February 24, 2010

We took Gabrielle for another visit at the CF Clinic today, this was our third visit this month. She is on day 9 of 14 with this round of Augmentin for her coughing and lung stuff. The doctors heard her cough and were concerned. The felt that the Augmentin should have already taken care of the bacteria in her lungs and reduced her cough back to her normal level. They told us that we need to call them if her cough has not returned to normal in the next couple days. They said there is a chance that there are some bacterial that the Augmentin is not working on.

The main concern that they have had from the beginning is her weight and nutrition. Since the beginning of this year it has become more of a focus. Gabrielle has not gained and maintained her weight since the first of the year. At her January 6th visit she weighed 18lbs 10oz today (2/24) she weighed 18lbs 14oz. Between these visits her weight has gone up and down like a roller coaster. Gabrielle’s appetite has also fluctuated mainly because she has been sick 3 times since the beginning of this year. Based on Gabrielle’s history with her weight, illnesses, appetite, reflux, and other things the doctors feel that she is heading in the direction of needing a G-tube (feeding tube) for additional feedings during the night. They began talking with us about this today and gave us some information to look over.

In an attempt to get Gabrielle to gain weight we have once again changed her formula. We are changing to Boost Kids Essentials 1.5. This formula has 45 calories per ounce. Her previous formula only had 30 calories per ounce, normal infant formula has 22 calories per ounce. We are on a trial basis for 2 weeks to see how it affects her. If she has a dramatic increase in weight and appetite we can delay any further discussion of the G-tube. However, if there is not a satisfactory change then we will continue to have discussions about the G-tube and will have to make a decision at some point.

If WE decide to allow Gabrielle to have a G-tube then there is another procedure to help reduce/control reflux that may need to be done at the same time.

Please pray for Gabrielle to finish recovering from this cough/lung stuff by Monday (3/1) and for her to have a great response to the new formula so we don’t have to continue the G-tube discussions.

In Christ,

Jeff, Ashley, and Gabrielle.