it will stop once I can leave the house with my babe, and the weather is nice, but right now it a bit a necessity, and a bit of a new favorite activity. My mom calls the UPS man my gentlemen caller, and my in laws are used to sometimes multiple packages being delivered when they are here with Quinn. I have quite the reputation among our families.
Anyway, Carter's (one of my favorites) has all their clothing priced at 50% off this weekend, plus an additional 20% off when you spend $50. Plus flat rate shipping. I want to get Quinn some summer clothes. She currently weighs 13 1/2 to 14 pounds, which puts her in the low to middle range for size 3-6 months clothes. Her weight gain has been very slow since January. However, tubie should speed things up in the weight gaining area, and summer is still 2 1/2 months away. I also have far less 6-9 months clothes than I do 3-6 month clothes. So, I am stuck. I don't want to buy clothes that will be too small, and I don't want to buy clothes that will be too big while the weather is nice. Basically I am asking, what size would you buy?
On a side note, they have all these cute first birthday shirts and outfits, that only come in 12 months and higher. I mean, I guess it is not normal for your baby to be wearing 3-6 months when she turns a year, but I can't be the only one!!!!!
Anyway, Carter's (one of my favorites) has all their clothing priced at 50% off this weekend, plus an additional 20% off when you spend $50. Plus flat rate shipping. I want to get Quinn some summer clothes. She currently weighs 13 1/2 to 14 pounds, which puts her in the low to middle range for size 3-6 months clothes. Her weight gain has been very slow since January. However, tubie should speed things up in the weight gaining area, and summer is still 2 1/2 months away. I also have far less 6-9 months clothes than I do 3-6 month clothes. So, I am stuck. I don't want to buy clothes that will be too small, and I don't want to buy clothes that will be too big while the weather is nice. Basically I am asking, what size would you buy?
On a side note, they have all these cute first birthday shirts and outfits, that only come in 12 months and higher. I mean, I guess it is not normal for your baby to be wearing 3-6 months when she turns a year, but I can't be the only one!!!!!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
We're home!!!!!!!!!!!
We're home! We got home around 7:00 pm last night, after a long, boring day. But I am grateful it was so uneventful, and everything went smoothly as it should, so we could get discharged.
Highlights:
1. Awesome nurses who listened and advocated for Quinn (and us.) At one point a doctor wanted us to practice feeding Quinn bolus style (gravity) during the day, and then stay another night to see if Quinn tolerated a continuous pump feeding. I was like no way. We have been doing bolus style feeding with her other tube for months, we do not need a day of practice of that. Luckily, the doctor listened to us, and the nurses got that we are pretty medical savvy parents, and let us take control of her oxygen needs.
2. The surgery was easy and Quinn was never in too much pain. We were able to manage her pain for the most part with Tylenol and Motrin, and was close to being back to her normal self within 24 hours of the surgery. She rolled about 48 hours after surgery, and seemed ok on her belly. She is obviously still sore, but I think she is going to bounce back quite quickly.
3. Quinn slept for eight straight hours last night! It was glorious. Around 4:00 am (or was it 5:00 am...darn Day Light Savings), she got fussy, and I ended up sleeping with her on the couch on her room for a couple of hours, but that is actually pretty normal Quinn sleeping behavior. I think having her on her feeding pump through the night is going to be very nice.
4. Her tube is not as bad as I thought it was going to be. It is usually hidden under her clothes, and so she has not really grabbed or pulled at it, like she did with the one in her nose. I hope we can make it through the healing period (six to eight weeks) without her pulling it out, and then it will be smooth sailing.
5. Under to new plan, she is already getting two more ounces of food a day, with (hopefully) room to add more as needed. I hope she is going to pack on some grams.
6. She took an ounce of apple juice orally this morning. Hooray! I was a little worried that after 48 hours without a bottle, she would refuse, since she pretty much hates them anyway. We'll see if she'll take some formula tomorrow.
7. Her face is tube free, although we traded a little tube in her face, for a much bigger one in her belly. Now, if we could just get rid of the dots, Quinn's beautiful face will be free of extra accessories!
8. We got new roommates, and I totally "knew" them from reading their blog. Small and crazy e-world. We totally lucked out with our second set of roommates.
9. Our NICU experience totally prepared us for this hospital stay. While I was nervous about the surgery, I felt confident in navigating the hospital setting, and was prepared for all the wackiness that can happen when you are the mercy of others for your child's care.
10. A baby that is at 80% two days after surgery.
Low-lights:
1. Sleeping at the hospital. It sucked, and was uncomfortable. One of us would sit in the rocking chair with Quinners for as long as we could stand before our whole lower body was numb, while the other would sleep (and I use that term loosely) on the pull out cot. I did get to watch some old episodes of 90210 while I was doing my time in the rocking chair.
2. No DVD player in our room. We had planned on just chilling and watching Arrested Development during our stay, but no dice. We only had a VCR, and limited channels for our viewing pleasure on the TV. Thank goodness for smart phones and laptops.
3. Slow delivery drivers. We were discharged at 5:40 pm, and waited almost an hour for our medical supplies for Quinn to be delivered. I was one ornery and impatient mama by this point. I just wanted out of the hospital.
4. I realized how spoiled we were at IMC. It is new. We had a private room. We had one on one, or one on two nursing. Up at PCMC, not so much. Although, we had top notch care at both places, so I can't really complain.
5. Hospital cafeteria food. No decent showers. Bad cell service.
BUT, we are home!!!!
Now for the pictures....
Hospital, day 2.....
(Tubie)
Home, Day 3....
