Hospitalization (Boo!)

To start at the beginning:  ever since Cooper started on seizure medicines, he has been eating less and taking longer to eat.  Over the last month, he has only gained 2 grams a day (the 2 months before that he gained 600, to put it in perspective).  We took him to the doctor Thursday for dehydration.  They said he had gastroenteritis.  That night, we started him on a second anti-seizure medicine.  Friday, he went to school, but the teachers were concerned because he hadn't really eaten well for them.  They also said he was more tired than they had ever seen him.  And then Saturday, he basically quit eating.  So that afternoon, we took him to the hospital.  He was admitted for dehydration.  He slept all day Saturday, all through Saturday night, all day Sunday, and all through Sunday night.  He was on fluid with glucose and nutrients the whole time, because we couldn't wake him up enough to eat.  While all of this was going on, we met with his general pediatrician, his pediatrician at the hospital, and several surgeons and decided that it was time to get him a g tube.  At first, we thought that the surgery would be Tuesday, but we found out late yesterday afternoon from the surgeons that it wouldn't be until Thursday.  So we came home last night and will go back on Thursday for the Nissin and the g tube.  The Nissin keeps him from refluxing.  Yesterday afternoon, he had a pretty good feed.  He ate 4 ounces out of a bottle in 30 minutes (if you know anything about kids eating, it is insane that that is a good feeding) and then ate 3.5 ounces of applesauce.  About an hour later, he threw it all up.  I just don't think that his stomach can handle that volume right now.  So once the g tube is in, we can start to increase the amount that goes into his stomach, so he gets used to being full at a higher quantity.  Also, for a while, we're going to feed him pediasure, since he only has to eat 4.5 ounces 5 times a day to get the correct number of calories.  I will let everyone know how the surgery went Thursday evening.  Please keep Cooper in your thoughts and prayers until then!!