My bags are packed, the children are prepared, and we are almost ready. I’ve put credit on all my devices, packed Evelyn’s favourite books and socks, and spare clothes for me.
Sadly, we’re not going on holiday, or anywhere fun. Instead, Evelyn is being admitted to RHH tomorrow for a week to teach her how to eat. A team of nurses and a speech therapist will be at hand to watch Evelyn feeding, offer suggestions and take over where necessary. We’ll be working on cutting down her breastfeeds to almost nothing, while upping her intake of real food and milk from a cup or bottle.
Today, the plan is that we’ll be getting gate leave each night to come home and sleep in our own bed, before heading back to the hospital every morning. I’m hoping this is the plan we get to keep. There’s really nothing worse than sleeping on a hospital recliner.
I’m not looking forward to it, frankly. But it’s a good plan – the best plan under the circumstances, and my dread is a selfish thing. Dread of having to keep an energetic opinionated toddler entertained for long hours with no one to give me a break.
I looked at Nathan the other day and said “but what if she eats really well in the hospital?”
That’s my biggest fear. That we’ll get in there and she will be amazing, taking all her nutrition easily.
Nathan reminded me that she won’t be good for an entire week. No matter how much novelty is to be found in a new highchair (she detests hers) and new people, she won’t keep it up for the whole time.
He has a good point.
She’ll also be having more bloods taken, one lot to do a genetic screen, just in case there is something there we’re overlooking, and standard iron/vitamin D/liver function tests again. Hopefully her anaemia has resolved with the last few months of iron supplements.
So, that’s where I’ll be for the next week. In and out of the hospital with Evelyn. Again.
Hopefully at the end of it all Evelyn will be eating enough real food to avoid an NG tube. We’re not even interested in getting her to eat textures yet, just to eat enough purees to survive without breastmilk.
Wish us luck.
good luck. I’ll be thinking of you as we trundle back and forth during our own gate leave period. I understand your fear over her proving you wrong.
Good luck Veronica. I hope E does well and that you get to keep your gate leave! Kx
I’ll say a prayer for you all, and cross my fingers that she learns everything she needs to learn. Hang in there Mama, you’re doing a great job.
Good luck, good luck, I hope the outcome is the best that it can be.
Good luck mate, keep your eye on the prize through the tough times. She’s lucky to have you as a mum. x
Fingers crossed for some concrete results.
We always knew that your smooshy faced little one was going to be gloriously different.
Oh the poor baby. I’m so sorry. I know you will be working very hard, and so will Nathan. I sure hope you can avoid the tube and that the staff is wonderful and caring. I am also worried about the same thing you are and I hope there will NOT be an in and out of the hospital thing. Prayers for clarity for all. And hugs!!!
If she eats well in hospital then at least you know for sure that she does know how and is refusing you at home just because she can. Or something.
Do you have a low chair and table that she can sit at instead of the high chair that she hates so much? I know that once mine got to be walking around they preferred a low chair pulled up to the coffee table.
Fingers crossed for avoiding the NG tube and no anaemia.
Wishing you well as you embark on the next week…
Hoping for a good outcome for you all.
All the best for the hospital stay, Veronica. Hope it all goes smoothly and that the NG tube won’t be necessary. And yes, hopefully you will get to sleep in your own bed every night… so hard to get a decent night’s sleep in hospital!
Will be thinking of you both hon. Good luck! xx
Wishing you, hope that all goes well, with good solutions and outcomes – and resilience to you, to bear it all-
I hope someone is able to make you laugh, sometime, during this time, just to alleviate the stress of it, and how serious it is.
Hope all that you need comes to you at this time.
And- yes, you are truly a good mum and always doing a terrific job, as a parent.
Wishing you, your daughter and your family the best of luck during these times.
Best wishes for a successful week. As an outsider I am impressed that your healthcare system is arranging this… not sure ours would. I’m sorry that it will be such a hard week for you, but hoping you and Evelyn can enjoy some good times together this week. My third never got much one-on-one time with me.
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