Testing

We took Riley in today to see the GI specialist. After reviewing her history, we were given a few ideas on what may be going on, but no real answers. We started off by doing many blood tests and stool samples. Since her stool was positive for blood last time we are re-testing and if it is positive again, she will have to have an upper and lower probe test to determine where the blood is coming from. We also scheduled a PH test in which a tube is placed down her nose and throat and left there for 24 hours. She comes home for those 24 hours and we have to constantly make sure she does not pull the tube out. Sounds like fun. We then take her back the next morning and they download all of the information from the machine to determine if she has reflux. This test will be next Thursday. We are also in the process of setting up her upper GI test in which she will drink contrast and they will xray to see if there are any abnormalities.

She is being testing for absorption issues as well as structural issues so hopefully we are on our way to some real answers.

She is such a trooper and has remained pretty happy throughout this whole process so we are very thankful for that. She also continues to be super stubborn especially when it comes to walking. She has taken a few steps, but knows she can get where she wants to go faster if she simply crawls. She can say mama and doggie, but not much else. She loves to tickle everyone, climb on everything, and nods her head yes when you ask if she wants something. She continues to thrive developmentally, but our peanut just may not quite make the basketball team like we originally thought!

Sisters

Riley learned how to push her big sis down the slide. The pic below is her reaction after. :)

I think we have a winner

We have finished our 4th day of being throw-up free! Hopefully the infection has run its course and Riley will begin to fatten up. She will be eating a good amount of cake and sherbert this week since we have a few birthday celebrations for the little peanut. Here are a few pics from her pre-birthday celebration with Grams and Papa.

Blood Test Results

We received all of Riley's blood test results today and most everything was within the normal range. Her allergy test (IGE) was normal, which means no allergy. So why has the throw up stopped? The white blood cell test results were not normal. Her lymphocyte count was very high, 90%. The normal range is 20-70%. Her neutrophil count was 5%. Normal range is 16-60%. Of course when I read this I started thinking of leukemia, but I was trying to not do any research or thinking until I talked with the doctor. When she called, she said these results make her think Riley has some sort of virus. Dairy products can definitely irritate the body further so maybe that is why taking the dairy out has made a difference? I really do not know. At this point, she has not thrown up for 2 days! Yahoo! We are going to keep dairy out for the next few weeks and keep an eye on her and if everything looks good and she gains weight, I guess there is nothing more to research. If she worsens, then we will re-order the upper GI test (we can skip this for now!) and talk again.

I still feel like I am constantly watching her and am still a very over-protective mommy, but I did feel myself relax a bit today. She even had some coughing episodes that produced nothing so I am hopeful we are closer to the end of this nightmare.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We are thankful for wonderful family and friends!

A throw-up free day and a dairy-free life

After a terrible day for Riley yesterday, I felt like I really needed to be a bit more pro-active in discovering why she is constantly throwing up everything she puts in her little body. We saw another pediatrician today, her ped is out of town, and talked about what to do. Her weight had dropped 2 ounces from one week ago, which is now even more of a cause for concern. She decided that we should do blood work, order an upper GI test, and after consulting with a GI specialist, decided we should start by taking dairy out of not only Riley's diet, but mine as well since I am still breastfeeding. The GI specialist thought it sounded like a food allergy so we are on the road to discovering what that allergy might be. After a full day without dairy we have had a day without throwing up! I cannot remember when the last throw-up free day was, but it is quite lovely to not have that smell hovering around. I am continuing my food journal and waiting on the blood test results, which should show if there is an allergy present. We will keep you posted.

Should I just hook her up to an I.V. full of cream???

I took Riley in for her 1 year appointment today. I have been a bit concerned about her weight for a few months now. She is not a picky eater and eats well, but she chokes and coughs during meals and 3 out of 4 times she throws up her entire meal. In March, she was in the 70th percentile for weight. In June, she was in the 45th, and today she fell down into the 14th. She has gained 1 pound in 3 months. I feel like I am constantly thinking about her intake of calories and offer her a ton of food. This is SO unlike Avery who has always been in the 95th percentile. (Riley weighs what Avery did at 6 1/2 months!) This has been so mentally exhausting for me. I do feel that because she is so happy all the time, sleeps through the night, and nurses well nothing too serious can be wrong. Her pediatrician is not all that concerned, but wants another weight check in a month. There is a possibility of reflux, which can be helped with medication so I need to do some reading and watch her for the next week or so. We will keep you updated. Here are some pics of the "starved" peanut. :)

This is a pic I took right after I cleaned up her throw up. Pizza does not smell nice coming back up. I already have a hard time with the smell of pizza since it was a food that grossed me out when I was pregnant. Obviously, it does not bother her that much!

I can't stand it!

I thought of this pic by my friend Mel when I was making this playdough today. Doesn't it look beautiful? It was so hard for me to give it over to Avery though. I am a bit obsessive compulsive and the thought of this beautiful playdough becoming one big clump of yuck unnerved me a little. No, I am not nearly as bad as Kate (from John and Kate plus 8) and I have actually gotten better now that I have kids. I still love the smell of fresh laundry, the dishwasher running, vaccuum lines on the carpet, and a clean playroom every night, but I have learned how to let things go and relax. It is still hard for me to sit still, but I have come to truly enjoy the chaos my lively and beautiful children bring to my life.