Today I took the boys (and Anna tagged along) to the doctor for their "15 month checkup" (even though technically they are probably more like 19 months old...confusing, I know.) Yosef seems to have gotten over his fear of the doctor, which is good. AND we found out both boys are giardia free--yay!
If you think of it, please be praying for Biniam. He is just not able to put on weight, or at least as much as he should. The doctor is giving him one more month. If he hasn't made significant gains, he will officially be diagnosed as having "failure to thrive" and will have to see a specialist to try to find out what is wrong. I looked it up on the internet and there are all sorts of possible reasons, some not so serious, some very serious.
Biniam's medical history from Ethiopia includes the comment that he had struggled with "inconsistent weight gain", which is in line with what is going on now. We had thought it was possibly due to the giardia/life in an institution, but now it's clear that isn't the case. He remains very skinny and in spite of the fact that he eats a normal amount of food, he doesn't gain like a child normally would. I had been thinking about that today, and planned to ask the doctor--I really felt like something must be wrong. So I was really relieved when he was the one who brought it up.
I know God is in control, and right now it is abundantly clear that I am not. It is so hard not to worry, imagine all sorts of worst-case scenarios, etc. But God knows, and He'll give us whatever strength/grace we need when we need it. He is faithful!
Thursday, June 01, 2006
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10 comments:
I will keep him and your family in my thoughts.
Dawn
You are in my prayers. I love your updates and you give us hope for when we are united with our babies. Keep us updated on his condition. God will hold him and you through all of this.
Sandra
I am praying...
Be encouraged that your son is called for a very special purpose - why else would God make sure that he is there with you instead of where he was? The Father brought you together from half a world away. "He who began a good work in you shall be faithfull to complete it..." Your baby will be fine!
Oh, I am so sad to read this news. You are in our hearts. I am thankful that Biniam is with a wonderful, nurturing family, though - I would think that no matter what, this will be the most important thing for him. But how terribly scary. Please keep us posted.
Wow, I was just talking to a neighbor about this sort of thing (her three week old is on oxygen after a lack of breathing scare). We worry so much for our little ones when they are in the womb (or Ethiopia) and then we give birth (or bring them home) and think that the hard part is over. In my short year as a mother I've learned that being pregnant was the easiest time to protect my daughter.
You both our wonderful parents and God has changed you so much through this process and He's even worked on us a bit too. He's sneaky that way. I will definitely move Biniam to the top of my prayer list and guys too.
I'm sure you are doing all of the right things to nourish him. I find that I put weight on very easily with brownies, ice cream, well anything with calories works :) We miss you guys (I know I say it all the time, but it's because it's true)
Hope you get some answers soon!
How is Biniam doing?
My 9 month old was just tested for a whole host of metabolic disorders because he has literally fallen off the growth chart. The final conclusion was that he is just small. I will keep you in my prayers and try not to overlook the simplest answers.
I now you have probably brought in a million stool samples- but there are many funny parasites that are so rare here the lab misses them..I am sure they have looked into that- but I have heard this from families before and sometimes something tropical is being missed. I will pray for you guys and for weight gain!
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