Family Pic Nov 2015

Family Pic Nov 2015

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Julia in Hospital

I wanted to apologize for the lack of updates on our blog. We have been having some major issues with our computer systems at our house. We currently don't have a single computer up and running. This makes blogging rather...well...impossible. I am working on getting one of the computers working so we can have one less thing to worry about.

Now on to the updates. Julia had an appointment with a pediatric GI doctor down in Richmond yesterday afternoon. We were eager to get her to this appointment because she was not eating very much for us. She was refusing to take her bottle for the last several days. She did manage to take about 10 ounces yesterday morning when she woke up, so that was a bit of a relief. But, we still were very worried about her. Carey took her down to her appointment and very quickly the GI doctor said Julia needed to be hospitalized. He explained that none of her GI systems were working correctly. They call it re-feeding syndrome. Her malnourishment was so bad that her body had basically forgotten how to eat and digest. There was no way for Carey and I to get her healthy again by just bottle feeding her. As a matter of fact, force feeding her could have jeopardized her life. The doctor explained that because her body is this malnourished, reintroducing food is a delicate process. The food needs to be introduced gradually while closely monitoring electrolytes and her heart.

So, Julia is now hospitalized down at MCV in Richmond in their pediatric progressive care unit which is one step below intensive care. They have placed a drip tube through her nose and down into her stomach. They are going to slowly bring her digestive systems back on track. They are starting her on an ounce of food through the tube per hour. They will monitor her electrolytes every twelve hours to see if her nutrient and chemical levels will come back into balance. They said she will be in the hospital at least two weeks. It is a great relief to finally know part of what is going on in her little body and knowing that she is getting help now. Please keep her in your prayers that she will make a swift recovery and her body will finally get the nutrients it has so badly needed.

On a lighter note, both Aaron and Julia had ophthalmology appointments on Monday that were very positive. Julias occasional crossed eyes are a result of being very farsighted. So the doctor wrote her a prescription for glasses that will help her in a couple ways. She will now be able to see us without having to strain so hard. And we will be getting her transition lenses which will help with her light sensitivity. We found her a pair of glasses that fit, but we need to wait for them to officially be on our insurance before we can get the glasses. She will look so cute!

Aaron's eyes see just fine. So that was good news. But one eye tends to go off to the side instead of staying focused. The doctor explained that with a couple of botox injections in the eye muscles on his right eye, this problem should completely, or at least mostly, clear up. That was great news! We will schedule that procedure once the insurance is completely in place.

As for home life, Aaron is adjusting well to being in our family. We have discovered that he thoroughly enjoys doing certain tasks around the house. He actually seems to get giddy over the idea of putting laundry in the washing machine and starting it and then switching it over to the dryer. He actually gets upset if there is no wash to be done on a given day. Hopefully some of this work ethic will rub off on our other kids. He also likes helping with the dishwasher and he would love to vacuum. We have a toy vacuum that he pushes around the upstairs and pretends to vacuum everything. Maybe we should get him a dust buster and let him do some work while he's playing.

Well, that's all for now. I have to get back to work. Once we have a computer back up at home, we will add some more pictures up here. Please keep Julia and our family in your prayers. Thanks and God Bless!

30 comments:

  1. Thank you Steve for the update. So sad about poor little Julia. She's in the best possible place. Hopefully she'll get better soon. Scary to think what would have happened had she not found you. Aaron has that enthusiastic glint in his eye - cheeky monkey. Look forward to seeing photos.
    Maria :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sending prayers and good wishes. Is it confusing for Aaron to now have Julia gone? Will pray that he doesn't worry that he also will be "sent back". ... I would think he might not understand how different the two situations are... Thank you for taking to time to post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Please e-mail me - I would love to help out by coming out and sitting with your sweet one to give you a break.... covenantb@yahoo.com - I live in Palmyra- MCV is an hour from me!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Here is a blog of another family whose daughter had to be placed in the hospital for malnutrition.

    http://www.carringtonscourage.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, poor Julia! Glad she's getting help now, the poor love. Praying! I can just imagine how hard it is on you to have her there.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Prayers for your beautiful family!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Will pray for dear little Julia!

    Aaron sounds like a treasure, your future daughter-in-law will love you!

