I'm going to say the "h" word now!
Home at last!
I love Daddy, he loves me...
Worn out from visiting the pediatrician.
Wow, what a crazy couple of weeks! All last week I was trying to prepare to bring Ellie home. I thought I was ready, and then I realized all the little things I still had to do! For minor update of that week, click here.Then this week has been getting used to having her home and her schedule and needs. All those hours in the hospital paid off, I know what I'm doing most of the time!
Coming home was strange for Ellie. She had never been outside before EVER. Home was a new experience for her, but after a couple of days she started feeling more comfortable. Her brothers love having her home and come into my room at all different times of the day to see if she's awake and can play. Alex didn't quite understand that he couldn't bring friends in to see her whenever he wanted. What's the point in having a baby sister if you can't show her off? He and Harrison are having to adapt to the fact that they can't have friends over to play in the house, only outside.
Chad stayed home this week to help me. I thought that since I knew all the ins and outs of what Ellie needed things would go pretty smoothly...and they do to a point. She is on 6 medicatons that have to be taken at different times of the day, and some of them 2 or 3 times a day. Plus she has her NJ tube in and is connected to a feeding (kangaroo) pump 20 hours a day. She is also on a heart monitor at night. (The first weekend it was hooked up all day long). Add to this her bottle feedings up to 3 times a day, diaper changes, her still throwing up and then you have to change her clothes (we're on the 3rd outfit today) AND my needing to pump to get breastmilk for her....it doesn't leave much time for insignificant things like sleep and showers. I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow when Chad goes back to work and I have to start paying attention to the boys again. He's been taking care of them while I've been taking care of the baby.
All in all, Ellie is doing very well. She actually wants to eat from a bottle, but never finishes the entire thing. But hey, it's an improvement. She isn't throwing up as much. (I do have to hold her a lot to keep her upright so she doesn't lose her lunch after she eats. I'm borrowing a snugli baby carrier from my friend Wendy so I can start moving around the house and maybe get something done). She loves to look around and play and try to talk to us.
Auntie Phyllis called us this week to see how Ellie's doing. I put the phone up to Ellie's ear and Phyllis talked to her. The look on her face was priceless. She recognized that voice and was looking all over trying to find Phyllis!
Yellow Chart Treatment
We took Ellie to see the pediatrician this week. It was an information gathering for him to know what she needs and what needs to happen for her. I was kind of nervous taking her to the doctor's office, especially when her discharge orders clearly state to keep her out of public places for 3 months, but it was just fine. Not only are there 2 seperate waiting rooms there, one for sick kids and one for healthy kids, but the minute we walked in the receptionist asked, "Is this Elizabeth? I'll take you right back." She then went on to explain that Ellie doesn't have to sit in the waiting room. Even if there is a line in front of us we are supposed to go right up to the desk and say, "I have a Yellow Chart Child," and they will take us right in to wait in an examination room. The receptionist explained that sometimes parents bring their children in for their "well child check ups" with runny noses and bring them into the healthy waiting room side anyway. They say, "I didn't think it was a big deal, it's just a runny nose!" But for Ellie, it is a big deal. Her doctors are very concerned about her catching a virus because it could affect her heart. So, like movie stars who get red carpet treatment, we get yellow chart treatment.
Wow, this is a long blog, but this is the first time I've even had a chance to sit down and write anything. I've been walking around like a zombie for a week. I can't blame my girl, she sleeps through the night. It's getting up to pump and to fill her feeding bag. I can't put more than 4 hours worth of formula at a time in her pump because it will start to go bad if I do. So, 3 or 4 hours of sleep at a time is about all I get. Then I get up and give her medication at 8:00, 9:00, 9:30, two at 12:00, 2:00, 3:00, and then the 8, 9, and 9:30 again. She's on Prevacid and Zantac twice a day to help with her reflux. Lasix once a day for her heart, synthroid once a day for her thyroid, actigal 3 times a day for her liver enzymes, and vitamins once a day. Some of these medicines cannot be taken at the same time as other ones or they don't work. I have to say, it beats the heck out of all the meds she was on before! (around 15 at one time) So.... I can now rival any CEO of a big company with having important things throughout the day. I think I should have my honorary nursing degree in about a year.
