Where to start??? It's been pretty full on time since Ashling got the Mickey Button in her tummy. For some reason the first week was great, which was when I wrote the last blog. Then things went steadily downhill for a while and I hadn't the heart to write another blog, desperately waiting for things to improve. But that's really only the case now.
Ashling has had quite a few problems with her mickey button. Her mucus (reflux) came back in force, plus she's had quite a few infections in her surgical wound (the opening of the tube) and she's had a lot of problems with extra tissue building up around the hole. This has all been quite painful for Ashling and a pain in the butt for us because we've had to clean and dress it about 3 times a day since she got it (and still have to). She's also still very screamish about being on her tummy because of this discomfort so we have had a standstill in her physical development in relation to rolling, pushing up with her arms etc.
Then we decided it was time for a holiday so we went to Australia. It was fantastic to catch up with really close friends and Ashling was really good during the holiday, very easy to take away, despite the oxygen etc. We were even able to take her off the oxygen most days for a substantial amount of time and she coped very well. However, somewhere along the way (maybe even on the plane), she picked up a nasty bug. So the morning after we arrived home, we had to take her the Dr. That was 2 weeks ago and she's been very sick since, with what turned out to be a bout of pneumonia. We had to go to hospital for 4 days as she was very weak and needed IV antibiotics and extra oxygen. But she's doing much much better over the last 48 hours. Hence, I've decided to finally update the blog!
Can't believe it's only a couple of weeks to her birthday. What a year! She's beginning to get quite curious about the world but also a bit bored just being at home with me. But we'll have to keep her wrapped in cotton wool for another while as she's still very vulnerable. She's such a tiny wee thing and she hasn't really had any weight gain over the past 4 months. Poor little munchkin is still only 6.7 kilos but she's very petite so doesn't look too scrawny. We recently started a new high calorie formula and we've started putting pureed food into her tummy tube so fingers crossed the next time I write a blog, I'll be reporting a weight gain.
Otherwise, we're keeping pretty well. Ger has been training every spare minute her gets as he's doing the marathon in a few weeks. I'm so proud of him -he's been so disciplined despite the crazy time we've had. Think it's been his lifesaver to be honest. I like calling him Forest Gump these days cause he just keeps on running!!!....Speaking of which, he's just set up a sponsorship in aid of Ronald McDonald House, as they were so good to us when Ashling spent the first few months in hospital.
Well, that's it for now. Thanks for taking the time to read this and for continuing to follow Ashling's progress. Lots of love, Car and Ger xxx
Hope you like the new photos!
