First off, Flara's prayer request. Flara has been receiving Synagis vaccinations to help protect her from RSV. RSV is a nasty respiratory virus that affects most kids before they turn the age of 2, but can be very serious for former preemies. Two weeks ago, we allowed Noël to return to her Sunday School class because she was dying for interaction with her friends. She would run to her classroom every week and try to crawl over the gate into the room. It was sad each time we had to tell her she couldn't join in on the fun. By Tuesday following the Sunday that we had allowed her back in, she had a runny nose. The clear gunk turned to thick yellow gunk, but never seemed to migrate into her lungs. Her pediatrician informed us to give her Mucinex to help her out and to let the bug run its course. This weekend, Flara's nose started running despite our absolute best efforts to keep the house completely sanitized. We found out today at her checkup that Flara is in fact RSV positive. =(
Because RSV is a virus, all we can do is keep close watch over her. We are to keep using the saline drops and bulb syringe to keep her passages clear, but we will have to start breathing treatments should her symptoms change at all. If the bug does get into her lungs, it would be very probable that it would result in a hospitalization for Flara. PLEASE pray against this!
Since today was her 4 month checkup, she did have to get her immunizations. Boo. I never felt bad having Noël receive hers, but then, the girl never cried once during ANY of her shots or blood draws. Yes, she's big stuff! Poor little Flara has suffered enough meanness that I didn't want her to have to go through anymore. Boy, did she ever cry. That really broke her mommy's heart.
As of today, she is 19 1/2 inches long and 7 pounds 7 ounces. She's really doing much better weight-wise, so we are very much pleased! We stopped one of her reflux meds today and are going to keep the Zantac going for a bit longer. Her heart murmur was still present, so we will be following with a cardiologist soon.
One big possible revelation... I've been thinking Flara has a short tongue and a thick, short frenulum (the little rubber band looking thingy attached to the base of your tongue). I was noticing that she never sticks her tongue out beyond her gum line and makes a little 'click' sound when eating. Also, when she does nurse or bottle-feed, she is very ineffective at getting any milk out. It dawned on me a few days ago... the stupid laymen's term of being 'tongue-tied.' If that were the case, it would explain the 'ineffective sucking' I describe her eating habits as, as well as explain the poor weight gain. I asked her pediatrician about it this morning, and he agreed that it does look 'tight.' So, Flara is going to see an ENT doctor to have it evaluated. If that doctor agrees, she will have a very quick procedure to clip it. It will enable her to move her tongue out the way that it needs to, so she would much more easily be able to get her milk!
I think that sums up all that happened today. =)
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