Karson Update

Karson had his 9 month doctor appointment today. We found out a few things today not only from Dr. Tucker but from Dr. Guarin. First of all Karson did not have pneumonia last weekend like we were told at Urgent Care. Dr. Guairn told me this on Tuesday but followed up with a pedatric radiologist and they also said there was no pneumonia. So that is great news.

While at Dr. Tucker's office we discussed Karson's high fever and the rash he now has. Dr. Tucker is 99% sure Karson has Roseola. He also said that since Karson is cutting a top tooth, this could be another reason he is so grumpy and grumpy he is when he is not having something for the pain.

His 9 month check up went great. He is not worried about Karson's growth, development or anything of that nature. There is still the concern from all of Karson's doctors about his reflux and lung issues.

Today he weighed 18 pounds 13 ounces and is in the 25%tile, his length is 28.5 (50%tile) and his head is 46.5cm around (75%tile). Bailey was 1 before she weighed as much as Karson does now. So he is not having issues right now with eating.

Dr. Tucker told me to call with any questions and follow up with him if I have concerns about anything.

This afternoon Kyle and I saw Dr. Rothenberg with Karson to see about having surgery to help with his reflux. Both Kyle and I went to this appointment only because Dr. Guarin and Dr. Barrios thought it would be a good idea from us to hear from the surgeon. The procedure recommended for Karson is called a Nissen. There is a lot of information out there about this and it can be good and bad. One of the issues could be the ability to ever vomit again and this is HUGE. Dr. Rothenberg says that 1% of his patients has issues with retching and vomiting after this procedure, that 99% of them do great and are off their reflux meds. There was much more to the conversation as well. He indicated that most children will grow out of reflux between 9-12 months but there is not a "magic" number. He also said that we don't have to rush into this but we will run the risk of Karson getting sick from reflux and his lung issues. He believes in the surgery, he thinks Karson needs the surgery and is willing to do it if we want to move forward now or later. He also said that there are some doctors who do them too tight and some that won't do them on patients that are 9 months old. However, we know that Dr. Rothenberg is well known and has done a lot of these and is an expert in this area. He aslo told us that Dr. Guarin doesn't just refer patients for surgery so she must have felt based on his lung issues that this is what is best for Karson's medical treatment.

Needless to say we have not made any decisions. We will think long and hard before we do.