CDH Feeding Issues

3/4/12

 

We had only been home from the hospital for a short 4 days. Today was our 5th day home. It had been my first time seeing my new home. Today was a special day because it was Liams and Mine first time to church. We enjoyed a good service by our Pastor. After we went to a second cousins birthday party. Stephen was turning 5. Liam wasn't feeling to good. He seemed really tired so Mommy kept us inside in the cool air. Liam and I spent the day playing...

We snuggled...

 

 

He chewed on my tail, which I have to say isnt that bad...

 

 

Then we napped.

 

Later that night, Liam got real sick. He no longer was keeping his feeds down. Mommy had to rush him back to the hospital. I stayed by Liam's side like the loyal friend I am.

 

Liam has 2 major long lasting issues as a result of his CDH. Feeding and Respitory. And they usually go hand in hand. Liam has a very hard time tollerating feeds. His digestive track is so sensitive. He also has slow motility which causes him to digest his food much slower than you and me...well you anyway since Im a stuffed puppy that doesn't eat. Specialist arent sure why CDH causes these issues, they just know that most CDH kids have them.

 

 

Liam's CDH Journey:

Mommies Blog http://mommyconfessionalinmyshoes.blogspot.com

Liam's FB http://www.facebook.com/CherubLiam

Shooting For Liam CDH Awareness http://www.facebook.com/ShootingForLiam

 

 

New Friends

2/28/12

 



See the green guy up there on the right? Thats Dino. Mommy adopted him for Liam right after adopting me. Liam likes him but doesn't play with him much. Dino was sad about it at first until I told him that being there for Liam was our job. Its ok if he doesnt get played with much. I waited in that gift shop for weeks before someone came along and adopted me. Dino here only a few days. When Liams asleep or not around we play. Weve become good friends too.

And he's always there for Liam now too :) 

GJtube Surgery

2/27/12
I had only been with Liam for 5 days when they took him into surgery. He hadn't been able to tollerate large volumes in his stomach so they said they had to take out his Gtube and put in a GJtube. A GJtube is a feeding tube that is surgically inserted in to the stomach through the abdomen. One port (G) goes into the stomach for meds and the other into the upper part of his intestines for his feeds (J). Of the 50% of CDH babies that survive, most have long term medical issues including feeding. When they took Liam into surgery, I was able to go with him. I stayed by his side every step of the way, from the nurses taking us from Mommy into the room, being put to sleep to waking back up in recouvery. Liam was never left alone. I gave him comfort and love.

 

Poor Liam had to have an IV in his head because they couldn't get one anywhere else. I was there to comfort him. He would pull my ears and chew on my tail but I didn't mind.

 

 

When he was grougy from the anethsia, I was the only one who could sooth and calm him. Liam wasn't happy unless I was close. Mommy was happy she had walked into the gift shop 5 days before, it seemed fated.

Liam's CDH Journey:
Mommies Blog http://mommyconfessionalinmyshoes.blogspot.com
Liam's FB http://www.facebook.com/CherubLiam
Shooting For Liam CDH Awareness
http://www.facebook.com/ShootingForLiam

 

Welcome To The Family

Last February, 2/22/12, Liam was admitted in the hospital for 5th time. He was having respitory and feeding problems. Liam was only 7 months at the time and had had a hard start in life. He was born on July 14th 2011 with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. CDH is when the babies diaphragm fails to develop properly leaving a hole in the diaphragm and allowing the abdominal contents to migrate up into the chest cavity. When this happens it puts pressure on the babies heart and causes the lungs to be underdeveloped. Liam was very blessed and even though he underwent ECMO he only spent 48 days in NICU. He survived when only 50% of babies born with CDH dont.

 Mommy went to the gift shop at Childrens Hospital on  the 22nd, saw me and adopted me. Since that day Ive been by Liam's side through a total of 9 hospital stays, 3 surgeries,  1 flight to UCSF, many many trips to the doctors offices, several pnuemonias and much more. We've been best friends from the start. Liam even gave me my name "Baba".

 

 

 

 

Liam's CDH Journey:
Mommies Blog  http://mommyconfessionalinmyshoes.blogspot.com
Liam's FB Page http://www.facebook.com/CherubLiam
Shooting For Liam CDH Awareness Page http://www.facebook.com/ShootingForLiam