The Hospital

Well, every new mommy worries about their baby. Is she eating too much? Is she eating too little? Why won't the pediatrician listen to my concerns? My worst fear came true when my daughter was hospitalized. I had taken her to the emergency room at out local children's hospital on the Tuesday due to diarrhea and vomiting (wow--who knew how much can come out of such a little belly???). They sent her home saying it was viral. We missed M's much coveted allergist appointment to go the emergency room. And we got no advice out of it except to continue feeding her a normal diet. The emerg physician was quite empathetic though. His 2 yr old had been on a feeding tube for 6 mts and the doctors could not help him, either. The dr finally took his son off of wheat and his issues resoleved. Hmmm. But, he could not help M. Hmmm.... I took her to the specialist the next day who recommended admitting M to the children's ward of the hospital. I could not help myself, I started to cry. The doctor advised me to put M. on a hypoallergenic, pre-digested formula and perhaps a miracle would happen and she would not need to be admitted. I said I preferred that option, hoping for the miracle. Well, M. stopped eating the next day and barely drank the formula. Two days later, she was admitted to the hospital as a crisis admit with dehydration and lethargy. My baby was put on an IV and subjected to all sorts of intrusive tests. The good newz is, all the really scary stuff was ruled out. She was put on two medications for reflux, the working theory of diagnosis. However, after the 4th resident took her history from me yet again, they realized that there may be a family history of gluten intolerance.

Fat malabsorption (the lack of absorption of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients in your food, due to a variety of causes, one of which is celiac disease) still needs to be ruled out. Since M. had reacted to barley cereal (barley has gluten) I had taken it out of her diet. So, after the doctors all concluded that I can feed her wheat/gluten for a day before giving her the blood test and me arguing with them that she needs a build-up of gluten in her system for a positive test, it was decided to give her the blood test in about a month, as an out-patient. The doctors also still believe that M. has allergies, but they would not do the testing in the hospital. Her out-patient appt is next week. Interesting theories, since I took M. to the pediatrician months ago concerned she had reflux. He would not even discuss it. M. is fine, is what he said. I took M. back to the pediatrician and told him I think she has allergies. M. is fine, is how he responded. He advised that allergy testing cannot be done before a child is two yrs. Interesting, since she is being tested next week at 8 mts of age.

Since discharge, M. is a different little girl. She smiles all the time. No more hours of crying, arching her back, eating massive amounts of food, diarrhea or vomiting. Developmentally, she is making leaps and bounds. She now says mama, stands and is trying to both crawl and walk. I am very angry that M. had to suffer for so long before I found a doctor that believed me and was willing to try and diagnose M. I suspect M. was in a lot more pain that anyone realized. Yesterday, someone said that M. just looks so much more relaxed now. To think, she could have been happy, relaxed and pain-free at only a few months old if only....

I have learned so much from this experience:

1) When the going gets rough, you really see who cares about you and your family.

2) It is important to have a support circle, and accept help such as offers of food and company.

3) Mommy knows best! If you think there is an issue with your child, don't stop until you find someone who will listen to you. If the pediatrician won't listen, go to your family doctor. If the family doctor won't listen, to to a walk-in clinic. There are even children's walk-in clinics!!! The one in Toronto, ON is at 1100 Sheppard Ave, near Leslie.

4) If you child is ill, the first inclination is to take him/her to the local children's hospital. Well, all of the sickest of children go there too, so your child will be prioritized accordingly. If you take your child to a regular hospital, your child may get priority status just for being a child. M. was admitted to a non-children's hospital and got excellent care.

5) You need to be your child's case manager. Keep a log of all your concerns on a day-to-day basis ie how much and what child has eaten, how many times and how much your child has pooped/peed, any behaviours, etc. Keep a list of all drs, trips to the emergency room, medications and dosages. Always carry it with you. I use a little notebook I got at the dollar store. Don't expect the doctor(s) to coordinate baby's care.

6) When your child is always not feeling well, it is difficult to ascertain what is a behaviour and what is just your child's temperament. If your child seems unhappy a lot, ie crying, vomitting, etc. don't just assume it is colic or her temperament. Rule out any possible medical issues.