Reyna update...

Hey, everyone! I hope this entry finds you well. Things are finally looking up over here.

I took Reyna to see her regular pediatrician a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't take her pooping issues anymore. It's nervewracking, watching your child scream and cry in pain because she's trying to hold it all in. You feel so helpless. I'd taken her off her stool softener, Lactulose, after she'd finished it. I switched her to lactose free whole milk. Neither worked or made any hint of a difference. So, having given up on "home remedies", I made an appointment and took her in. The ped. ruled out lactose intolerance right then, since the milk switch didn't work. He sent us to a pediatric GI for more answers and a closer look. After answering all sorts of questions (in which the answers were typed into a Sony Vaio as they were being given), Reyna was examined. I won't go into details about that. He then sent us down for blood work and x-rays. The blood work was to test for Celiac Disease, IBS, and thyroid disease. The x-rays were to check to see how "backed up" she was. I haven't heard back on the x-rays, which is weird since I walked the darn things back up to the office myself. I'll be calling tomorrow to see if the GI read them yet.

She's been put on a different stoof softener, Miralax. I guess it's working. It took about a week, though. She's been backed up for several days now. She's been going since yesterday, though. She's still struggling to hold it in, but I think she's fighting a losing battle. We have to mix the Miralax with water, Crystal Light, or sugar free Kool Aid. I made up some C.L. lemonade last night so that she could have it, and the medicine, this morning with her breakfast. It's a struggle some days, since starting the new medicine, to get her to drink her stuff. We also have to cut her milk back from 3 cups a day to 1 cup a day. She's now at 2 cups a day. She's doing well with that. Oh, I forgot to mention above that the GI said she *MAY* be allergic to cow's milk protein. That's why the milk's been cut back. I eliminated her morning milk today, and she didn't even care. She got her Crystal Light with the medicine, and then stole my strawberry kiwi juice. We're supposed to be giving her "P" juices: pear, peach, prune, apple, etc. So we give her juice once a day, usually with her morning snack. But I'm thinking of maybe giving her some with her breakfast AFTER she's drunk her medicine mix. I'm not sure yet. It hasn't been worked out in my head. (My thoughts are running away from me, not staying in my head long enough before being replaced with another. I have no idea what's going on with that. But I'll try to get this whole juice thing worked out.) The problem is I have to give her water, too, and I'm having issues just getting her to drink milk lately. She's cutting back on her own, and I have no idea why. Oh, well. I don't even know for sure how much milk she consumes in a day anymore. I know it can't be 1 cup, though. She varies from day to day. Some days she drinks all the milk we give her, other days she's picky.

We may start potty training her soon. She's showing some signs of wanting to start using the toilet. I think we may start this weekend. I'm not sure yet. I threw the idea out to Andy last night, but I don't remember if he gave me a definite answer. I'm not going to do this alone.

Oh! She started the Toddler Room at her daycare last week. She's doing very well in there. She doesn't even cry when I leave anymore. She did the first day, because it was a new class with new teachers and new kids. But she's been great ever since. Well, she's in this clingy phase where she wants to be carried ALL THE TIME, but she's doing well. I still stay for a few minutes until she adjusts, and I say goodbye and she gives me a kiss. When I pick her up, THAT'S when she starts crying. *lol* She's so funny. And she wants me to carry her, too. This fall, she'll be in the Young 2's. I'm worried about that transition. She barely drinks anything at school, and sometimes at home, but she doesn't do well with new people and new situations. She's a shy little one, just like her Mama...or Bah, as she calls me.

Well, that's it. I'm sure Andy will probably have something else to mention. I hope this entry found you well, and that you bear with us in this long journey. Have a safe, happy, and fun summer!!!!!

*hugs*
-me & her