Introducing Doctor Number Six

Clare is seeing yet another new doctor tomorrow. Not counting her eye and ear doctors (who we only see once a year), Clare is meeting doctor #6 - a pediatric GI specialist.

Clare had her follow-up with the geneticist today. He is pleased with her overall progress, but is very concerned about her poor weight gain. We were so excited a couple weeks ago that she had gained a few ounces, but now her weight has plateaued again (she has not gained any weight since that appointment). Since she has been eating solids for a few weeks now, the doctor is surprised and concerned that she has not gained any more weight, especially since she is now two months post-surgery. So we have a referral to the GI doctor. Luckily, he had an opening tomorrow, so we are getting in right away. We have applied to the State (through Clare's Early Intervention provider) to have a swallow specialist and nutritionist come out to the house to take a look at Clare, but hopefully this will make things go faster. (Although we are extremely grateful for all the free services provided to us, it does take forever to get anything accomplished through the State.)

I am kind of stumped as to what the plan will be from here. We are trying to up Clare's caloric intake through solids, but she will only eat so much. We are having a little more success with the sippy cup, but not enough to supplement. And I personally feel that Clare nurses ALL THE TIME! The geneticist is concerned that Clare is not properly absorbing the nutrients. So we await what the GI says...