February 14, 2011

First of all, thanks to Jaela's cousin Kate for sharing her cute pj's. She loves them!

Second, thanks to Grammy for the love bug for Valentine's Day

Third, thanks to Grandma Diane for the cute hair bow

We talked with the doctors today and have decided a "permanent" feeding tube in her side is the best thing for all of us. Jaela still only eats about 10 ml every three hours which isn't enough to even maintain her weight. We considered just keeping the tube in her nose, but we'd have to learn how to put it in and it gags her horribly when it's inserted. It's also possible to get it down the wrong tube and it could end up in her lungs instead of her stomach which would be a horrible place to be pumping fluids. And if she happens to pull it out while food is pumping in, the fluid will fill her airways. We just didn't feel comfortable with all that risk. It's about a 20 minute surgery to get the line in her side and it's only considered permanent because we don't have to replace it. If within a couple months she can eat everything by mouth then the tube can come out. The equipment will lay almost flush with her skin and when we feed her we'll hook some tubing in and a machine will pump the fluid into her stomach. We'll consult with the surgeon within the next couple days and he'll give us more information.

Jaela got more spikes today courtesy of Jeremy's spit..... again......