Kyara Dzenis

Kyara Dzenis

Thursday, January 1, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!


Here's to a healthy, happy, productive 2009!


Kyara is doing fairly well. We are still struggling with eating. For the past week we have been pushing milk, cheese, fruits, potatoes, etc on Kyara. After each meal she has been complaining about cramping and major "intestines ache". We figured she was eating too much at each meal and thought it was something we would have to watch. She was not eating much, but I don't know what the capacity of her stomach is anymore, so who know what too much is?! Kyara is supposed to be eating 5-6 small meals throughout the day, but after eating one meal she would complain for the rest of the day and not want to eat anymore. This has been a source of frustration for me. Kyara can sometimes be on the "dramatic side", so it was difficult to tell whether she was seriously hurting, or using this as an excuse not to have to eat or drink the high calorie drinks. We have also noticed that Kyara doesn't not have interest in many of the foods that were once a treat for her. For example, she no longer wants ice cream or chocolate... is she still related to me??? :)


On Wednesday, January 31 we ate lunch with Dr. Meyers and Nurse Kim (Kyara's GI doctor and nurse in Atlanta). This gave Dr. Meyers an chance to see Kyara eat. About 15-20 minutes into the meal she started making faces like she was in pain and began to cry about her stomach hurting. Dr. Meyers observed all of this and asked lots of questions about how long this had been going on and what was in her diet. After a lengthy discussion, Dr. Meyers feels Kyara may have "dumping syndrome." Basically this means that food is leaving her stomach to quickly and drawing in water from her body which makes her feel very crampy and nauseated. We are adjusting her diet to help with this problem. She is now on a low carb, high fat and protein diet. This diet is very similar to the Atkins diet. We are going to try it until Monday, then call Dr. Meyers with results - see if the cramping stops. Dumping Syndrome is most likely the cause for her pain (which I now feel guilty for thinking that she was being dramatic). There are other things that could be going on, too. But we will explore those problems if the diet doesn't help.

3 comments:

Michelle said...

It might take a little while, but you and the Dr.'s will get her diet figured out. She still looks very good and happy. Hang in there, I'm sure the icecream and chocolate will come back!!

Michelle said...

Hang in there, Kyara! I can't imagine the chocolate and ice cream thing, either. Hopefully your new diet will help, and your tummy will soon adjust! Good for you for staying on top of it, Mom! We continue to think of you and pray for Kyara... we especially miss seeing Kassey's smiling face each morning at breakfast. Say hello to Peggy for me, and best wishes in the New Year!
Michelle

Unknown said...

I am the grandmother of an 11 yr old boy with Crohn's..his mom was having to give him nausea meds every morning until she discovered Phillips Colon Health at CVS..it helped with her heartburn too!