The feedings and medicine dosages continue, and the results are showing! Despite a few feeding challenges that we remediated with a dosage change in the reflux medicine, Julia hit seven pounds this week! Okay – full disclosure: her actual weight at the cardiologist visit was 6 pounds 15.8 ounces, but she was so close to the seven pound mark that we all decided to round up. Yeah, she didn’t technically hit the mark, but we’re trying on a little optimism.
It’s an important emotional muscle to exercise at a time like this. It keeps you connected to the reality that God can do much more than you think. Case in point: Julia woke up coughing this morning after a lot of feeding issues the day before. My dad brain starts going through the possibilities: Is it the reflux? Is it congestion normally found in kids with Down Syndrome? Or is it the beginnings of an upper respiratory thing that could endanger her progress and her life?
In my fatigue, I sat in our living room and scratched out a prayer in my journal asking God for her protection. Hoping for the best, but giving a nod to the darker possibilities – it’s a tension I sit in regularly. But with the encouragement of friends, I am doing my best to “round up” and expect the better of challenges like these.
Turns out that the adjustment in the reflux drugs ordered (via e-mail – love the connectedness!) by our pediatrician are working and her feedings are much, much more comfortable. Relief is hers – and ours. Whether or not you buy the idea that God moved through all of the suffering of the world and actually intervened in our tiny little story, you have to agree that our optimism wasn’t completely unfounded. I gotta try this rounding up thing more often.
One Response
oh dear brother, you have joined the ranks of the sleepless worrying parents. When the kids get straight A’s, I worry that the grade inflation won’t prepare them for real life. When it’s quiet in the house at 2 am – I still check to see if Zach is breathing. Go back and read your blog that bravely stated “bring it on”. These small confusing messages sent by your daughter that send your mind into worst case scenarios could be part of the “on”. She has you in the palm of her little hand, so reach over to Jocelyn, whose feet may be temporarily grounded. It’s the wonder, and necessity of two parents. One, usually has a reserve when the other is a bit shaky. Luckily we never run out of emotions.