Almost afraid to say it...

The last two days have been so nice - Keira is smiling, cooing and seeming so comfortable in every way. I feel like we've been here before - happy to see her coming around, and then things regress...so I'm a bit nervous to believe this is real. Dr. Brand said he was hoping that she'd make a turn over the weekend, and show consistent improvements. So far so good - keep your fingers crossed that this continues!! I'm still taking her to the chiropractic apt. tomorrow - Billy and I just feel that we need to do everything we can for her, for our whole family -
We'll let you know how it goes...keep those prayers and good thoughts coming our way. Enjoy the pictures!

update...

Today will be the 4th day on Prevacid - inconsistent behavior and improvements from her. A few smiles yesterday - but also a terrible screaming/pain/swallowing fit last evening. Hoping that it will begin to really kick in and she'll improve. Calling Dr. Brand to talk with him as he asked, today - and will be taking Keira for her first 'adjustment' Monday afternoon. This is a very difficult time for us - as those of you have have seen/heard in our conversations. Please keep us in your prayers - for Keira to be healthy - for the medicine to work - for our house to settle - and for peaceful days. Thank you again for all of your support. One last note, please know we appreciate all of your calls. Quinn tends to act up when I/Billy get on the phone, and with very few calm moments - we just don't always have the time to answer the phone or get back to you. Thank you for understanding.
xoxo genine

still hoping...

Just a quick note - Keira gained 5 oz over the last 8 days - a little below average; but still ok. (they like to see an oz./day). This small weight gain doesn't allow the Dr. to do any med. adjustments - and since she began showing symptoms again - he said that means it's not the right med. for her. She's now been put on Previcid...(sp??) instead of the Prilosec. The reason they don't start with that is because it can not be adjusted based off their weight. She takes a 15mg tablet dissolved in water 1/day. Still on the Reglan to move the milk out of her tummy and into her intestines. Again, Dr. Brand was very sympathetic, and shared more of his struggles with his own daughter. She too ended up on Previcid - and was off all med's by 7 months. He's confident that this will work for Keira - but did need to remind me that if we don't get results - more testing would be needed to look closer at the functioning of her sphynkter ( sorry I have NO idea how to spell that and can't be bothered to look it up...) muscle - that can sometimes lead to a decision for surgery. Even though he said he doesn't believe we'll need to go that route...still very disturbing to hear. He also confirmed that this resurfacing of symptoms does happen in some kids as they grow. Again, not really what I was hoping for. So - we'll see how it goes. In the meantime I'm taking Keira to see a Pediatric Chiropractor. Too long of a story to get into the specifics, but they 'll take a look at her to see if there seems to be a problem with her nervous system delivering the right messages to the body. They can do fingertip - gentle adjustments - and had some wonderful success stories to share. Sometimes even the trauma of birth can put them out of allignment just a bit to throw off other things. They see babies as young as days old. I know it won't hurt - and it may or may not help - the chance that it could is worth it. We just want her well and happy. Her apt. for that is today @ 2:20 - we'll be in touch when we can. Think you can access info. on this type of treatment at chiro4kids.com
xoxox genine

Keira 6 wks.

Keira news & Quinn's BAD day...

Keira's Dr. did not call yesterday. I did call the office to check the status of the radiologist report and was told Albany Med. had not sent it yet. So - hoping to hear from him Monday. We'll keep you posted...

Quinn has definatly entered the terrible two stage - some days are just tougher for him than others... Thought you'd get a kick out of the FACE OF THE DAY...
xoxo genine, billy, quinn & Keira

Good news so far...

