Well, at Benjamin's last G.I. appointment, he hadn't gained any weight, in fact he has lost a few ounces over the last few months. What did the specialist have to say about this?! "He needs more calories". GGgrrr! Very frustrating. They have harped this for months, and I have done my best to follow through, and push the calorie aspect. Then I had an epiphany. Helped along by what my chiropractor said to me. He said that our body can't regulate it's weight as well, if it is too acidic. Well, we know from blood tests that Benjamin's acid levels are high. They told us to give him baking soda twice a day to control this. Well, in talking with the chiropractor Alkaline foods are the best thing to eat, to help control the acid level in your body. Well, duh! That would make sense. I have considered this, and have applied it to Benjamin. He's still not eating solid foods, but drinking his shakes. (for the most part) I have started adding more greens & veggies to his shakes, and he does not like that, so we are having to use his g-tube more often. The greens & veggies are helping with his digestion, and I hope they will help him gain weight. I feel like I should become a nutritionist, or something. I am having to do all my own research, and figure out from trial and error what helps him gain weight.
That's another point...they have him on medication so that he will have 'normal' poops. Because he has still been doing 'pebble poops' without it. Well, I haven't given him any medicine for bm for about 4 days. He is pooping still...I know it's because of the 'greens' we are adding. I think his body is still trying to regulate. It will take awhile, and I need to do some MAJOR veggie shopping, and make a list of the best Alkaline foods, etc.
So, part of my point is, that just changing his diet should clear up 2 of the 'medications' they have him on. The first being baking soda, to help to regulate the acid (which now that I think about it, seems like just more of a cover up, then a real fix). I won't know if the Alkaline foods are really working, until we get some blood work, but I am sure it is a healthier and more long term 'fix' then baking soda. And the second being the laxative/medication to help him with his bm's, there again the fiber and Alkaline levels in the greens that I am giving him have seemed to help in that aspect. I already can tell the results from that, not having to give him the medication for 4 days...we will see if it continues positive.
I am praying for a 3rd development. Growth. I hope that in giving him a well rounded 'pyramid' diet (to the best of my ability) that his body will grow and gain weight.
Of course there is always the 4th hope. Which is a reach...that it will help with his kidney function. Logically just changing his diet seems to simple of a fix, yet maybe not?!
I am really wondering if I should set up another appointment with the Nutritionist that first had us put Benjamin on Neocate. Though she may say that Neocate has all the nutrition, and supplements in a 'pyramid' diet. If it does, maybe I am way off base thinking adding greens and veggies in his diet will make such a big difference in his health, etc. Maybe I am hoping for too much? Maybe I am expecting a miracle?
That said, I do believe in Miracles.
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