    Carla
    www.bringinghenryhome.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. How is Julia in the hospital? Does she seem scared or upset?
    What a blessing that the children are safe with you now!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Praying for a smooth recovery for precious Julia. I wish I lived closer and could offer to help!

    How wonderful to hear that Aaron is fitting in easily! He seems like a sweetheart. What a blessing to have a child in the home who loves to help out with the housework.

    Thanks for the update, and I look forward to pictures when you can.

    God bless!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Praying for full recovery, HAPPY Julia is in a place that will give her the best medical care, you can give her the love she needs.

    I will be in your area on Thursday.
    Papa said that

    ReplyDelete
  11. We are praying. I sit here at the Mayo Clinic thinking...she needs to come here for a full diagnosis of everything! One stop shopping! I am so glad she's getting help! Praise God! Hard to even think about if you hadn't listened and hadn't gone to get that sweet girl. We love you and were so thrilled to meet her at the wedding! Can't wait to meet Aaron!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Poor sweet Julia, I am so happy she is with you now, where she can get help! I'm sure they'll have her digestive system turned around and she'll be home in those cute glasses before you know it. Hang in their sweet girl! So happy to hear Aaron is doing well, I could use a little helper like that at my house! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Praying for a speedy recovery for Julia and the doctors can have back home and eating well in no time. Will continue to pray for your whole family during this trying time.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Praying for poor little Julia and the rest of your family!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Dearest Schwenzers, all the Salems are praying for your sweet treasure. She is enveloped in the healing hands of our Savior!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Praying for her and your family. I glad to hear that you guys found out what was going on but sad to hear that she is going to have to be in the hospital for at least two weeks. Praying that she will be able to come home sooner. God is good he will contiune to be good.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Poor little one! Thankful that Julia is able to get the care that she needs. Praying that God's peace will comfort her, and that she will recover quickly!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi all, I will keep your little Julia in my prayers. I know God is with her. Soon she will be back with you. Good luck to a wonderful family.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear Schwenzer Family,
    You are all in our prayers. We were led to your blog by the Salems and were thrilled to learn that we are pretty close by.....and I work at MCV. Small world. Would love to help you all in any way that I can. What sweet blessings you have.
    In joy,
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  20. Our little Carrington faced the same issue when we brought her home in March. We spent 5 weeks just trying to slowly nourish her body enough so she could take feeds through her new gbutton. Julia will come out of this literally a stronger and healthier little girl thanks to a Mommy and Daddy who are seeing she gets such loving care. We will pray for her body to accept the nutrition quickly and safely! The Burmans

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ohhh sweet Julia, you are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers, grow strong sweet child, all the love and hugs from our family here in New Zealand, to yours.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Praying for Julia! May God continue to be glorified in her precious life.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Praying for Julia! I hope she does well in the hospital, and doesn't have to stay there any longer than two weeks. This situation is just like Carrington. She's now home, yet was 11 lbs. not too long ago. I pray Julia will be just fine soon!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello Schwenzer Family! We also will be praying for sweet Julia to become stronger and healthier with each passing day. It's so wonderful the hospital is so close to friends who can come to sit with your cutie pie!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Praying for your sweet little Julia. Was she in orphanage 9 like Carrington? If so, did you happen to catch a glimpse of Camille? She has dark hair and eyes and I'm told she is in one of the laying down rooms. I'm her warrior, and constantly trying to get updates on her! Hope Julia is able to come home soon.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Praying for Julia and your whole family!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Carey! We haven't had the pleasure of meeting face to face yet, but were 'introduced' by Carrie DeLille. I've been reading your blog for months (and Adeye's) and watching the miracle unfold of Julia coming home. I realize you may think I'm a madwoman to think you would even consider this offer, but I am truly willing and would love nothing more: we live in RIchmond -- just 15 minutes from MCV -- and I would be overjoyed to go and see Julia and cuddle with her (if she'll allow me). If not, I can just sit in her room with her so she's not alone. Please feel free to email me if you'd like to discuss this. beamteaminc@gmail.com. Praying for sweet Julia and so excited to hear about Aaron's smooth transition. Whata cutie! :)

    ReplyDelete