Results

The Upper GI test went well and did not show anything to be concerned about, such as a hernia, blockage, etc. Whew! What a relief. I've been a nervous wreck worrying that he'd need another repair surgery and am so glad they agreed to do the study to rule it out. What it did show is that Carter's organs are not in the ordinary places that most people's organs are found because of his CDH (this is normal for CDH kids). His stomach is facing a different direction so it does not fully empty unless he lying on his left side when he eats (as opposed to those with a normal anatomy who sit up to eat). This information helps us to know how to help ease his reflux. The radiologist also agreed with Carter's surgeon that a Nissen procedure is not an option due to his anatomy. The G-tube would be possible and we've been discussing the option of bringing him home with an NG-tube, but that depends on which Doctor we ask.

The big news of the day (and I'm knocking on wood as I type this) is that Carter took milk from a syringe today!!! 10ccs at 12noon -- 15 ccs at 3pm -- 17 ccs at 6pm! No success at 9pm because his feed was late and he was crying too much. This is more consistency than we've seen from him ever before. We're beginning to think that he's just not going to take a bottle and we may have to move to a transition sippy cup. PT, OT and Speech didn't work with him again today, so I'm thankful Brad has the skills to work with Carter.

The other big news is that Carter passed his hearing test. While this may seem mundane for most parents, for us it was a big concern. With ECMO and some of the medications he has required, there is a high risk for hearing loss. There is still a chance that he may have some hearing loss as he gets older, but for now we are relieved. When we tell him "no, no" when's he's 2 years old and he doesn't listen, we'll know he's just ignoring us and is being a normal 2-year-old.

TUMMY TIME!

Here's just some of the bottle nipples we've tried. There is at least one bag this size at the hospital, too. We have seriously tried every one Target has.

Just a note for Brad and I to reference--brainstorming things that might be going on:

• he still has thrush
• his palate has a ridge from the ET tube (hopefully temporary)
• reflux
• not enough consistency in feeds
• hypersensitivity