Parenting is so good. And so rewarding. The love, the smiles, the laughter. Good times we will always cherish. But then, of course, there are the not-so-fun times. There are the daily challenges our kids present for us from the morning battle over which outfit to wear to the infamous two-year old tantrums. And then, there are the really difficult times that test our strength and take a toll on us. Thankfully, with the exception of the first three colicky months of L's life, we haven't really had any of these times. Until this past week...
By way of background, we've been working with a GI doctor at MUSC the past few months trying to work out Leighton's digestive issues. We had our third x-ray last Monday after another attempt using an at-home laxative treatment to cleanse out her GI tract. The doctor didn't like that Leighton still appeared to have a full colon (which is apparently abnormal) and potentially some sort of blockage. She asked that we admit her to MUSC Children's Hospital as soon as possible for a procedure to clear her out and run some tests. Taylor picked up L from school and took her down to the "doctor". Poor girl had no idea what she was getting into.
Leighton had to get an IV and NG tube inserted (from her nose, down her throat to her stomach... and no, she was not anesthetized or even numbed for this procedure, which had to be done a second time after it came out the first time). Without a doubt, this was the most difficult and gut-wrenching experience ever. It was torture watching Leighton go through what she did. There were hours of tears shed, but when it was all said and done, Leighton was such a trooper.
Day 3: Breakfast in bed with Daddy
Morning trip to radiation for another x-ray
Celebratory lunch (she can finally have food!) before being discharged
We spent three days in the hospital. It was an emotionally and physically draining experience for all of us, but we finally got her cleared out and started a medicine treatment in attempt to (hopefully) facilitate her intestines/colon to function properly in the future. Fortunately, the doctors ruled out all serious complications. The doctor believes it was a partial blockage she's had her entire life. She most likely couldn't feel the sensation of having to go and couldn't hold it even if she did. Poor girl. It sure has made finishing potty training a bit difficult but we're hoping this has helped turn things around.
A big thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers this past week, and to our family and friends who helped out during our hospital stay. It was a long week, but Leighton was an absolute trooper and we're happy to report that the procedure was a success and she's doing great! She's so proud of herself for being tough and, surprisingly, has already forgotten the bad parts of her hospital stay. We "celebrated" her toughness by visiting the Charleston Aquarium today, which she loved. So happy to see our little girl smiling again!
Pre-procedure in hospital room
Melts my heart every single time I watch it.
Melts my heart every single time I watch it.
Leighton had to get an IV and NG tube inserted (from her nose, down her throat to her stomach... and no, she was not anesthetized or even numbed for this procedure, which had to be done a second time after it came out the first time). Without a doubt, this was the most difficult and gut-wrenching experience ever. It was torture watching Leighton go through what she did. There were hours of tears shed, but when it was all said and done, Leighton was such a trooper.
Day 1: post NG tube insertion
Day 2: LOTS of ice and popsicles (in lieu of food for three days)
Sweet girl still managed some smiles after a 3 hr afternoon nap
Making the best of this hospital stay with probably her 50th popsicle and 20th showing
of the The Little Mermaid movie (or "Mermaid" as she called it)
of the The Little Mermaid movie (or "Mermaid" as she called it)
Happy Wheels delivers toys to kids' rooms.
L picked out a babydoll and named her Juju, like her friend from school.
L picked out a babydoll and named her Juju, like her friend from school.
A big thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers this past week, and to our family and friends who helped out during our hospital stay. It was a long week, but Leighton was an absolute trooper and we're happy to report that the procedure was a success and she's doing great! She's so proud of herself for being tough and, surprisingly, has already forgotten the bad parts of her hospital stay. We "celebrated" her toughness by visiting the Charleston Aquarium today, which she loved. So happy to see our little girl smiling again!
