Well, our first week at home has been full of stress. Last night takes the cake though as Jeff and I performed CPR on Maddox, called 911, rode in an ambulance and were admitted to Cook Children's Hospital in Ft. Worth. It was the scariest thing Jeff and I have ever gone through. I'm not sure how much more of this we can take, in all honesty.
We have spent the past week, up most nights, taking turns with a screaming and vomiting baby. Jeff took Maddox to the ER Christmas Eve because he was retracting more while breathing. We have had three home health nursing visits, a cardiologist appointment, a visit with our pediatrician, as well as blood tests drawn, and several trips to the pharmacy, all in the past week, only to end up back in the hospital. We will most likely be here for a few days trying to sort out what is going on. Jeff and I think it is all related to his feeding issues. Maddox has bad reflux and a milk protein intolerance and so yesterday when he stopped breathing he had been starting to throw up, but somewhere in the process he stopped breathing, clenched his jaw and started turning blue.
I started screaming for Jeff to come and call 911, and then we started doing chest compressions and trying to breath for Maddox. We did it for close to a minute, but he started to respond and while Jeff continued to do some chest compressions, I got a nasal syringe and started trying to suck out the vomit from the back of his throat. By the time the paramedics got to our house he was breathing but still blue and lethargic.
We are hoping and praying that we can figure out the reflux problem and help this poor baby to tolerate his feeds so that the vomiting is no longer an issue, and hopefully he won't have another episode like last night.
Seriously Jeff and I are close to having a mental breakdown. Please continue to pray for Maddox that he will grow and develop and heal from the ordeals he has already had in his short life. We need the Lord's help to be able to handle the challenges of our new life with Maddox.
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Oh I am so sorry. What a scary nightmare of a night. I am just so sorry.... I really do know firsthand how awful those days are. Is there any discussion of feeding him to his intestines instead of his stomach? They can do a G-J port on his G tube and that bypasses most of the reflux issues all together until his muscles are strong enough to keep his food down. At least that way he might be able to get his tube feeds without reflux problems while you slowly build up to working on oral feeds again.
ReplyDeleteI wish you lived a little closer! We have a ton of extra prescription formula with the fats and proteins broken down already that we are not using. Hang in there. How frustrating to be at a new hospital with new staff that do not know Maddox and understand his unique challenges.
Please know our prayers continue to be with you and the medical staff. Once you get the kinks worked out, it really does get better I promise!!
How scarey. Sounds like a very stressful time for you all right now. We will continue to pray and fast for you. We hope things start to come easier for you and that Maddox will improve. Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteWe love you!!!! Let us know if there is anything we can do!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Alissa, I am so sorry. I was hoping that since you guys were home now that things would start to get better. I'm glad that Maddox is okay. We will definetely be fasting and praying for you guys. (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteOh I forgot to say I love the new picture! Definetely a Dixon, what a cute boy!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry...what a horrible thing to go trough. We will keep you and your family in prayer.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable little fellow you've got there. That is a beautiful picture of him. I am sorry things have been so rough. I hoped that you were over the worst of it. Nevertheless, you have come a long way together. You will make it. We will be praying for you and fasting for you as well. Take care. We love you and hope that some of these challenges be overcome soon.
ReplyDeleteAlissa, I'm so sorry to hear about the night you had to go through. Is Maddox doing better? What happended after you got to the hospital? When Kelsey finished saying our family prayer tonight Austin turned to her and said "you forgot to pray for Maddox." Colby and I thought it was pretty cute that Austin was thinking about him. We'll keep praying. I know you can do this. I can't think of a better person to handle this then you.
ReplyDeleteDear Jeff and Alissa,
ReplyDeleteMaddox is a gorgeous baby, thanks for sharing that picture. It gives me goosebumps to see a photo to this little brave heart.
You guys are dealing with more than any family or child should have to handle. I imagine most of us (supporters/friends/family) search for the right words to bring you comfort. I do, and I just remember some of the hard moments in our life we looked only a moment ahead and just deal with what was right in front of us. It is just too much to handle sometimes.
I am confindent Maddox finds great comfort in your presence. We will be thinking and praying for all of you, for your strength, peace, and comfort.
Hugs,
Brita Dietzel
Oh wow you guys have been through so much . Amazing we are praying for you all
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that the transition home has been difficult. I can't imagine how much strength is requires to handle these tremedous trials. Sometimes taking it minute by minute requires all of your faith. Hang in there, and know that your family is in the hearts and prayers of friends all over the country and world!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE his new photo. What a beautiful boy Guys.
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe you had to do CPR on your baby. I can' even fathom....