We figured it out I think...

So the doc said Joey has something called "Anal Stenosis" which basically means that its too narrow "in there" to allow him to push the poo out the way he should. Kinda funny since the reason for his Hydro is "Aqueductal Stenosis." Anyways, we gave him an enema and a suppository and whoa, talk about poo explosion. The poor guy was really backed up. We also give him a little bit of Miralax and put oat cereal in his formula three times a day. We have to keep the poo as loose as we can until the doc shows me how to use a thing to dialate in there so it stretches everything out. He's pretty sure Joey will outgrow this problem, so in the meantime we just give him the stuff to make it easier for him to go. I can tell he feels SO much better after going finally. Poor guy!!

Hmm...

Poor Joey has been having issues going poo! He was ok for the first few weeks when he was breastfed, but since I had to stop, he's been having problems. The first formula we tried was soy, and he didn't have any problems with that other than being gassy. I thought maybe it was just because of the soy, so I tried a milk based formula. He still didn't have any issues going so I thought I'd try the gentle version of that formula. And THEN he started getting constipated. He would strain and strain until his face turned red and cry because his poor belly hurt. He went a whole week without having a substantial poo, just little bits here and there. After trying Karo syrup and apple juice, I finally had to resort to a suppository, and that did the trick of course. Nothing else seems to help other than that. We've been to the pediatrician a couple of times and... nothing. He went another three days without going so they told me to give him another suppository. Poor thing! We have an appointment with a pediatric gastroenterologist to try and sort this out. It's on the same day as his checkup with the neurosurgeon, so I'm glad to get two visits out of the way in one day. I hope we get this figured out so he can poo like a normal baby!

We're back!

What a cool experience that was! I learned a lot and I feel very optimistic about my little guy's future :) Besides seeing Dr. Kurtzberg for the cord blood infusion, we also saw Dr. Mikati (a pediatric neurologist) and he said he was very encouraged by Joey and that he looked very good! He didn't exhibit any issues other than a possible delay in his tracking objects, but its very common for Hydrocephalus babies to have delays in vision and hearing. I'm so glad my guy is doing so well!! The power of prayer is so amazing!

Going to Duke!

Next week! Thanks to Owen's mommy! I'm so glad we can do this. I know there's no proof that the cord blood helps but even if there is the slightest chance it will help I'm all for it. I just hope our insurance covers it...