The Great Physician...

Sweetest sleep ever...

I am not feeling I have very much to write. I want to let everyone know that Annabel is doing so well. I have to make myself remember that she has this ugly thing called Trisomy 18.

The last several months prior to the surgery had become stressful concerning her apnea spells, the machine for her to breathe that wouldn't always work, the bowel twisting on itself and causing great pain, and the UTI infection and antibiotics.

There is not a doubt that all the prayers for Annabel were heard. She is having no apnea spells at all, yes no oxygen and no bi-pap machine for now. She is urinating just like a little girl should and I have no reason to suspect she is not emptying her bladder. The huge change also is that she hasn't had any laxative but once since her surgery. This entire week she has had BM regularly and her tummy is soft and so small. She is taking breastmilk and this really seems to be agreeing with her.

I will continue to be thankful for all the doctors who operated on Annabel and took care of her. I know with out a doubt that she was in the hands of the Great Physician. He orchestrated everything from beginning to end and I continue to be grateful for His goodness...

Upon release from the hospital she weighed 19.7lbs. Back in April she was 24.4lbs. She is slowly inching up the scales. We are adding whatever we can to her diet to give her calories and get her protein intake up. She has lost what little muscle she had and I am sure when she resumes her therapy this will come back as well.

I am sad to say that I will not be attending the Trisomy (SOFT) conference this year. My twins will be turning 17 in early Aug. As a family we will be renting a beach home and spending the week together. This was the only time that we could all be together. I will surely miss old friend and the new friends that we would have made. Carly and Colette will be senior this year and my plan is to make as many memories as possible and to not miss a thing.

NO PICTURES PLEASE...

WARNING... This post is concerning Poop so you may want to just skip this one! Well, one of my other concerns with Annabel has been her very long term use of laxatives. Specifically, Miralax what she is taking now and has been for about a year and half if not longer. If you read the warnings it says not for children and also not to be on it longer than several days. Also, Annabel has been taking the adult dosage of this medicine for over a year. I have also been told by other moms that this is basically antifreeze. I have tried natural remedies, tons of prune juices and fruits, Activia w/prune, cereal with prune and other over the counter remedies. It has been brought to my attention the benefits of breast milk and all it could possibly do for her. We began using breast milk about 8 days ago and was still adding the Miralax but slowly weening her off. The last two days she has had no Miralax with the breast milk and today she had two beautiful loose diapers. You can thank our nurse from stopping me taking pictures of this historic event. Annabel never has diarrhea or loose stools. I am praying that this is one of the benefits of breast milk.
UPDATE ON POTTY TRAINING: While on this potty subject since Annabel has been sick with all her oxygen needs we have been lax on her potty chair activities. This week I decided to put her back on and immediately she did both her business right away and then proceeded to clap so happily for herself. So we have been putting her on the potty and then cathing her. Just wanted to let you know she has not lost this skill and we are so proud of this.
MAJOR THANK YOUS....these are for Connie who strongly told me about the benefits of breast milk and the good things that can come from this. (Being an adoptive mom, I never really research this for my older 5 children) She also helped me join Milkshare and navigate this site. She also shared a couple of her contacts. I hope these mommy's aren't offended if we call them Annabel's new milk mommies! They are Lyanna, Michele and Tamara. What a gift that these mothers are offering so my precious Angel can have a healthier, more natural nourishment for her fragile body. Annabel continues to bring me more blessings than I could have ever imagined.