It is Saturday evening. From our last post, we knew that surgery was coming for R. We learned on Wednesday that his surgery would take place on Friday (December 5). With that coming as quickly as it did, we asked the surgeon if we could take R home with us for about 24 hours or so, thinking it would be nice for him to spend some time out of the hospital. We, of course, wanted to spend some time with him. The hospital agreed and it was a wonderful time we had with him.
Surgery was scheduled for Friday morning. It took about 4 hours to complete. The plan was to fix the problem area - his fistula where most of his stool came out. They also planned to fix the area around his gj tube site and relocate his stoma. In short, there were three open wounds they would work on.
At the conclusion of the surgery, the surgeon came out and explained that everything had gone very well. She managed to fix the problem areas and, to our surprise, completed his take down. This means that rather than relocate his stoma, she connected it and put it back into his body. This is normally done about one year after transplant, but the surgeon felt he was ready to have it done now. The great news is he will no longer need a surgery in June for his take down. It's been completed!
As of Saturday evening, R remains in the PICU. We expect him to be there for some time. He will need several weeks to heal. If you recall, he had some significant challenges coming out of previous surgeries. We pray all goes well and the doctors and nurses will be an extension of God's healing touch to him. In addition, R has about a 5 inch incision running vertically on his abdominal area as well as another approximate 5 inch incision running horizontally. It is quite a site.
R has a big battle ahead of him. We will do our part and walk along side as he fights. Thank you for joining with us and praying.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Day 174 - Surgery Scheduled
It has been an eventful month.
R has been in the hospital three times since the first time we took him home. During the times we've had him home, he's been a joy to have as a part of our family. It has been challenging, very challenging at times. It has been a joy to see him be more active, laugh and engage our kids. The reason he has had to go back in is because of his skin. As his stool comes out, it is sitting on his skin, causing it to break down to the point where an appliance/bag cannot sit on it to collect it.
Currently, he sits in the hospital awaiting surgery. The doctor told us when they discharged R for the first time that he would have to come back in for surgery. Because of all that he had went through, they had hoped to do it in the spring - giving him time to recover from being in the hospital for so long and more time to get stronger. Because his skin continues to break down to the point where he has to stay in the hospital, they decided today that they will schedule the surgery as soon as possible.
There is some significant risk to this surgery. The concern is for how he will do during the recovery. We can only pray. Our hope is for a successful surgery and a quick recovery. After that, we would be able to take him home until his next (and hopeful last) surgery - his take down next June.
Surgery is tentatively scheduled for next Monday. Doctors hope to be able to get him in this week. We are praying for a successful surgery and that his recovery goes as smoothly as possible. While we are disappointed we do not get to have him home during the holiday season, we recognize the need for his surgery and look forward to having him home as soon as possible.
Thank you for praying with us. We will update you when we know more about his surgery.
R has been in the hospital three times since the first time we took him home. During the times we've had him home, he's been a joy to have as a part of our family. It has been challenging, very challenging at times. It has been a joy to see him be more active, laugh and engage our kids. The reason he has had to go back in is because of his skin. As his stool comes out, it is sitting on his skin, causing it to break down to the point where an appliance/bag cannot sit on it to collect it.
Currently, he sits in the hospital awaiting surgery. The doctor told us when they discharged R for the first time that he would have to come back in for surgery. Because of all that he had went through, they had hoped to do it in the spring - giving him time to recover from being in the hospital for so long and more time to get stronger. Because his skin continues to break down to the point where he has to stay in the hospital, they decided today that they will schedule the surgery as soon as possible.
There is some significant risk to this surgery. The concern is for how he will do during the recovery. We can only pray. Our hope is for a successful surgery and a quick recovery. After that, we would be able to take him home until his next (and hopeful last) surgery - his take down next June.
Surgery is tentatively scheduled for next Monday. Doctors hope to be able to get him in this week. We are praying for a successful surgery and that his recovery goes as smoothly as possible. While we are disappointed we do not get to have him home during the holiday season, we recognize the need for his surgery and look forward to having him home as soon as possible.
Thank you for praying with us. We will update you when we know more about his surgery.
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