Sun 01/04/09 - - Feeding Fuss Day #3

Overnight, Ava became sick and threw up majority of her 01:30 feed.
The resident decided to hold all feeds until the morning x-ray.

The morning x-ray again showed that her stomach was again distended. The belief was that it was air, however, upon trying to expel it there was a large amount of undigested formula which was found. The nurses continued to expel air and residual formula. Following the relief effort, Ava became very comfortable and began to sleep.

During morning rounds there were many ideas kicked around by the staff, including inserting an additional oral tube to help expel the air, however, we pushed for them to exhaust all options with the existing NG tube.

They decided to remain a little patient with the situation, increasing the dosage of reglan while just supplementing Ava with IV fluids to circumvent dehydration. They don't want to push feeds yet because of how much residual formula they keep finding in her stomach (as late as 18:00 today there were traces of undigested formula), and, because she is going to have the vacuum dressing changed on her chest incision tomorrow morning (which means they would have to cut her feeds due to this is a surgical procedure).

Ava was able to rest pretty much most of the day, sometimes in her big bed and sometimes in mommy's arms. Every once in awhile, she would shoot us to smile to let us know that everything is going to be alright (Teresa really likes it when she does this).

Teresa and I wanted to take another time out to say thank you to everyone who has provided us with food or snacks for us during our hospital stay. We don't believe that we have eaten this well ever, and it sure beats what they have to offer here in the hospital. We are very grateful for your generosity.