To Pittsburgh and Back

Rowan is sick and we don't know what is wrong with him. We've been to Pittsburgh three times in the last eight days. For those of you not from around here, that's a two hour drive. We've filled our car three times already this week and it's on empty again. Rowan has always had this breathing problem. He always sounds like he is congested. He suffers from sleep apnea. He has a hard time eating and breathing, though he sure makes a good go of it. He has put on some weight since we brought him home but not much, not for the amount that he eats. He's barely grown at all in the inch department. Maybe a quarter of an inch, maybe. Something's wrong, something just isn't right. But what is it? He is a happy, happy baby. He eats really well, loves to eat, loves it. He sleeps through the night but doesn't sleep soundly. He's bonded with us and the girls. He's small for his age but what is his age really? There are so many puzzle pieces but we don't know what the picture looks like. So last Wednesday we went to Pittsburgh Children's Hospital to see a pulmonologist. I didn't understand much of what he said but it was a relief to finally have a doctor agree with us and say there is something wrong. One thing I remember him saying is that Rowan's lungs are hyper-inflated. I don't know what that means. Sorry. He referred us to a GI specialist because Rowan's abdomen protrudes so much. She thought he wasn't gaining weight because he is using so many calories just to breathe he's got none left over for growth. She ordered lots of tests, blood work to check for parasites and an ultrasound of his belly and chest. He's already had chest and abdomen x-rays. Yesterday we were back in Pittsburgh to see an ENT specialist. He thinks it could be reflux, though Rowan rarely spits up. He prescribed zantec or something like that to see if that helps. After seeing the GI on Friday and then the ENT yesterday we thought we were finally making some headway. However, after talking to the pulmonologist we feel like we're back to square one. He disagrees with both the GI and ENT specialist. Arghhh! What they all agree on however, is that they all need to do a scope. What's a scope? I don't know. What I understand is that they put Rowan under using anesthesiology (did I spell that right?) and then put a camera down his throat or nose and take pictures and biopses of his esophagus, stomach, intestine, lung... I'm not scared, just worried. What if they don't find anything? What if they do this and still don't know what is wrong with him. Why isn't he growing and why is this so hard to figure out? I'm so tired. My poor Henley celebrated her tenth birthday yesterday at home with her sisters and grandma while Adrian and I took Rowan to Pittsburgh. I want this to end but I want it to end with a clear answer, but what if there is no clear answer? The scope was set for Monday but it's been post-poned till all three doctors can attend. Hopefully, we'll find out tomorrow when the new date is. I know God knows what the problem is. I just pray He will tell these doctors the solution.