The scoop on her poop

I'm sure not everyone wants to know the scoop on Allie's poop, however I'm going to share it anyway.  As you know, last week I had to bring Allie's stool sample in to be tested.  They discovered she had an abundance of pseudomonas bacteria in her stool.  As our Pediatrician described it, "her stool was covered in bacteria, much more than a normal person's stool.".  I quickly asked what she meant by "normal person".  Basically she was saying that Allie's digestive system is not normal in a sense that she is pretty much on a liquid only diet.  She said the bacterial growth may have been worse because of no or very little solids being processed through her system.  Anyway, the doctor told me to giver her probiotics and see if it helps solidify her stool and bring it back to normal..  Allie has now been taking the probiotics and lets just say her pooping habits are again different.  To be honest, I'm not really sure what "normal" is for Allie - it seems like it's never been quite right for her.  However, her stools are now more solid, a bit less stinky and not happening quite as often.  So, I would say the probiotics are working.  My only problem is Allie's not pooping everyday.  This is definitely not normal for her and I'm worried it's somehow contributing to her vomiting. 

Since the probiotics are working, we have come to the conclusion that Allie's body was not able to reproduce good bacteria in her system.  She was on an antibiotic for Scarlet Fever about a month or so ago.  This antibiotic killed all the good and bad bacteria in her system and for some reason, her system could not produce the good bacteria again so it was affecting her whole digestive system.  The probiotics have now helped and we are assuming the "good" bacteria is back in her system full force. 

Last week when the nurse called about Allie's preliminary stool results, she said that the fat content in her stool was high. This would mean she had some type of absorption problem.  However, the nurse has since called back and apologized because she had given me the wrong information.  The fat in Allie's stool is considered "normal".  That is one less thing to worry about, however I was hoping that this one piece would help us find an actual diagnosis as to why Allie will not eat.

Poor little Allie - if it's not one thing it's another.  Seems as if there is always something she is dealing with and there is always an unknown lurking above our heads.  When I say unknown I don't mean the big medical mystery as to why she doesn't eat - I'm referring to all the little things that accompany a child with special needs.  Her feeding tube in itself is a challenge but we also struggle with her vomiting, pooping, her post traumatic stress syndrome, continual doctors appointments, occupational therapy, speech therapy, oral eating therapy and mental health therapy.  There is no doubt, Allie has a full plate and so do we. 

We meet with our GI doctor (still getting 3rd opinion) again on Monday at 9:00.  I will have my long list of questions ready for him.  Dr. Brown scheduled us into two time slots so I'm assuming the appointment will be lengthy.   We should be able to determine what tests we want to run and when.  I'm just praying this 3rd opinion and round of tests help us get Allie a diagnosis as to why she will not eat. 

This picture has nothing to do with this post but I wanted to share it because it's one of my favorites of the girls.

Nothing could be worse than the fear that one had given up too soon, and left one unexpanded effort that might have saved the world.
       -Jane Addams

free hit counters