Upper GI test went well today. Keira didn't mind her legs being strapped down, but when they raised her arms over her head and secured them...the crying began. I felt the tears in my eyes, and just kept telling myself it was important to get some definite answers. ( they only let one of us in with her - so I went) She drank the barium without too much difficulty - and they were able to get the pictures they needed in about 15 minutes. The two tech's who did the test were very nice, and the female very nurturing and consoling to Keira. No reflux was seen - but as Dr. Brand and the tech's said - just because it's not seen during the test, doesn't mean it isn't a problem for her. In some ways, it's encouraging that she didn't have an episode, since she's been on the prilosec for 3 days. To me that indicates that her acid levels are down, and things are working. I did see the radiologist briefly, and she indicated that no reflux was seen and that Keira's anatomy is fine...wonderful words to hear. She'll be sending over a full report to Dr. Brand and he is suppose to call us to discuss it tomorrow morning. Overall Keira is seeming more and more settled, sleeping better - and even nursed well on me twice. Yes, I'm breaking the rules. I miss that closeness with her, and my intuition tells me it's ok...I thought I'd try and if she cried or pulled off upset, then of course I would stop. Both feedings went wonderfully. Pumping...well no nice way to say it - SUCKS! And my breasts are not feeling very good - so I'm planning on talking to him about at least a 50/50 - breast/bottle tomorrow. She has a scheduled apt. on Fri. - not sure if he'll want to see her sooner - especially for a weight check. For all of your thoughts and for those of you we've talked with - THANK YOU! Really hoping this was the last bump in the road - we'll let you know what Dr. Brand says tomorrow. One last item - to my family in Rochester - I can't tell you how sad I am to not be able to be at Christine and Mike's reception. I know people understand, especially Chris - but as her and I talked - it still feels awful. Chrisine has always been my "big sister" - someone I idolized growing up ... and still look up to. I was so looking forward to celebrating her wonderful marriage to Mike with her. Thank you again Chris for being so understanding and supportive of us at this time. I love you ...

GI test

Tomorrow @ 8 Keira is going to have an upper GI test to look at her anatomy and to check for reflux. At our last Dr. visit - Dr. Brand gave us the referral and advised that I call since it can take up to a month to get an apt. - The thought was in case we needed it, it would be scheduled. When I called today, they had a cancellation and slotted Keira for it. Her Dr. feels it's a good idea - just to confirm that we're on the right track and treat her with the proper med's. He said it may even show the degree of esophogus irritation/ulcers - which will give us a better indication as to how long it may take for her throat to heal. She can't eat for 3 hrs. prior to the test - will drink the barium solution once we get there, and then they will do an x-ray (like a chest x-ray) to see what's going on. About an hour test. We may see the radiologist tomorrow if they're available - but it's more likely that they will fax a report to Dr. Brand later in the day, and we will have a report from him by Sat. afternoon. He also told me that it would take 3-5 doses of the prilosec for it to really take effect. She's had 3 and is getting her 4th this evening. The lag in the prilosec taking effect, and the Tagamet wearing off has set her back a bit. Hearing the swallowing again, and she isn't eating or sleeping as well. I still have to pump and bottle feed her - quite demanding ; especially with trying to take care of the two of them. Still hopeful that this will be short lived, her throat will heal, her appetite will increase and we will be back to breastfeeding in the very near future. We'll pass more info. as it becomes avail. to us. Keep her in your prayers.

Keep your fingers crossed...

Hi everyone - Well as most of you know we've been on quite a rollercoater ride - and a nightmare of one at that. Newest info. on Keira - she wasn't feeding well, we went back in to see her Dr. and she hadn't put on any weight since her last apt. (3 days). Infants should gain about 1 oz./day - and with her reflux, this isn't really what he was hoping to see. So - she's going off of the Tagamet and onto Prilosec. Prilosec is not FDA approved for children under the yr. of 1 - but it is stronger. Dr. Brand assured me he wouldn't put her on it if he thought there were any risks - and he had put his own daughter on it when she too didn't find relief from Tagamet. According to him, there just isn't enough of a research base on Prilosec in young children for the FDA to approve it. He also has me pumping my milk, adding 1/2 tsp./oz. of rice cereal to it, and bottle feeding. The rice will weigh the milk down a bit(in hope that it helps to keep it from coming up), and the bottle feeding will allow us to keep track of what her intake is. Bought a few new bottles/nipples today - think we've finally found the right combo for her. Hoping this is short lived, and we'll get her back to nursing once the acid is under control. The bottle feeding caught me a bit off guard - ok a lot off guard - but I understand the importance of feeding her this way - just really hoping that we won't need to do it for very long, the Prilosec works, and she switches back to breastfeeding easily. The Dr. is very supportive of breastfeeding and wants the same. We should see improvements in a few days, and if all goes well her throat will heal in about a week. Again, I ask you to send wishes for good health and prayers our way. We're so looking forward to Keira feeling well and her throat healing. It'll also be nice to hear Quinn report things about Keira other than "Keira crying"... Love to you all...

new med's for Keira...

