Mr. Xavier Meets Dr. Abbey
Hello to everyone.
Xavier met today with his official pediatrician, Dr. Nick Abbey. Dr. Abbey is a former UCH (University of Colorado Hospital) doctor who worked closely with the NICU. All those we spoke with while Xavier was in the hospital had nothing but glowing testimonies about Dr. Abbey.
We definitely like Dr. LaBlanc who saw Xavier his first two visits. We're not changing doctors, it's just that we have not met with Dr. Abbey before today because, apparently, he takes vacations and was on one these past two weeks. Dr. LeBlanc was filling in for Dr. Abbey.
Unfortunately, I did not get to meet Dr. Abbey today. I stayed home to assist in the replacement of the water tank which ruptured two weeks ago. Rebecca did say she liked him, so another good appraisal for him.
Xavier weighed in at 4 pounds, 14.8 ounces. (for those still wanting grams, that's 1841 grams). Xavier was brought into a different room today than his previous two visits. To weigh him, they took him (briefly) into the room he was in last time to use the scale in there. This way, they get consistent weights.
Dr. Abbey did take a look at a sample stool Xavier was happy to supply. He thinks it is a little lighter than it should be. Arg! I have not mentioned the results from Xavier's blood draw last week. The numbers came back unchanged from the previous three lab results. Xavier's direct bilirubin count is still in the 2.5 range (it should be less than 1). His hematocrit value still lower than it should be.
They took more blood from Xavier today, this time from a vein in his arm rather than a poke in the heel. They needed a little more blood for the labs they want to run.
Xavier has been gassy these last few days. Having read the ingredients in the formula, Rebecca says it's a recipe for anyone to be gassy. Whether that or some other reason, it has him off his feeding game quite a bit. He tries to eat, but the gas (not just in his stomach) greatly distresses him. It's taking longer to get him to take his bottles. He generally takes them, just over longer periods of time: an hour instead of :20 minutes.
One of the nurses at Saturday's Annual NICU Graduate Picnic suggested an over-the-counter drug called simethicone, which the NICU nurses use occasionally for gassy babies. Dr. Abbey suggested a particular pro-biotic which we started Xavier on this afternoon.
Praise be to God, Who always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus! Thank you all for your prayers.