Monday, October 22, 2012

Life Post-Glenn

...was not everything I had been promised.  I was promised that life after the glenn would be somewhat normal.  No more late night trips to the hospital, no more fussy baby, no more nervous mama.  Ok, well that last one will probably always be an issue.  But I was hoping the other two would disappear at least.    But they didn't.
Ok, so the late night trip to the hospital actually wasn't a big deal.  Livie's just a stinker and pulled her NJ last night so we took a little trip to get it replaced.  I CANNOT wait 'til this girl is eating for herself. Ah well.  Someday.  Hopefully soon.
As for the fussy baby.  If anything, she's been worse since the glenn.  At first I figured she was just hurting.  Her chest was cut open and her anatomy fiddled with after all.  But it's been getting to the point that she should be less unhappy and if anything she was getting more grumpy.  She's had diarrhea for quite a while too which was originally thought to be bad perfusions to her gut.  The glenn should've fixed that but alas, she still had diarrhea.  I had decided to go ahead and try her on my milk without PCMC's blessing to see if this might help since I suspected it was her tummy bothering her but I had also decided to take some friendly heart mom and advice and give her a little more time to adjust to her new anatomy.  After two REALLY bad days with a baby who was just miserable I decided to try it anyway.  We started with just a tiny bit mixed with the elecare (the formula she's been on)  and even then she was just as grumpy.  Yesterday I was so exhausted and Livie wouldn't nap for more than a half hour at a time and I lost it.  I ended up speeding up the process and dumped a bunch of my milk in with her formula.  It was about half and half.  And after an hour or so my baby girl started to reappear!  I am SO excited!  This is without me giving up dairy by the way.  I thought about trying that but after trying almond milk I decided we'd see how Liv handled the regular stuff first.  And so far so good.  Her diapers today will be very telling but I'm feeling pretty confidant.  So keep your fingers crossed!
Also, on a little side note.  Liv's oxygen need hasn't been stellar but as of last night we got her down to the minimum they want her on.  YAY!
So we're getting to that post-glenn dream I've heard so much about.  Hopefully very soon and we'll be there.
I know you are probably all really wanting some pictures and I don't have any new ones on the computer at the moment.  I promise, soon.  Very soon.

2 comments:

Ali said...

Geez... I'm so sorry she's been so grumpy. But that is great about adding your milk and getting good results so far! Keeps us posted on those diapers and how it all pans out! Hoping it will be another one of those Take THAT PCMC moments. :)

Allison said...

Way to listen to your mom intuition. I am curious how she seems to be doing tonight? I hope that switching her off Elecare solves some of her tummy issues and she can be back to straight breastmilk with no fortifying soon! As for the Post Glenn life, remember you have to give her some time to recover still girl! Sheesh! Liv is a rock star, but even her amazing little spirit cannot be expected to bounce back fully less then a few weeks past major OHS! Six weeks is the general recovery time from heart surgery and if by the end of 6-8 weeks post Glenn you aren't feeling like she is a more stable baby and you are enjoying you new normal, then I owe you a Charlie's shake! Deal?! Hang in there and keep following your instincts. You are doing a great job!