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October 2011 Moms
Abby update (long)
Hi girls -- I've been MIA for the past 2.5-3 weeks because there's been a lot going on with Abby. I posted last on November 4th about Abby's cataracts and that night, we ended up in the NICU at the local children's hospital, for what would be a 5-day stay.
On the afternoon of November 4th, we went to take Abby to get blood drawn for routine lab tests related to her cataracts. Long story short, she ended up having breathing difficulty and her oxygen saturation dropped into the 60s (which, it's supposed to be in the 90s), and we were taken by ambulance to the chidlren's hospital. In the hospital, we were seen by many specialists, including ENT, plastic surgeon, genetictist, and opthamologist. The result of her stay was that she likely has a very rare genetic disorder called Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome, which for Abby, means that she has a small, recessed chin, small lower jaw, cataracts, and a few other symptoms. The result of her small chin and lower jaw is that her tongue is too big for her mouth and often will fall back and block her airway. We're hopeful that she will not require any major medical interventions and she will grown into her chin and jaw. For right now, we have to position her a certain way for feeding and she has to lay on her side or stomach for sleeping.
So, fast forward to yesterday, November 22nd -- her first cataract surgery. The ENT was in on the surgery, to scope her trachea and windpipe to determine if there were any structural abnormalities. Turns out that her epiglotis is short and her trachea is somewhat "floppy", which also affects her breathing. However, nothing can be done about these. The cataract portion of the surgery went great. Abby gets out of surgery and we get to meet her in the post-op area, where we were supposed to be discharged from to go home. Did that happen, NOPE! We were in post-op and I started to BF, since she hadn't eaten in 8 hours. Well, her oxygen stauration started to drop again, so they admitted us to inpatient to be monitored. She had a couple more epsidoes of desaturation and we ended up having to give her oxygen while she was feeding (whether it was BFing or FFing for supplement). This morning we tried feeding without oxygen and she did great -- back to normal. The doctors believe it was just a result of anethesia and pain meds that made her groggy and she wasn't abole to coordinate sucking, breathing, and swallowing. So luckily, we were able to come this afternoon. We were told that for her second cataract surgery on December 6th, she would be admitted afterwards for the night to monitor her oxygen while feeding.
It's been a stressful, emotional past 3 weeks, but I think everything is on the up and up. We've got many follow-up appointments in the future with our specialist doctors. We're most looking forward to Abby getting her glasses by Christmas so that she can start seeing. She's going to be he cutest 2-month-old in glasses! 
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Re: Abby update (long)
BFP Chart
OCT 2011 Moms BlogI am so sorry that you and your family have been going through something so scary and upsetting, Know that you are an amazing mother and that your daughter is very lucky to have you! I hope that you and your husband have some supportive friends or family around to help you out. I will definitely be keeping you and Abby in my thoughts. Hang in there!
Oh, you and Abby have been through so much already. I am glad that she already made it through one surgery and that she's set for the next one and glasses are coming. You're getting lots of T&Ps from me that you clear all these hurdles now and have smooth sailing after this. She will be the cutest baby with glasses, I promise.
Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!
BFP 1/18/11, EDD 10/1/11. Born at 37w5d on 9/15/11.
***BFP Chart***
"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.
I have to admit that I am so impressed with your positive attitude. I will cross my fingers for your baby's health and your continued good spirits.
I cant wait to see her in her glasses. My friend's son had glasses starting at age 2 and he looks so cute with them. Every time my husband sees him, he cant stop going on about how adorable he is with the glasses.
Wow, I'm so sorry for everything you guys have gone through! I am very glad to hear that things are looking better. Definitely post a pic when Abby gets her glasses - that is going to be adorable! I'm sure she will be happy to finally see!
Married 08/18/07
BFP 02/15/11 EDD 10/27/11 Born at 35w3d on 09/25/11
BFP 10/13/12 EDD 06/25/13 Born at 37w0d on 06/04/13
BFP 12/11/15 EDD 08/23/16 Early miscarriage
BFP 02/02/16 EDD 10/16/16
BFP#2 02/18/11 * Beta@15dpo=215 * @18dpo=698 * @20dpo=2337 * @25dpo=10,931 * DS Arrived October 24, 2011
BFP#3 08/12 | D&C 9/12 (no hb)
BFP#4 Due May 1, 2014 Stick baby stick!