Homecomings and Goings
After being in the hospital for 2 weeks, Ryan was cleared to leave the hospital on Saturday afternoon. Since we were also staying in the hospital, it meant we could all go home.
We decided this week not to stay at the "month stay" hospice as Anting wanted to get on with looking after Ryan and we had learned most of what we needed to learn in the hospital.
While Ryan was able to leave the hospital, his jaundice was still being monitored. The doctors discovered that he is missing an enzyme and so he is "G6pd positive". While this appears to be nothing to worry about, he has to avoid certain medications and certain beans. I guess he wont be uttering this phrase: "The last time a census taker came to my door, I had his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti". It also means, his jaundice issues may be extended. We were told to bring him back to the hospital if he was getting more yellow.
Most of our conversations this weekend have been:
"Does he look more yellow?"
"I don't know, he was pretty yellow when he left".
"I think he's more yellow, What should we do?"
We decided this week not to stay at the "month stay" hospice as Anting wanted to get on with looking after Ryan and we had learned most of what we needed to learn in the hospital.
While Ryan was able to leave the hospital, his jaundice was still being monitored. The doctors discovered that he is missing an enzyme and so he is "G6pd positive". While this appears to be nothing to worry about, he has to avoid certain medications and certain beans. I guess he wont be uttering this phrase: "The last time a census taker came to my door, I had his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti". It also means, his jaundice issues may be extended. We were told to bring him back to the hospital if he was getting more yellow.
Most of our conversations this weekend have been:
"Does he look more yellow?"
"I don't know, he was pretty yellow when he left".
"I think he's more yellow, What should we do?"
"Now, he looks less yellow"
"I think he's more yellow"...
Being jaundiced means the doctor thinks Ryan should not have breast milk. Unfortunately, this means not only do we have to prepare the formula and feed him, Anting has to keep pumping to keep her milk production up.
Our first night with Ryan home was a sleepless one, not because he was crying a lot, but because of the feeding and pumping sessions. When we did have a chance to rest, we were both intently listening to him sleep. His gurgling or groaning sounds would keep us up, and when he was really quiet, we worried he wasn't breathing.
Sunday night was quite a bit better. After worrying that he was not eating enough, we went out and bought some new nipples for his bottle and he chugged down a whole meal in 15 minutes. We were quite impressed and relieved. Of course now, he may have some difficulty going back to the breast after seeing how easy it is to get formula.
Monday morning he had to be checked for his jaundice level so we had our first outing, bringing along all his supplies.
Anting has just called me and said Ryan has to go back to the hospital for at least 3 days because his jaundice has increased again.
We have not decided what we are going to do, perhaps stay in a hotel in the neighbourhood, but I will keep you all posted as to our comings and goings.
Being jaundiced means the doctor thinks Ryan should not have breast milk. Unfortunately, this means not only do we have to prepare the formula and feed him, Anting has to keep pumping to keep her milk production up.
Our first night with Ryan home was a sleepless one, not because he was crying a lot, but because of the feeding and pumping sessions. When we did have a chance to rest, we were both intently listening to him sleep. His gurgling or groaning sounds would keep us up, and when he was really quiet, we worried he wasn't breathing.
Sunday night was quite a bit better. After worrying that he was not eating enough, we went out and bought some new nipples for his bottle and he chugged down a whole meal in 15 minutes. We were quite impressed and relieved. Of course now, he may have some difficulty going back to the breast after seeing how easy it is to get formula.
Monday morning he had to be checked for his jaundice level so we had our first outing, bringing along all his supplies.
Anting has just called me and said Ryan has to go back to the hospital for at least 3 days because his jaundice has increased again.
We have not decided what we are going to do, perhaps stay in a hotel in the neighbourhood, but I will keep you all posted as to our comings and goings.
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