Question number one

For the next couple of entries I plan to answer some of the questions we've gotten lately. I haven't focused much on Eden's health specifics or the ways in which this transplant has changed her (besides the obvious "saving her life" part). Maybe you've wondered the same things, maybe not.

Starting with the most frequent...

Is Eden eating? (say that 20 times fast)

Yes, Eden is eating better, much better. Knock on wood. As you have probably gathered, Eden has had feeding issues her entire life. Starting as an infant, she would cry, arch, and swat at the bottle. We counted her volume by cc's rather than ounces until she was around 15 months old. She tried every medicine the specialist could recommend, feeding therapy only gave moderate improvement, and the allergist came up empty handed. As a result, her weight and growth suffered.

Although we didn't see a night and day difference after the transplant (especially because she was vomiting with all the medicine), she has gradually started to feed easier and eat more, creating an entirely more pleasant experience. She does still drink her special formula (Alimentum) in a bottle, although now it is a calorie booster rather than the only calories she would get all day. I should be praising rather than cursing that bottle because it has saved Eden from a feeding tube.

She actually enjoys many foods. The toddler staples of course like mac 'n cheese, chicken nuggets, pizza, etc. But her palate is broadening, even to fruits and vegetables (a girl after my own heart). Yesterday I heard her say, "I like broccoli, I like peppers, and I like hot dogs." Well, two out of three ain't bad! The truth is, there are no "good" and "bad" foods in our house. She has even had ice cream for breakfast.

I don't want to paint too rosy of a picture. She still has her good and bad days and with every good day I wonder how long it will last or if she will vomit all that she has just ingested. Her weight has not increased since the transplant as they hoped. We add a calorie booster called Benecalorie to some of her food and I cross my fingers behind my back every time she stands on the scale. She is at 23 pounds.

I can not tell you how frustrating it is to have a child that doesn't eat. Literally won't put anything in her mouth. I have shed more tears over it than lost loves, car accidents, and acne combined - and that's a lot! So needless to say, I am more grateful than words can express for the spaghetti and meatballs, avocado, tomatoes, and peaches Eden actually ate tonight.

The weight will come next, right? Please say yes.