After my last depressing post about Sage, I really should have done better at updating how his Primary visits have been. But with these two crazy boys, work, and taking care of my house it's easy to not find the time.
Only a few days after that appointment at Primary's in November, I had to take Sage to his Dr for a nasty diaper rash. She asked how his weight was and I told her about what they had said about the scope and feeding tube. She asked why they never suggested probiotics to help with the runny poopy diapers. So we went home that day with cream for his rash and probiotics to add to meals to see if it would help. We also started ordering the Soy Bright Beginnings (a high calorie soy drink) on line, and his appetite stimulant.
Sage loved the new drink (it was vanilla flavored) and after a few days of taking the probiotics there was a definite good change in his bm's. We continued to add calories any way we could to low calorie meals, and just offering him high calorie snacks.
When Sage went to his 15 month and Nutrition appointments in December there showed a gain of a whole pound!!! To some this may not seem so fabulous. But when you've only seen gains of a few ounces in a months time, a whole pound seems like a miracle. The talk of a scope and feeding tube immediately was thrown out. He's still 0% for his weight, but he had proven he could gain weight. The dietitian said to just keep doing what we're doing and to come back in a month. We did leave Primary's with a prescription for antibiotics for a sinus infection.
After ten days of antibiotics Sage's nose was cleared, and his poor appetite from being sick seemed to be getting better. But within a couple days his nose was super stuffy with green snot so back to his Dr we went. She put him on another antibiotic, and Sky was put on one too for another sinus infection. His appetite remind poor and I was stressing pretty bad because he wasn't eating, and was starting to not want his drinks either. We finish that ten day course of antibiotics and Sage showed a little more interest in food again. But again that nasty green snot came back! Sage's Dr was booked that day, but she was the one working Kids Care that night, so we went to visit her there. Sage was put on a 5 day antibiotic that time. His weight that night was 17lbs 11oz and we had 1 1/2 weeks before going back to the Nutrition clinic. I had such high hopes of having him over 18lbs by then.
The day of his appointment came and we drove to Salt Lake feeling confident that we'd hear good news about his weight. We check in, get called back and Sage undressed, and get him weighed. For the second time at this scale in the few months we've been going I felt my heart drop. 17lbs 4oz. I walked back to our room and waited for the Dr, just wondering now what we'd do. I've tried so hard, and some meals end with me close to, or in tears because he won't eat and I'm letting it get to me. But then Dr. Jackson came in. And he told me the last thing I thought I'd hear. That Sage is still doing well. His weight gain was a good one. I mention the weight at Kids Care, and the 3 rounds of antibiotics, and Sage's barely eating and drinking. I tell him about taking the bottle away because the Dr I'd seen last month (I'm always supposed to see Jackson, but for some reason twice now I've seen a different Dr who isn't as understanding) and the dietitian not being thrilled that he was still having a bottle at his age. Dr. Jackson soothed all my worries. He reminded me that scales are calibrated differently, so his weight will be different at the different offices. He also reminded me that with his stuffy nose his sense of taste is off, which would be why he's not wanting to eat. And he told me that I am Sage's mom. And I know what is best for him. And if I think he'll do better with the bottle, then it doesn't matter how old he is. If' he'll get his needed calories through a bottle, I couldn't let anyone make me feel bad for still giving him one. And he told me that they would not judge Sage for his small gain this month because he had proven when he is healthy, and feeling well that he can gain weight. And he said we could come back in 2 months instead of 1! Next the dietitian came in to visit us. She said to continue feeding him as we have been. And suggested some drinks that have the high calorie content we need that can be bought from the store instead of on line, if it would be cheaper that way
Sage's nose is still runny, but not as bad and his appetite is coming back. We price compared and it's about the same whether we order drinks on line or buy from the store. We've decided to buy the ones at the stores, it's much more convenient and there are more flavor options which has been good for Sage. He was getting tired of Vanilla.
I never in my life could have imagined that most of my stress of being a mom right now would be because of the weight of my baby. I always knew I'd have a hard time with temper tantrums, setting rules, teaching my kids, and getting them to eat better then I do (i'm too picky). This has been a hard test for me. And I'm so grateful to our family who help care for Sage while Josh and I work. My kids have wonderful grandparents and aunts and uncles who help us. And Sage will usually eat better for them. And I am so grateful for wonderful friends who are in tune with the Spirit and followed their promptings to pray for and fast for Sage to gain weight. We are surrounded by the most amazing family and friends, and I will always love all of them and all they do for us.
