Hope!

We have Hope! Hope that someday *sooner* rather than later Jimmie's beautiful face will be free from his tube. Hope that Jimmie will once again be able to suck and swallow. Hope that Jimmie will eat enough by mouth to grow on. Hope that was given to us today from the Lord through a new doctor who's initial is most appropriately "H"! (-:

Dr. H was exactly what Rachael has been looking for. They walked in to his small waiting room today and he ushered them back into a big room where they all just plopped down on the floor and played with Jimmie while they discussed everything. Dr. H. thought Jimmie looked wonderful. He saw no other issues with Jimmie developmentally other than his feeding problem. He charted Jimmie on the special preemie growth chart. Jimmie is tall and thin. He is in the 75th percentile in height (25 inches) and 10 percentile in weight (12lbs 3ozs). Dr. H. saw no problem with this and feels Jimmie will just naturally be a skinny kid. Dr. H. would like to see Rachael start fortifying again in the future for calcium purposes (for Jimmie's bones), but for now they will focus on weaning first.

The plan: (Yes folks there is finally A PLAN!!!!) Jimmie will go back on Zantac to make sure that indeed everything is healed and he's not hurting as they try to wean. Monday morning after Jimmie's 3:30am feed they will take out the tube. If after 12 hours Jimmie has taken absolutely nothing by mouth they will consult on the phone and possibly wait until the 18th hour before resorting to the tube again. They are to call Dr. H. before they put the tube back in though. He is not worried right now about a little bit of weight loss- only dehydration. Dr. H. feels this may take a few times of letting Jimmie go for 12 to 18 hours not taking in much- rehydrate and then try again. He is totally impressed with Rachael and feels completely confident weaning Jimmie this way with the kind of mother Rachael is. (Nothing gets by her! And I mean nothin!)

Dr. H's wife is an OT and she came in and looked at Jimmie while they were there and gave Rachael some great tips to help Jimmie regain his suck. Thus far, despite asking, this is the first time an OT has offered suggestions about this.

Dr. H. is not worried about Jimmie's brain-- the Neo's other places keep talking about how Jimmie isn't gaining fast enough and that this time right now is crucial for brain development and that he needs to be gaining better. Dr. H. says that because Rachael is exclusively breast feeding there is no need to worry about this at all. He says breast milk feeds the brain better than anything! This was so great for Rachael to hear and affirming of the way she's been thinking. He was very supportive and encouraging about Rachael's persistence with the breast milk!

As far as prognosis . .? Dr. H. says he has seen kids like Jimmie, but not very many. He says at Jimmie's age the right time is NOW! If they wait too much longer it just gets harder and harder. He said that as far as other attempts at weaning like this he's been moderately successful. We are hoping that Jimmie is a strike in his success column. This is not going to be easy for Jimmie or Rachael and Justin so please pray for strength. Pray that Jimmie's mind will be renewed by the Lord. Pray that Jimmie will be safe and healthy as well.

Hope is tasting very sweet today for Rachael and Justin. Rachael was so excited and relieved that she fought back tears throughout the appointment. We are grateful to Jimmie's wonderful pediatrician Dr. S. for finding and referring Jimmie to Dr. H.

Lets all really ramp up our efforts in prayer for Jimmie as they prepare for this weaning attempt. Thank you for fighting for Jimmie!

Love,
Amber