Andrew's Trials

Andrew will be 8 weeks old on Monday...and it's been quite a ride. When Andrew was 2.5 weeks old James was admitted to the hospital for Rhinovirus. James was in the hospital for 9 days, discharged, and then readmitted for 2 more days for dehydration. During that time Andrew stayed with my mom or Abby (my sister-in-law). While he was staying with them, his appetite was growing normally and so was he. He also had his first projectile vomit during this time. It happened about twice that week. The projectile vomiting increased in volume and frequency until it was happening at least 2 times every day (talk about dirty laundry). At his 1 month check-up, the pediatrician started him on Zantac hoping that it was just reflex. She warned us though that it could be something more and to call her if the medicine didn't make a difference after 5 days. So after 5 days and no improvement, we called. Andrew was switched to Prevacid, a stronger medicine. 5 more days passed and still no improvements (and still a TON of laundry). The pediatrician then put him on a combination of the 2 medicines and ordered an upper GI to make sure that his anatomy was not causing the problem. Andrew seemed to be doing better with the double meds and we were hopeful that the problem was fixed, but I took Andrew in this morning for his test anyway. They did the upper GI and an ultrasound which both indicated that he has Pyloric Stenosis. This is when the muscle in between the stomach and the small intestine doesn't work properly and the stomach can't empty, eventually causing the projectile vomiting. We were sent straight to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh where they could do corrective surgery. It's important to have this problem fixed as soon as possible because babies can become extremely malnourished if left untreated. So the surgeon worked Andrew it at the end of the day and now he is all fixed. He will be able to eat again in about 4 hours. They will slowly increase his feeds until he is up to 2 ounces every 3 hours and then we get to take him home. This could be as early as tomorrow evening, but probably Sunday morning.

It has been an absolute crazy 2 months with the birth of our second child, a couple of ER trips, a few hospital stays, a couple surgeries, some birthdays (I can't believe Dave and I are 30!) and a holiday or two. God may put all of these things in my life, but He also pulls me through them. I get angry and frustrated with God for putting my children (and other children) through so much, but I know that someday we will live on an Earth with no pain and suffering. ...and someday I'll understand...