GI Update

A little over a week ago, I finally got a phone call from Motts Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan to schedule Lily with a GI specialist.  They were unable to get us in until August 6th but at this point it was still better than having no appointment with anyone.  Then last Wednesday I got a call from Helen DeVos saying they were starting to schedule their August appointments.  I pulled up my calendar to August, went through the motions of verifying Lily's birthdate, address and insurance information and the referral lady said, "How about Friday?".  Of course my reaction was, "I'm sorry - do you mean this Friday?".  She went on to apologize that it was last minute but it looked like there was a cancellation so an appointment was available in two days.  SOLD.  We booked it.

Friday morning we made our way to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital which is both the most amazing medical practice and most depressing medical practice Mike and I have ever set foot into.  We pulled into the parking garage and ended up parking next to a family unloading their 3 or 4 year old son and their suitcases.  Their son was sporting a bald head and breathing tubes.  I wanted to hug him and his parents and tell them they were the strongest people in the world.  The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming as we passed visibly sick children on the way in.

Lily's appointment was in the pediatric building across the street from the round hospital most people are familiar with.  When we entered the waiting room, I was extremely impressed.  We were instructed to check in using one of the automated stations - think airline self check-in computers.  Finding Nemo was playing a big screen TV, there were activities on all of the walls, statues to play on, and colors everywhere.  We were called back to see the doctor exactly on our appointment time and she came in immediately after Lily had her vitals taken.  And she was AMAZING.

She confirmed she felt nothing internally wrong with Lily and helped us develop her treatment plan.  She explained to us that Lily's belly was a little distended, likely from her not completely emptying herself.  And then Lily put on a show and demonstrated how she was having issues going to the bathroom.  It couldn't have been more perfect.  The doctor was able to witness a piece of what we'd been seeing and also inspected her diaper.  We were instructed to make some more dietary changes and given a list of suggested meal plans.  In addition, we were to up her Miralax dosage until her stool was much much softer.  The 1tsp we had been giving her didn't seem to be doing the job.

I'm happy (not sure if this is the right emotion) to say we've had four days of successful silent stink bombs.  Last night we had a tub necessary blowout and this morning ended in a change of clothes for both Lily and I - I'll spare you the dirty details.  Isn't it funny how excited you get about poo when you become a parent?