FULL OF IT

After 4-5 days of Cora complaining about belly pain, we decided we better get it checked out. (We'd discussed with nurse Grambot and figured that while it didn't sound like an emergency / appendix issue, it warranted a doctor visit.) An x-ray showed major compaction/constipation and blood work came back normal (no indication of infection), so we were sent home with instructions to give her Milk of Magnesia and to slightly alter her diet (less chocolate milk, more fiber). She was sent home with a giant sucker and bragging rights (she told EVERYONE "I'm FULL of poop! And I didn't even cry when they stabbed me with the needle - I just screamed real loud.")

We were supposed to give it a week or so, then come back if she was still complaining of pains. After a few days it seemed about the same, but then on Monday her teacher called me in a panic saying that she was crying about her tummy hurting bad, so we went to rescue her and take her back to the doctor. They did another x-ray, which showed improvement, but that she was still far more constipated than she should have been. She went to see the nurse at school the following day due to continued pain, so we decided to schedule a CT scan to rule out other potential culprits.

The scan came back clear of anything scary, but showed significant constipation and gas in her stomach and intestines (probably due to her freak out when they put the IV in and she was gulping air while sobbing), and potential (though unlikely) infection. We were referred to a pediatric GI specialist and had to wait a couple weeks to meet with her when she had her next day in Vicksburg (which we took as a good sign, since there was clearly no emergency that would warrant them sending us straight to Jackson to see her). We met with the specialist on Monday and she was very patient with all our questions and had a great bedside manner. We opted to hold off on scoping her for a month (in the hopes it won't be needed) and in the meantime start giving her Miralax and completely cut out chocolate milk (and most other lactose), as well as acidic foods. We could have waited on another round of blood work (to look specifically for thyroid problems, since they run in the family, as well as Celiac disease), but we were anxious to know one way or the other and Cora said she could be brave, so she took the needle (without a scream OR a tear). We're still waiting on those results, but the Miralax has been helping clean her out and she's starting to complain less about belly pain, so hopefully we'll get this worked out without further adieu...