P.S. Happy Birthday to my mom! Love you!
Highlights:
1. Awesome nurses who listened and advocated for Quinn (and us.) At one point a doctor wanted us to practice feeding Quinn bolus style (gravity) during the day, and then stay another night to see if Quinn tolerated a continuous pump feeding. I was like no way. We have been doing bolus style feeding with her other tube for months, we do not need a day of practice of that. Luckily, the doctor listened to us, and the nurses got that we are pretty medical savvy parents, and let us take control of her oxygen needs.
2. The surgery was easy and Quinn was never in too much pain. We were able to manage her pain for the most part with Tylenol and Motrin, and was close to being back to her normal self within 24 hours of the surgery. She rolled about 48 hours after surgery, and seemed ok on her belly. She is obviously still sore, but I think she is going to bounce back quite quickly.
3. Quinn slept for eight straight hours last night! It was glorious. Around 4:00 am (or was it 5:00 am...darn Day Light Savings), she got fussy, and I ended up sleeping with her on the couch on her room for a couple of hours, but that is actually pretty normal Quinn sleeping behavior. I think having her on her feeding pump through the night is going to be very nice.
4. Her tube is not as bad as I thought it was going to be. It is usually hidden under her clothes, and so she has not really grabbed or pulled at it, like she did with the one in her nose. I hope we can make it through the healing period (six to eight weeks) without her pulling it out, and then it will be smooth sailing.
5. Under to new plan, she is already getting two more ounces of food a day, with (hopefully) room to add more as needed. I hope she is going to pack on some grams.
6. She took an ounce of apple juice orally this morning. Hooray! I was a little worried that after 48 hours without a bottle, she would refuse, since she pretty much hates them anyway. We'll see if she'll take some formula tomorrow.
7. Her face is tube free, although we traded a little tube in her face, for a much bigger one in her belly. Now, if we could just get rid of the dots, Quinn's beautiful face will be free of extra accessories!
8. We got new roommates, and I totally "knew" them from reading their blog. Small and crazy e-world. We totally lucked out with our second set of roommates.
9. Our NICU experience totally prepared us for this hospital stay. While I was nervous about the surgery, I felt confident in navigating the hospital setting, and was prepared for all the wackiness that can happen when you are the mercy of others for your child's care.
10. A baby that is at 80% two days after surgery.
Low-lights:
1. Sleeping at the hospital. It sucked, and was uncomfortable. One of us would sit in the rocking chair with Quinners for as long as we could stand before our whole lower body was numb, while the other would sleep (and I use that term loosely) on the pull out cot. I did get to watch some old episodes of 90210 while I was doing my time in the rocking chair.
2. No DVD player in our room. We had planned on just chilling and watching Arrested Development during our stay, but no dice. We only had a VCR, and limited channels for our viewing pleasure on the TV. Thank goodness for smart phones and laptops.
3. Slow delivery drivers. We were discharged at 5:40 pm, and waited almost an hour for our medical supplies for Quinn to be delivered. I was one ornery and impatient mama by this point. I just wanted out of the hospital.
4. I realized how spoiled we were at IMC. It is new. We had a private room. We had one on one, or one on two nursing. Up at PCMC, not so much. Although, we had top notch care at both places, so I can't really complain.
5. Hospital cafeteria food. No decent showers. Bad cell service.
BUT, we are home!!!!
Now for the pictures....
Hospital, day 2.....
(Tubie)
Home, Day 3....
P.S. Happy Birthday to my mom! Love you!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
A snapshot
This is what we have been doing a lot of for the last twenty four hours. Sleeping for short periods of time in awkward positions. Quinn is getting the most sleep, while Dalan and I are in a distant (far distant) tie for last place. Quinn is doing remarkably well, and went the entire night without even needing Tylenol. (She has needed some today as she has been more active, and we had to change the dressing on her wound. It is still so tender and sore.)
Word on the street is we will be going home sometime this evening. Quinn needs to show she can tolerate getting food continuously pumped into her belly up to a certain milliliter. We are on hour three and half of ten, I think. So, far so good. Let's hope the next 2/3's go as smoothly.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Surgery
Quinn's surgery went well. She was wild and crazy up until the minute they took her into surgery. She crawled on the crinkly paper, and was happy and playful. Her hospital jammies were the smallest size, but comically large. And I put the shirt on backward.
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The actual surgery was only 20 minutes long, and she was only away from us for an hour. We will be up here for about a day. She will be on IV fluids through today, and start oral feeding/g-tube feedings tomorrow. She is grumpy, uncomfortable, and tired, but overall doing well. Her tube in her belly looks ok, and the stick arm has returned! She has played with her new balloon, and also played pat-a-cake. We have a shared room. We had roommates when we got here. They were scary, and mean. But they moved them to a private room. I hope we stay solo for the next twenty four hours!
I have two videos, but I can't get them to upload. That will have to be another post.
Thanks for all the kind email, calls, and texts. We'll keep you up to date! LOVES!
.
The actual surgery was only 20 minutes long, and she was only away from us for an hour. We will be up here for about a day. She will be on IV fluids through today, and start oral feeding/g-tube feedings tomorrow. She is grumpy, uncomfortable, and tired, but overall doing well. Her tube in her belly looks ok, and the stick arm has returned! She has played with her new balloon, and also played pat-a-cake. We have a shared room. We had roommates when we got here. They were scary, and mean. But they moved them to a private room. I hope we stay solo for the next twenty four hours!
I have two videos, but I can't get them to upload. That will have to be another post.
Thanks for all the kind email, calls, and texts. We'll keep you up to date! LOVES!
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