Remember when I posted about Joshua's weight gain dilemma a couple of weeks ago? Well, I am happy to say, we've put your tips to good use! Joshua has been eating, eating, eating...every bite, and every sip, is packed with calories!
When I posted in desperation, Joshua weighed 27lbs 8oz. I have been conscious of everything I feed him and I weigh him daily. He now weighs, drum roll, please...29lbs 1.5oz!!! He has gained nearly 2lbs!!! I am so excited & feel like we are going to hit the 30lb mark by the end of the month!
I am so grateful for all of the great suggestions that were given. I don't feel overwhelmed by the task of growing him anymore. He's going to hit 35lbs like he needs to. I just need to stay the course.
In other Joshua news, he needed to have blood work done this week. I didn't post about it because I was feeling sick about having to do it. Blood draws & IVs are the worst, in case you didn't know (but if you're reading this, you probably know).
It was tough to watch, but it went as well as it could. Joshua knew what was going on when we entered the lab & didn't put up a fight. I was very surprised that he didn't resist. He gave the man his arm & when the needle entered (on the first poke, phew) he buried his head in my chest & cried. He told me, "momma it hurts me." That's the worst. But he stopped crying as soon as it was over. It really only lasted for about 8 seconds total. I am very grateful that it went so very smoothly. But even 8 seconds sucks when it's your baby suffering. Anyway, now it's over with & he wasn't traumatized.
His labs came back looking almost exactly as they did last year. Everything within the normal range, except for the red blood cell count, due to his low oxygen levels. Actually, that figure had slightly improved from last year's reading. Good news!
We are about 2 weeks off from his next major appointment. I am feeling some anxiety. I am really not a huge worrier when it comes to Joshua. I definitely worry, but I never freak myself out with awful thoughts. I take his journey one day at a time. I don't want to spend my time worrying when he's healthy because heaven forbid he become seriously ill, I would regret that I didn't simply enjoy the time we had when he was healthy.
With that said, Joshua just doesn't look so good lately. He is very blue & very winded when he plays. He plays very hard. When he's just hanging out, he looks just fine, but he isn't one for "just hanging out" and the result is a blue, winded kid. And so I'm worried.
We should get a game plan for the Fontan at the appointment. That may mean we are put on the books right away, or it may mean we are told we aiming for Spring. Either way, I will feel better after talking with Dr. Rivera, he's so good at his job, we trust him, we love him.
I will keep you posted when we find out more...thanks again for the food suggestions, they are certainly working:)
9 comments:
That is a great picture! Although he's cute in big boy undies, I want him back in a diaper...pronto. He can't be old enough for underwear!
I always have him in my prayers. Love you buddy.
That's great news! So happy to hear it! I was just joking yesterday that I think someone is reading Aly my blog because after our weight gain tips posts she's been eating anything and everything in sight too! :) Praying for a good appointment for Joshua.
Good Job Joshie!!
When you describe how blue he is when he plays, it sounds like Owen. I have stopped checking his sats because it's scary. I spot check Owen, just because he is on almost 2 liters of o2, but when they play and turn blue, it's like low 60's, high 50's. Not cool.
Hoping for a great cardio visit full of info!
Good Job Joshie!!
When you describe how blue he is when he plays, it sounds like Owen. I have stopped checking his sats because it's scary. I spot check Owen, just because he is on almost 2 liters of o2, but when they play and turn blue, it's like low 60's, high 50's. Not cool.
Hoping for a great cardio visit full of info!
So glad he's gaining! Isn't that just such a feeling of victory?!? It's a battle, that's for sure.
You have such a great perspective on this, thanks for your advice on just enjoying now, while they're healthy. You're so right. I tend to worry lots, not so good. This week has been a tough one with the loss of little heart friends as well as Maddie's sick. Always harder when they're sick because you can see that they're comprimised.
Anyway, I'm going to have to go back and check on the tips. We're working on gaining too so she'll have her Fontan in spring.
Hugs to you!
So glad he's putting on the pounds! Way to go!
Praying that your appointment goes well.
Way to go Josh (and Mommy!)!!!
That is awesome that he is gaining so great now. He looks SO cute on that scale. And I have to say...little boys in big boy underwear are one of my favorite things. Those little tooshies!! Ahhh!!!
I'll be praying for you as the 18th approaches. Hoping you get the answer you are wanting.
Yeah big, bigger boy! Glad that is one thing off your shoulders. As for his blueish, windedness...I know from experience that it is concering. I also know that Casey lived a long time this way, until he was old enough, and big enough for the surgery. SO....either option will be good news. If he's healthy enough to wait, that's great! If he's healthy enough to have the Fontan, that's great too!
With Halloween and the holidays around the corner, he'll be packing on the weight with the rest of us :)
Let me know if you need to drop a couple kids off that day, always open for visitors!
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