Grow, Baby, Grow!

Will is finally gaining some weight. In addition to the GI bleeding, he has been unable to keep most of his food down. So, that means he has not gained much weight since birth. Well, several things have been done to help him keep more of his food down. Will is on a special prescription formula, his feedings are through an NG tube that goes through his nose direct to his stomach, the feedings are given very slowly (over 2 hrs. or so), he is on prescription antacids to help minimize the reflux and he is kept propped up at a 45 degree angle all the time. The test that was done last week showed without question that Will does need the stomach "wrap" procedure. This surgery will be done on Tuesday (not sure of time yet) when the G tube is put in. During the procedure they do some funky twist thing to the stomach to make the opening of the esophagus smaller. This combined with getting the NG tube out of there should allow the epiglottis to function more normally and close like it should keeping the food in the stomach where it belongs. Whewwww.....and once all that is done, Will's next big job is learning how to suck and swallow! Poor little guy has his work cut out for him. Most babies have the G tube until they are 6 to 12 months old. Let's pray that Will is a quick study and can get rid of that thing ahead of schedule!