I love Daddy, he loves me...
Worn out from visiting the pediatrician.
Wow, what a crazy couple of weeks! All last week I was trying to prepare to bring Ellie home. I thought I was ready, and then I realized all the little things I still had to do! For minor update of that week, click here.Then this week has been getting used to having her home and her schedule and needs. All those hours in the hospital paid off, I know what I'm doing most of the time!
Coming home was strange for Ellie. She had never been outside before EVER. Home was a new experience for her, but after a couple of days she started feeling more comfortable. Her brothers love having her home and come into my room at all different times of the day to see if she's awake and can play. Alex didn't quite understand that he couldn't bring friends in to see her whenever he wanted. What's the point in having a baby sister if you can't show her off? He and Harrison are having to adapt to the fact that they can't have friends over to play in the house, only outside.
Chad stayed home this week to help me. I thought that since I knew all the ins and outs of what Ellie needed things would go pretty smoothly...and they do to a point. She is on 6 medicatons that have to be taken at different times of the day, and some of them 2 or 3 times a day. Plus she has her NJ tube in and is connected to a feeding (kangaroo) pump 20 hours a day. She is also on a heart monitor at night. (The first weekend it was hooked up all day long). Add to this her bottle feedings up to 3 times a day, diaper changes, her still throwing up and then you have to change her clothes (we're on the 3rd outfit today) AND my needing to pump to get breastmilk for her....it doesn't leave much time for insignificant things like sleep and showers. I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow when Chad goes back to work and I have to start paying attention to the boys again. He's been taking care of them while I've been taking care of the baby.
All in all, Ellie is doing very well. She actually wants to eat from a bottle, but never finishes the entire thing. But hey, it's an improvement. She isn't throwing up as much. (I do have to hold her a lot to keep her upright so she doesn't lose her lunch after she eats. I'm borrowing a snugli baby carrier from my friend Wendy so I can start moving around the house and maybe get something done). She loves to look around and play and try to talk to us.
Auntie Phyllis called us this week to see how Ellie's doing. I put the phone up to Ellie's ear and Phyllis talked to her. The look on her face was priceless. She recognized that voice and was looking all over trying to find Phyllis!
Yellow Chart Treatment
We took Ellie to see the pediatrician this week. It was an information gathering for him to know what she needs and what needs to happen for her. I was kind of nervous taking her to the doctor's office, especially when her discharge orders clearly state to keep her out of public places for 3 months, but it was just fine. Not only are there 2 seperate waiting rooms there, one for sick kids and one for healthy kids, but the minute we walked in the receptionist asked, "Is this Elizabeth? I'll take you right back." She then went on to explain that Ellie doesn't have to sit in the waiting room. Even if there is a line in front of us we are supposed to go right up to the desk and say, "I have a Yellow Chart Child," and they will take us right in to wait in an examination room. The receptionist explained that sometimes parents bring their children in for their "well child check ups" with runny noses and bring them into the healthy waiting room side anyway. They say, "I didn't think it was a big deal, it's just a runny nose!" But for Ellie, it is a big deal. Her doctors are very concerned about her catching a virus because it could affect her heart. So, like movie stars who get red carpet treatment, we get yellow chart treatment.
Wow, this is a long blog, but this is the first time I've even had a chance to sit down and write anything. I've been walking around like a zombie for a week. I can't blame my girl, she sleeps through the night. It's getting up to pump and to fill her feeding bag. I can't put more than 4 hours worth of formula at a time in her pump because it will start to go bad if I do. So, 3 or 4 hours of sleep at a time is about all I get. Then I get up and give her medication at 8:00, 9:00, 9:30, two at 12:00, 2:00, 3:00, and then the 8, 9, and 9:30 again. She's on Prevacid and Zantac twice a day to help with her reflux. Lasix once a day for her heart, synthroid once a day for her thyroid, actigal 3 times a day for her liver enzymes, and vitamins once a day. Some of these medicines cannot be taken at the same time as other ones or they don't work. I have to say, it beats the heck out of all the meds she was on before! (around 15 at one time) So.... I can now rival any CEO of a big company with having important things throughout the day. I think I should have my honorary nursing degree in about a year.
posted by Lilacmusic | 6:27 PM
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