On Sunday night, we took the long trip, through the crazy bad snow storm, down to the Twin Cities for The little ninja's gastroenterology appointment on Monday morning. While it was a short appointment, here is what happened.
-We arrived about 30 min early, Easton in his DM Ninja pants (Thank you Auntie Karin!). They had asked us to come 15 min before our appointment. We did not need to be there early! Easton did wait patiently as you can see!
- Easton weighed in at 9lbs 13oz. This means that he only gained about an ounce and a half in 5 days. For an average baby, this would not be an issue. For Easton, that is a bit bigger issue.
-We increased his feeding rate/volume. The goal for the next few weeks is to get to 31mL/hr over 22 hours. This means that his feeding rate is at 26mL/hr over 24 hours until Saturday. Then we will increase up tp 27mL/hr for a week, then to 28mL/hr. Once we increase to 29mL/hr we will begin the two hour break. (This break is for many reasons. One, we want Easton to still recognize hunger. two, we want to see how he handles higher rates over shorter periods of time. This would hopefully move us toward bolus feeding.) If he tolerates this, we would then increase to 30mL/hr then 31mL/hr over 22 hours. he needs this increase to continue to grow at an increased rate as he did before. His goal is about a pound every 2 weeks.
-Easton had some irritation and granulation tissue as I mentioned in an earlier post. So, our doctor loosened the fit of his current tube, all of his new chub made it sit to close to the skin! We also got a steroid cream that has helped a ton, even with just one use!
-We scheduled his mic-key button surgery for May 30th. This is an out-patient surgery that switches out is current PEG tube with a mic-key button. Mic-key buttons are more low profile and easier for everyday life. HOWEVER, to undergo this surgery Easton has to be 5.5kg which is about 12lbs. So we will have 5 weeks to gain that! If he doesn't we will have to postpone surgery until he does.. We have high hopes that he will.
MN GI was so amazing for us! The doctors, nurses, and staff were so friendly. If only they were not a 4 hour drive away!
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