Closer to home

We have moved back to Providence Hospital where the studies have begun to repair Quinn's stomach problems.

His first day in Providence was eventful and pretty much forgettable. Quinn performed a second self extraction of his nasal feeding tube (the one shown in the previous post) the first night there. And the tube penetrating into the side of his abdomen was found to have worked it's way out of his stomach at some point as well. Doctors discovered this by running the barium liquid through that particular tube to follow his digestive flow with x-ray. The barium chemical didn't go into his stomach however. It was instead pushed into his abdomen tissues, which causes a painful reaction. Quinn quickly became livid. Steph and I were told to watch him closely, as the barium chemical could cause infection being outside of his digestive system, and flowing freely throughout his abdomen. If he is in considerable pain for more than a day, it would likely mean infection. Quinn cried hard and flailed for hours, but thankfully he appears to have avoided an infection. The tube in his side, discovered useless, was removed leaving him with only IV fluids to maintain him until he could somehow be fed again.

After some additional X-rays and discussions among the doctors, it was decided to try feeding Quinn by mouth in very small amounts to see how he handles it.

He drinks less than a tablespoon of milk every three hours. If he shows he can handle the milk, his doses will increase until he is eating enough to fuel a healthy growing baby. That is the best case scenario. For now, it is a little milk, and IV supplements. He is taking his time getting use to a bottle. He sucks on it, but seems surprised that milk appears in his mouth. He contemplates before each swallow.

The staff here also has no luck getting new lines into Quinn, but like in Boston, it doesn't keep the staff from trying.

If only he had bigger veins. I still grit my teeth a little watching him get stuck for the ten billionth time, hoping they'll get it in successfully. I have yet to see a successful attempt. I must be bad luck Quinn.

I am back to working a full five days a week, and I'm certain I won't have as much time to update this as I have in the past. Now begins the job of having a newborn and needing my own sleep so I can work. No more waiting until everyone is asleep so I can grab a computer and type away. This is a subtle hint Steph, ye' who seldom updates anymore. I will never get over the way so many people have come to follow my sons progress and try to ease the emotional burden for my family. I should mention the help with financial burden as well. It's a bit of an odd feeling for me trying to accept money from people, especially one's we don't really know. But whatever doesn't go to the hospital bills, Quinn has a college fund started. I can't thank you all enough. It has surprised me at how much I truly appreciate such enormous and selfless support.

That's quite an impressive fan base you got there young man.