Elijah Kim

Visit to the GI Doctor

We saw the GI Doctor yesterday to follow up on Elijah’s ulcer and bleeding.
First, we discussed his recent symptoms:

His bleeding seems to be lessening overall. Although some days there is more blood than other days. He seems to be having less “cramping” or really painful bowel movements. He’s sleeping eating and pooping well and has gained almost 4 lbs since birth!

The doctor mentioned that if his conditions do not improve, a week of steroids and a second colonoscopy should be done.

He might be able to go off the zantac, so we’re going to try not giving it to him to see if things improve. Doctor also suggested increasing the dose of culturelle to two capsules a day to colonize the good bacteria.

We will observe him for another 6 – 8 weeks to reevaluate.

Annie’s Mom’s House

Just as Elijah was about to be discharged, the very same day that I drove down to the hospital to pick him up, 10 minutes before I arrived, December 5th, Elijah started to excrete blood from his belly button once again. The hospital decided to keep him there a little bit longer to observe.  He stayed there for another full week under observation. He underwent a colonoscopy and an endoscopy and was diagnosed as having an ulcer.  How does a week old infant have an ulcer?  The gastroenterologists said that he was allergic to either formula or something in the mothers milk such as cow’s milk or soy.  After that week, we were discharged. He still had bleeding so he was put on prescription drugs till the ulcer heals.  His next destination was Annie’s Mom’s House.

Transferred to CHOC

Right after he was born, he was vomiting and excreting blood. He entered the NICU to drain the blood out of his system.  We found out that his insurance was not accepted at the hospital so we were transferred to CHOC

Thank you everyone who has prayed for Elijah and us.  We feel that God has really done a miracle to stop the bleeding that occured initially.  After transferring, the docters were looking at the charts and numbers and could not believe that it was this same baby. We are very thankful.

His first birthday ever

Few hours after he was just born.

In the bassinet where evaluations occur.