We need to decide to get a feeding tube or not too. This is not a decision we are taking lightly. We have been talking to parents of kids with tubes. We have been watching videos and doing research. Why? Well Noah's feeding issues are getting worse. Before I could hold his cheeks and chin and if the bottle was in his mouth, now when the bottle is in his mouth he refuses to suck. This is very frustrating.
I have been writing this post for days. I have spoken to parents and looked up information. I have prayed, I have talked, I have cried, I have gagged. I dont want to make this decision. I want someone else to make it for me. I spend on average 15-18 hours a day feeding Noah. I am suppose to feed him every 3 hours but it takes about 2 hours or so to feed him. If he werent adopted would I have this many problems making a decision, maybe.
Noah's birthmom chose me to raise him and to do whats best for him. I don't want to let her down, or his foster mom or the adoption agency. I feel like Noah hates me. He doesnt want to eat or can't for some reason and I am making him, forcing him to do something he can't or won't. I am not eating either. I eat dinner only most days. I am feeding him all day and when I get a break I need to feed the other kids. I feel so rotten, like I chose this so I have no right to complain. I am running on empty though.
This morning I talked to Noah's foster mom. I care a great deal what she thinks and she had a child with a feeding tube. I did not remember that. She said she knows this isnt the easy way out and that she trusts I will do what is best for Noah. I think this would be best for the whole family. The two younger kids are getting into everything and tearing up my house, behavior I have never had to deal with before. They are a tag team of terrors right now and I think it is from lack of supervision. There is only so much I can do and right now all I can do is feed Noah and feed them. I spend little to no time with them in a day because I have to feed Noah so they amuse themselves by getting into the toilet and cupboards and writing on walls and spilling paint all over my floor. The two older ones have spent days on the computer which never happened before either. School is coming up and how am I going to homeschool when I am feeding Noah 18 hours a day? Things need to change, they may not get back to normal but we do need a new normal at least.
Although it may seem like a decision I am making in just a few minutes this has been something we have dealt with since we met Noah. I need to focus on what is best for my family, what is best for Noah and not care what the world thinks.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Be blessed
Praying for you! I'm having a hard time with Leah eating as well. Looks like I'm going to be calling the doctor soon. She used to drink 3-4 ozs every 3 hours and now she's lucky is she drinks 2 ozs every 6 hours. If I force her, she starts to choke and gagged. Everytime I feed Leah, Rebecca gets into trouble. She just knows when mommy has her hands full! Eli doesn't understand the frustration because he just hands Leah to me and says "She's just too small for me to hold".
ReplyDeleteThank you. That is exactly it my other kids are getting into things and being rotten because I cant parent them while feeding him. Paul feeds Noah at night but I feed him all day long, Paul only has to do one feeding. He said we can push thru this without a tube but now we both agree it is what is best.
ReplyDeleteAshlee, my children go back to school next Monday the 23rd. I would be more than willing to come and help you. I can feed Noah so you can spend some time with the other kids, I cook, clean up.... whatever you need me to do, I am willing. As far as the feeding tube, I am a nurse and having a feeding tube sounds much worse than it actually is. The most important thing is that Noah get the nourishment that his body needs to grow and be strong. I am a substitute school and I actually have a student that has a tube and I watch him flourish last year after receiving it...it was amazing. Just my thoughts. Call me if you want to talk and for sure if you would like me to lend a hand. 724-382-4493
ReplyDeleteJenn
Thank you so much. You are right the sound of the tube was worse than the actual tube. We looked online and talked to a bunch of parents. Thanks for thinking of us you are so nice. Be blessed.
ReplyDelete