Searches for Solutions

Wow... today I decided to take a look back at my Amazon search history. I was trying to jog my memory regarding toddler toys that I have been thinking of buying for Ethan. I feel that maybe Ethan has been getting "left out" a bit lately, with David and I being so caught up in Elise's ordeal.  Anyway, I was expecting to see a browsing history full of various toys, toddler and baby items, and maybe some other incidental gift searches from Christmas. This, however, was not quite the case.

Here's a peek at the items currently found in my Amazon browsing history: Pregestimil, AquADEKS, Ergocalciferol, Carlson Vitamin D drops, MCT oil, infant weight scale, infant pulse oxometer, rectal thermometer, infant thermometer, 3 mL syringes, Dr. Browns bottles, OxiClean, stain remover, steam cleaners, carpet cleaner, fabric cleaner, Keurig K-Cups.

Of course, I didn't actually buy all of the items for which I searched. These searches resulted from various situations I have encountered during my adventures in Liverland. Here's a little closer look...

The first time I purchased Pregestimil in the store, I immediately began searching online for more less expensive offers on this formula. I didn't find any great deals for Pregestimil on Amazon, but I have had lots of luck on E-Bay.


AquADEKS is the orange-colored liquid multivitamin which Elise requires twice daily; it has been the subject of several previous blog posts, as it causes daily problems in our household.


Ergocalciferol is the Vitamin D2 supplement drops which are prescribed for Elise and cost about $150/ bottle in the pharmacy. Obviously, I was looking for less expensive online retailers....which brings me to the Carlson Vitamin D drops. Elise's hepatologist  approved this brand of Vitamin D3 drops as an alternative to the Ergocalciferol, since it is the same concentration.


MCT oil is the medium chain triglycerides which Elise needs in order to absorb fat and other nutrients adequately; MCT oil is also found in Elise's specialized formula, Pregestimil.

I have often thought it would be nice to have an infant weight scale at home to more closely monitor Elise's weight, as weight gain is a huge issue for her, as it is for most babies with Biliary Atresia. It is very important that Elise gain at least 1 oz/day, on average.

I have to bring her for frequent weight checks at her liver clinic and pediatrician's office. I searched for the infant pulse oxometer a couple of weeks ago when Elise was struggling with RSV.  I was literally staying up around the clock watching her breathe and wondering about her oxygen saturation.

The rectal thermometer and infant thermometer searches were executed when Elise returned home from the hospital, after her Cholangitis stay. I have often doubted the accuracy of the thermometers that we have at home, and I thought maybe a rectal thermometer was the answer.....or not.

The 3 mL syringes? Well, I use those syringes several times each day to administer Elise's meds. She takes  the multivitamins twice/day, the Vitamin D twice per day, Bactrim twice per day, and Ursodiol once daily.

I have invested in the Dr. Brown's bottles in an effort to reduce Elise's spit up episodes, and these bottles have indeed worked wonders.  These are the only bottles I use for her, and for that reason, I now have 8 of them!

The OxiClean, stain remover, carpet cleaner, and fabric cleaner searches have been prompted by the orange stains on Elise's clothes, our carpet, bed sheets, carrier, and stroller due to Elise spitting up the vitamins.

And finally, the Keurig K-Cup searches are suggestive of my effort to preserve my sanity; that is, I drink coffee daily, and my k-cup stock frequently runs low.

Looking back, my Amazon browsing history is indicative of one thing for sure: the life of a "liver mom."