After Oliver was discharged I quickly learned that if "Unavailable" appeared on my cell phone, I'd better drop everything and answer because it means that one of his doctors or nurses was calling. During the week I get an average of 2-3 calls a day from "Unavailable" - today is was one from the pediatrician's office to schedule an appointment in Portland with a specialist, one was a follow-up call from the lactation consultant at the hospital, and the third was Oliver's pediatrician himself with the results from yesterday's labs.
Oliver's weekly labs showed that his blood or serum sodium (salt) concentration has continued to drop even after trying two different sodium supplements. Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) can be caused by a number of different root problems, and usually is the result of the body holding too much fluid and thus diluting the sodium concentration. Having the right sodium concentration is important in maintaining the right electrolyte balance in the blood, and an imbalance can cause cells to swell and have other problems.
So, we're increasing Oliver's sodium med for the next few days and we'll go in for lab work again on Monday so see if his sodium levels have improved. If they get worse he'll be in the "extreme hyonatremia" range and we'll probably be sent to be admitted to OHSU in Portland for him to be under the direct care of the Pediatric Nephrology doctors who have have been monitoring his underdeveloped kidney (which is probably at least part of the cause of his hyponatremia and also his hypertension).
So please be in prayer with us that the increased dosage of sodium will address this issue and even help his body to resolve it.
On a very positive note, after a discouraging week of being sick and only a few good times of bottle feeding/nursing, Oliver did absolutely fabulous at nursing when we saw the lactation nurse yesterday. I was so encouraged - we estimated that he got at least a whole ounce before he got tired! And no choking or heavy breathing! I think that he knew he was being watched and has already learned to perform for an audience.
Oliver's weekly labs showed that his blood or serum sodium (salt) concentration has continued to drop even after trying two different sodium supplements. Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) can be caused by a number of different root problems, and usually is the result of the body holding too much fluid and thus diluting the sodium concentration. Having the right sodium concentration is important in maintaining the right electrolyte balance in the blood, and an imbalance can cause cells to swell and have other problems.
So, we're increasing Oliver's sodium med for the next few days and we'll go in for lab work again on Monday so see if his sodium levels have improved. If they get worse he'll be in the "extreme hyonatremia" range and we'll probably be sent to be admitted to OHSU in Portland for him to be under the direct care of the Pediatric Nephrology doctors who have have been monitoring his underdeveloped kidney (which is probably at least part of the cause of his hyponatremia and also his hypertension).
So please be in prayer with us that the increased dosage of sodium will address this issue and even help his body to resolve it.
On a very positive note, after a discouraging week of being sick and only a few good times of bottle feeding/nursing, Oliver did absolutely fabulous at nursing when we saw the lactation nurse yesterday. I was so encouraged - we estimated that he got at least a whole ounce before he got tired! And no choking or heavy breathing! I think that he knew he was being watched and has already learned to perform for an audience.
Love you guys and praying!
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