A Lot to Swallow!

Hi everyone,

This - the 17th week of her life - was a big week. Alexandra needed to undergo several tests to clarify what is going on with her ability to swallow and to see the anatomy of her esophagus, stomach, and first little bit of her small intestines.  The need for these tests is a good sign because remember we couldn't even dream of doing them just 1 or 2 weeks ago.

Her anatomy

We're happy to report that the esophagus has kept itself open just nicely.  There's always a chance it could have grown too narrow or developed a leak... But it didn't! Her stomach and first part of her intestines also look normal.  For those of you in the medical fields, we did an upper GI and an esophogram.

Swallow Study

Once we knew she had the proper anatomy to bottle feed, we had to make sure her body could "coordinate" everything from sucking, to actually routing the milk into the stomach (without any detours to the lungs, sinuses, or other off limits places). The test gave us mixed results. On one hand, the liquid she swallowed went where it was supposed to go.  However, getting her to actually allow a bottle in her mouth was a problem.  She has been rejecting anything and everything in her mouth lately, including her Binki.  So we interpret this as once she learns to accept things in her mouth, she should be ok.

Reflux

Alexandra has pretty intense reflux.  How bad is it? Vesuvius and St Helens come to mind. The test wasn't perfect... She had a tube going into her stomach (which keeps a valve open, allowing stomach contents to come back up). Also, she was laying flat... This is something she will never really be able to do.

Big Picture Stuff

Alexandra has been requiring a bit more oxygen over the last few days.  This could be a harbinger of things to come, or it could be because she's had some busy days.  Putting the extra oxygen together with all the test results is anything but easy.  On one hand, it could point us back to the fundoplication surgery.  However, she has several features that usually go against the surgery.  Those decisions are for another time...

Pictures

Alexandra and Mom relaxing before tests in radiology

Hanging out with Dad Friday night

Oooooh, look!  My mobile thingy is spinning again!!!!