Happy Thanksgiving!

Quick Clark Stats:

 20 lbs 3 oz

31.5" tall

World Prematurity Day

but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.
 Isaiah 40:31

 

Roadtrip to Nashville

 

We just got back from a trip to Nashville to visit friends.  It was a great trip and Clark traveled really well, surprisingly.  He did lose 1/2 a pound while we were there, so that is worrisome, especially considering we have his followup with the GI next week.  Please pray for him to regain that weight.

Plan P

Prayer & Pediasure

As you may know, Clark has been a milk (& any milk like substance) refuser since February. That , I believe, is *the* reason we're in the boat we're currently in. Last night, as I was chatting with my dear friend KK, I told her we were moving on to "plan C" because the tube didn't pan out. She quickly responded that her husband said "We're on plan P, more prayer and Pediasure!". I was immediately a fan of this plan.

I wanted to report that as of this moment, Clark has had 2 boxes of Pediasure today (totaling over 700 calories). Plan P (especially the prayer part) is working! Keep praying because this could be the ticket to avoiding (another) surgery for Clark. I am amazed that he is drinking it, as he has never done this before, and we have certainly tried countless times.

While we're at it, if you could please pray for him to be 20 pounds by next week, we would really appreciate it. Right now, he weighs 19lbs 2 oz & has a BMI of 14. If you know anything about BMI, you know that 17 is considered underweight. Anything lower is practically emaciated. And Clark's ribs are definitely visible.

Thank you all again & again. We couldn't do this without you & your love & prayers <3.

Tube Fail

Just a short (& disappointing) post to let everyone know that the tube didn't work.  They tried 3 times and couldn't get it down, the last time it *may* have gone down at first but then he threw it up.  After that, Jeramy and I decided we weren't cut out for holding him down & shoving a tube down his throat while he gags. So, we asked to be discharged so we could come home and at least have a comfortable night's rest in our own bed.  Finally, they did let us go.

So, we're back at home, tubeless.  We put the special formula into his bottle last night though and he did drink it while he was sleeping.  We're praying that will be the key.  The next step would be surgically installing a port in his belly to feed him through.  So--please pray that he continues with the night feeds.  Thank you all again for the prayers, we definitely need them.

Nasogastric Tubes & such...

I'm writing this blog from Dell Children's hospital in Austin....room 436.  We voluntarily admitted Clark for placement of an ng feeding tube because he hasn't gained weight in 5 months.  It was time, in other words.  Sure, he gained an ounce here & there, but next thing you know, he'd lose it again.  Just for reference, in June, he was 18 lbs 15 oz and today he was 19 lbs 2 oz. 

So, shortly a nurse will be in to show us how to place the feeding tube (it will be in one of his nostrils) and feed him via the tube.  The plan is to supplement him at night with around 400 calories of formula (Boost Kid Essentials 1.5).  During the day, he'll be free to eat as he pleases.  Recently, he's been eating really well...for a toddler.  But, not anywhere close to enough to get him caught up. 

Fingers crossed---hopefully this is the ticket to a healthy weight for Clark.  Thank you all for the prayers.