Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Pour Your Heart Out: Trace




Trace is sick.

Correction. Trace has ALWAYS been sick, since the day he was born most likely.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about Trace and how he is constantly unhappy. I wrote about his crying and fussiness and inability to fall asleep well. I poured my heart out and was honest about how it made me feel. I felt like a failure.

This weekend, while in Florida, Trace cried for about 75% of the trip. He didn't sleep, unless I was holding him sitting straight up. He was just...awful. Clearly, something was wrong with him. I called my mom bawling on Sunday because I just didn't know what to do. I had no idea how to help my son. I'm his mom, for God's sake, I should know what to do or at least be able to google an answer. Trace was cryng, I was crying. Dave and I were fighting. I got no sleep. I was trying to hold my self together because I didn't want to ruin Rory's first 2 days at Disney.

My mom hung up with me and immediately called my pediatrician. We headed to the doctor yesterday morning and we finally are on the path to a solution, we think.

Trace has acid reflux. Actually, pretty severe acid refulx. Basically, he's been throwing up in his mouth every couple of hours. If you've had done that, you know how bad it burns. He has heartburn a lot of the time, as well. Again, if you've had heartburn, you know how bad it hurts. It explains so much: why he doesn't want to sleep laying flat on his back, why he spits up all the time, why he does seem comforted by his bouncer. So much of Trace's behavior can be directly related to his acid reflux.

So what do we do? Well, we switched to non-dairy, non-soy formula. It's called Nutramgien. Do not ask me how much it costs, I can't think about it. He will eat that and ONLY that for the next 2 months. No cereal, no baby food, none of it. The nutramigen is allergen free, so it will help his little esophagus heal and allow his stomach lining to mature before we try adding in anything else. We go back to the doctor on Friday and we will discuss adding a small Zantac prescription. I'm not crazy about the idea of my 4 month old baby having to take medicine every day for a while, but it is what it is. If it will get him to stop crying, then I'll do it.

Please pray for me and for Trace. I am wracked with guilt that I didn't push the issue sooner. I knew something was wrong but I thought he was just a hard baby. He's been in pain and I didn't do anything about it. (I know, I know. But I need to get this off my chest. Mom guilt sucks.) I'm exhausted, I'm stressed. My marriage is starting to suffer because of having a sick baby. Dave and I are at each other's throats all the time because it's exhausting listening to crying all the time. He leaves for work at 3 am and when he gets home, I run out the door for my work. It's just not good. Dave is an awesome dad and so he takes it really hard that he can't get Trace to stop crying. He wants SO BADLY to have fun in the evenings with both kids, not spend the entire night trying to calm Trace down. The entire situation is starting to feel like more than I can handle. I need a break, I need a few days of quiet and rest with my husband. But I can't even fathom leaving Trace with anyone, even my mom, mother-in-law and aunt who are fantastic, right now. I couldn't put them through my daily routine for more than a day. It would be a disaster. I left T and R with my mom 2 weeks ago for the day and I worried the entire day that my mom would get upset with me for Trace's crying. (So stupid, I know!)

I just need a break.

And now I'm crying. I'm so sorry. This isn't where I wanted this post to go. I just needed to dump, I guess. I just need a break.

6 comments:

Shell said...

Oh, I hope that this works and you and he can get some rest!

Lacey said...

I read this earlier today and was seriously too emotional to post. My boys are very close to the age of your kids and I related so much! Oh the mom guilt! I'm hoping that the new formula works for you and I think it's great that your doc decided to try that before jumping right into meds. We had a similar issue (only on a much smaller scale) and we jumped into meds too fast. Don't get me wrong, they worked - WELL, I just wish we had looked at other options first. Best of luck. I hope you are able to get some rest...

Neely said...

You poor thing! And poor Trace. Praying for yall!

In the Loop said...

I'm so sorry! I had this as a baby and so did my niece! Back then it was much harder to pinpoint this type of thing and I was in the hospital for months and my mom was a wreck. My the time they figured it out all of the lining was gone from my esophogus to my anus (TMI?). Anyhow once I got on special formula I became a TOTALLY different baby! Super happy all the time. The same can be said for my niece. She is now the most cheerful 3 year old ever! I know it's rough and terrible, but Trace will recover and won't remember and will be so happy once he feels better. Helping my sis with my niece has been the best birth control ever so I'm probably the bad one!

Varda said...

Please don't worry about the
Zantac prescription, one of my sons took it for about 6 months when he was an infant, 8 years ago, & it made a HUGE difference in his & our lives.

It's a very benign medicine, has been around a while, well studied and tolerated by kids, no real side effects, no long term effects.

And? Will greatly reduce the acid in your son's stomach. It's usually necessary to combine that with the special formula to provide complete relief.

I am so glad you have an answer and can now help your son feel better. Good luck!

Libby said...

A co-worker of mine and I were just talking about the non-dairy, non-soy formula because her son can only drink it due to acid reflux. She said it has made a world of difference - so we'll send some prayers that you find the same to be true for Trace! She also said she has purchased it on-line via Amazon for a better price (not sure where you plan on getting it, but figured I'd share her tip!).

As for your stress levels, you're absolutely right: you'll be looking back soon and trying hard to remember how overwhelmed you felt. In the meantime, you're doing it all right, Kate. Praying. Talking. Praying some more. Relying on those who love you. You really are such a great wife & mother.

I know Pittsburgh isn't that close, but should there be anything we can do for you and your fam, just say the word!

Sending you lots of good thoughts and prayers on this snowy Friday.