Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Eli's Health Updates

As many of you know, our sweet little Eli has had his fair share of major digestive problems since birth. If you just want the newest updates, just skip to the section titled “Updates.” I’ll give some background for anyone else who is interested.


BACKGROUND:

Since Eli would not nurse, we tried to give him formula to supplement my pumped milk. Yet, without fail, he would vomit, have severe diarrhea and would cry for days on end. This is true no matter what formula, and even when given in the smallest amounts (i.e. ½ ounce/day). We tried formula with predigested proteins, elemental formula, corn-free formula….nothing worked. Our sweet boy would cry for DAYS without letting up to even sleep for more than a few minutes at a time. We would pass him from person to person, bouncing that poor boy in our arms, trying to give him some relief. Then he even began vomiting my milk.

By a miracle, we got into an allergist right away. She but me on an extreme elimination diet and he improved within 4 or 5 days. We were thrilled! We were also sent to a GI doctor to see if there was evidence of some other GI problems. He said blood in the stool was consistent with a food allergy and we should proceed with that in mind. He recommended another formula that he said was sure to work.

We tried the formula a few days later. Terrible reaction. I was on the phone to the doctor right away. He said that was impossible. Those were his words: impossible. So we tried it again a few days later. Same terrible reaction.

Long story short: we ended up in the emergency room shortly after for a dehydrated and sick baby. Everything seemed to make him sick. Even Tylenol. But no one had any clue why.

We finally made it into a highly recommended GI doctor at the end of December. She decided to biopsy his small bowel and check for other causes. We waited anxiously for the results.



UPDATES:

His doctor called on Friday morning to deliver the news. It was mixed. She told us Eli has “severe food sensitivities.” In lay terms, most people would call them allergies, although they are not IgE mediated, which is the mark of a "true" allergy (the kind that causes anaphylaxis). Instead, they have an unknown cause. Not comforting for a mother who wants all the current research!

The game plan: I need to remain on a very restricted diet, eating only those foods that Eli hasn’t had a reaction too. He can have breast milk only. Then, at 9 months, we can try to introduce some limited solids. If he responds poorly, he will likely begin supplementation through an IV to meet his nutritional needs. This will last until he can take in enough foods on his own. She said most kids are okay by 10 years old, but that doesn’t give us a lot of short-term comfort!

The good news: he probably won’t have this for life! That’s better than we were expecting! Also, we are INCREDIBLY grateful that we know how to keep him well in the short term. These are both huge positives in our book!

We feel exceptionally grateful to have such good medical care and so much support. But we’re just taking things one day at a time and hoping and praying for good outcomes. Reminds me of the saying "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans." Ha! So true...

For the curious, my diet can consist of the following foods only:

  • Oats, Barley, Rice
  • Grapes, Apples, Bananas
  • Avocado
  • Pork products, Chicken, Turkey
  • Potatoes – white and sweet
  • Some oils
  • Sugar, honey
  • Some limited additional fruits and vegetables (carrots, broccoli, spinach and other ones I’ve had success with in the past)

Never have I been more grateful for all the weird foods at Whole Foods!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

What an amazingly blessed and difficult year it has been! We hope you all are finding the peace and joy and hope that surround this season.

Here in the Thatcher house, we’ve had our share of adventures this past year. Steve and I started the year off by taking a spontaneous trip to Paris! It was undeniably one of the most enjoyable times of my life. As the capstone to a wonderful trip, we found out we were expecting another baby on the night we returned!

The pregnancy was both difficult and complicated, but we joyfully welcomed Eli Daniel Thatcher as the newest member of our family on August 13th – 10 weeks early! After about 7 weeks in the NICU, our little miracle came home to us at the end of September. He is still having some health issues, but he is doing great. He smiles easily and often. We still can’t believe he is ours!

Meanwhile, Steve started a new job as an intern assistant principal at a local junior high. I’ve never seen him more satisfied in a job. He also continues to be a playful dad and delightful husband, keeping me on my toes with all his new interests and projects.

This year has been fun for Ben too! He started pre-pre-school this fall (yes, both “pre”s are intentional). He LOVES it. He is such a social and adventurous kid and thrives in an active environment. He is also officially potty trained! The most fun thing for us, however, has been to watch him take on the role of big brother. It has been trying at times, but he’s risen to the challenge and been his sweet, understanding self more often than not. What a champ.

My folks have also taken up temporary residence here in Utah to help with the kids. My mom arrived here the day I was hospitalized – perfect timing, as usual. Ben has become Papa’s right hand man and has thoroughly enjoyed the extra attention. I have never, ever, ever been more grateful for my astonishing and generous parents. We truly could not do this without their help.

