Carlee is home again

 After a stressful few days of tests and surgery, the doctors have finally come to the conclusion that Carlee has a severe protein allergy.  About 5 weeks ago my endocrinologist had me start taking thyroid medicine again.  After three weeks on the medicine, I felt like it was giving Carlee an upset stomach so I stopped nursing her and put her on formula.  One week after she started the formula, she began vomiting.  For a week as we switched formulas and tried different things she would stop vomiting and then start again.  By June 12th, she was dehydrated and we couldn't keep anything in her except Pedialyte.  Her x-rays showed an enlarged colon and an abnormal shape to her intestines but after the surgeon took a look around, he decided there was nothing to fix.



The doctors decided to take a break for a day.  They continued giving her IV fluids and when they tested her blood on Thursday her electrolytes were back to normal.  A new x-ray showed that her colon had shrunk back down and so her GI doc decided to put her on a hypoallergenic formula.



So the good news is that we were able to come home on Friday and things seem to be going well.  The bad news is that we really don't know what foods Carlee is allergic to aside from Dairy.  The formula she needs can only be ordered and is really expensive, but it is worth it if she is able to stay healthy.  For someone who hasn't always enjoyed breastfeeding or had a lot of luck with it, I am grateful that I was able to nurse Carlee for as long as I did.  From here on out it will be trial and error discovering what foods Carlee can eat.  Thanks for all of your prayers.  We are soooooo  happy to be home. 

Carlee in the Hospital

I've been a bit behind on my posts and I plan to catch up soon, but things have been a little bit crazy. Right now I am sitting in the pediatric unit at TMC with Carlee. She had been sick for a little over a week before we came here. Ironically she was admitted two years to the day that Joshua was born. After a series of X-rays, tests, and one minor surgery we are still without a lot of answers. we met with the GI doc this morning and he has a few ideas on what could be the problem, but more tests are still needed. As for right now she has an enlarged colon and they are retesting her blood. Possible symptoms range from an allergy or infection to Hirschprung's disease. When we have a few more answers we will let you know. As for now, prayers are greatly appreciated. We will try and keep you posted. Carlee is as smily and happy as ever. When I figure out how to add a picture from the iPad I will.