Just a quick update - Dr. apt. went very well today. He confirmed "acid reflux" and increased her one script for Tagament (almost quadrupled the dose; he said the dose orig. given was the minimal dose for her weight) - and also put her on a second med. to get her digestion going; contracts her tummy- it'll help the milk get into the intestines rather than sit in her stomach and come back up. He was wonderful - great bedside manner and very knowledgeable. He has 2 girls - the youngest around Quinn's age and she suffered from the same thing. We should see a notable difference throughout the weekend, and will check in with him Mon.. It's quite common to see this in infants, and there are no long term affects/damage. She also should outgrow it within her first year. All very encouraging!! Soooo - once again we have hope of better days in our near future, and for our daughter to feel well again. Speaking of being well...Quinn had another bout of vomiting and diarrhea again last night..."Ama Kathy" was here with the intension of helping us with Keira - little did she know she'd be getting a shirt full of vomit from Quinn! "INSANITY" - as Billy calls it...It can only get better right????!!!??? By the way you are able to comment back to us directly through the blog. I know some of you have been emailing our hotmail addresses - whatever is easiest... Send good health and sleepy prayers our way!!

health update...

I feel like a yo-yo... After thinking things were going well - it has all gone haywire again...Keira is back to her crying and I can actually hear her swallowing, and milk coming back up in her throat. I'd been wanting to change ped's - and decided this is the time to do it. The office I was at had ...6 Dr.'s - and although you can designate your primary and request, I never seemed to be able to see who I wanted. So, rather than go back and see a 3rd Dr. - I've switched offices. A very good friend of mine recommended him - He's listed in a group practice, but is the only Pediatric Dr. - so if you're his patient - you see him. No more being pushed to who ever is available. I so loved that about my Dr.'s growing up - and especially Dr. Potter as my adult Dr. - hope this man and office will restore that comfort. My friend who recommended him also had acid reflux problems with her son. He was having such a tough time, he wasn't gaining weight and was titled "failure to thrive" - they were ready to take him to a children's hospital b/c her Dr. couldn't find the cause. She switched to Dr. Brand - and he backed up - did more through test, and easily cured the reflux issue. He's a beautiful happy baby!!! S0000 - as much as I'm dreading tonight - I'm anxious to meet him tomorrow and to get Keira on the road to feeling better and being able to be what she should be...happy. Keep your fingers crossed.

A night almost too crazy to believe...

Just had to share this - I'm sure many of you have encountered similar evenings....

Last night - Keira was doing great after finally falling asleep. Around 3am Quinn woke up crying - Billy went in to check on him, picked him up to try to provide some comfort. I hear..."What the hell smells like vomit????" - Yes, Quinn threw up all over himself and his bed..and BLANKET!!! Most of you know how precious 'buddy' is to him... So - we spent the next few hours doing laundry - nursing a baby, and holding Quinn's arms back so he'd throw up in the "poddy" instead of himself and the floor. The nursing and throwing up was occuring at the same time by the way. A sight to have been seen - me on the floor - boob in mouth, grabbing Quinn as he cried and looked at me like I was in control of what his tummy was doing....
To top it off in Billy's tired stupor...he threw a burgundy table cloth in with Quinn's bedding and blanket....yes he washed them on warm and things are tinted pink now! Parenthood brings soooo many joyous nights... Good thing they're soo cute...

A visit with Grandpa Gene and Debbie...

Quinn's big kiss!

This is our friend Lauren...obviously Quinn is quite fond of her...too cute.

Keira update...

Our little one is a month old! The past few weeks have been quite rough - yesterday I took her in as her sleep and comfort had seemed to have taken a turn for the worst. To keep it short...they believe she has acid reflux and have given her a script for it. So far, a good improvement. Although it's almost 10pm. and I've been working on getting her down for over an hour... hoping for easier days ahead... and so happy to have what we think it an answer for her unsettled "tummy".