In all of this, we have felt the guiding hand of God. We know our lives have been uniquely blessed. Although we have faced some tough challenges this year, when I stop to think about just how numerous our blessings have been, I am floored.

Sending love and prayers to all of you who we love so dearly. Thank you for making our lives rich and whole.

Much love,

Amy, Steve, Ben and Eli


A few pictures to make up for 8 months of not posting....

Welcome to the world, Baby Eli!



"Kangaroo Care" - Skin to skin contact is important for preemies


Just a few weeks in and looking worlds better!



Dad and Ben


Excited Ben, as usual


Ben welcomes his little brother home.


Papa and Ben watching the diggers outside our house


One of Eli's goofy grins


Look at that cute little dimple!


Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Bean Box

Sure, it's almost summer and this post has lost (most of) its relevance, but I thought I'd share a quick pic of our "bean box" for all of you looking for fun indoor ideas when the weather is bad.

It's just a big plastic bin filled with dried black beans. Costs approximately $20 and we've had hours and hours of fun with it! Just be sure to have a broom handy at the end of the day!




Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Project Sandbox: Complete!

I keep meaning to update our blog, but you know how it goes...

Anyway, I am writing because I am so stinking excited about my newest project:



Yes, that's a sandbox! And, yes, I made it!

Ben is quite the digger, so I knew I wanted to get him sandbox for the summer (my garden is already thanking me). However, the majority of the ones in the store (and on KSL.com and Craigslist) were super tiny! We're talking one kid max. Not what I had in mind.

Of the few sandboxes I found that could accommodate more kids, the cheapest one was around $100 - WITHOUT the sand. Again, not my idea of a great find.

So I dried out some old wood we had piled in the yard, threw a few nails and brackets in, and the wrapped (most of it) in weed barrier for splinter protection and to ensure no leakage (probably an unnecessary step). I then ran by Home Depot and picked up some washed play sand and VOILA! A super cheap and super handy sandbox!

He is actually out there as I write. I can't get that little sweetheart to come inside!

If you are now inspired to make a sandbox, I have lots more wood just waiting for you! Or just come play in ours!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

A Miraculous Two Years!

Two years ago tonight, I went into labor with our sweet little Ben. What we didn't know then is that he would be the greatest joy in our lives.

Ben, my heart is so full that I could gush for hours about what you mean to us. You are everything!

Some of the MANY things I love about you:

*You are more enthusiastic than anyone I know! You love trains, balls, fire engines, "big trucks" saying "bless you," reading books, going to child care at the gym - there isn't much you don't like!

*You ask for "mama hugs" when you're trying to get out of going to bed.

*You don't know what it means to walk! Life is so fun for you that running is the only appropriate means to get anywhere.

*You give kisses and hugs liberally.

*You start everyday with a banana.

*You love to sing and dance! Twinkle, Twinkle and The ABC song are your favorites at the moment.

*You have incredible empathy. "Sad baby!"

*You are incredibly gentle with other people and with animals.

The list could go on forever.

Ben, you make our lives complete. Thank you for the pure joy and hope you have brought into this world. You have our hearts.

Happy Birthday, Little Man!

October 7, 2008



Friday, July 30, 2010

Who are you calling trashy?


Today is trash day for us, so as I was pulling our seemingly light trash can out to the curb this morning, I realized something: WE ONLY HAD ONE BAG OF TRASH FOR THE WHOLE WEEK!

The recycling bin, on the other hand, was overflowing. But the real magic seems to be that we've starting a composting bin! Who knew we were throwing away so much vegetable and plant matter?!

Banana peels, pineapple skins, old potatoes, watermelon rinds, corn husks, tomato vines...it was all going to waste! And to think we'll have soft, nutrient rich compost to add to our soil when we start planting the garden again next spring.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Gardens and Decals and Decks, Oh My!

We love having a home! It's been a great joy for all of us. Ben loves having a yard! It's quite large and it's fenced, so he can wander to his heart's desire. And it goes without saying that Steve and I love having our own space!

Since we moved into our home, we've been busy getting settled and doing a few projects.

Below: Steve built us an HD antenna - which will be great if we ever have a moment to watch shows!


Below: Our room was originally a dark forest green, so we lightened up the walls and added some wall art to open the space up.

Below: We have a garden! We built these grow boxes on the side of our house and followed the square foot gardening method for tomatoes, cantaloupe, winter squash, carrots, corn, basil, yellow bell peppers, Serrano peppers, green beans, carrots, swiss chard....oh, how I long for the harvest! Let's hope it works!

We now want everyone to come over and play! Bring your kiddos and we'll let them run through the sprinklers and play on the slide! Deal?