A Really, Really Hard Day!

Well, we had a couple of really good days in a row . . . but today it all came crashing down like a ton of bricks.  I have a lot of information to share,  but will try to summarize the best I can for tonight.  

This afternoon it was apparent that our little Crew was in some sort of pain.  He was crying and kicking his little legs, and acting differently than normal.  His abdomen was also more firm and distended than it had been the day before.  Fortunately the nurses and respiratory therapists picked up on these subtle signs and reported them to the doctor.  They took this seriously and obtained an x-ray, where they soon discovered "free air" in his abdomen . . . a very emergent situation.  This basically means that air had escaped from somewhere in his digestive tract and was filling up his abdominal cavity.  The surgeons were called  to his bedside where he was operated on immediately.  The surgeons found a hole (perforation) in his stomach . . . a very rare area for perforation.  They believe this perforation is a result of being so critically ill and having decreased blood flow(ischemia) to that area at some time within the past several days.  They were able to remove the damaged section of his stomach and then carefully and meticulously sew the edges back together.  He tolerated the surgery fairly well, given the circumstances.   Needless to say, he is extremely critical once again.  He is receiving a post operative blood transfusion.  He is at high risk for infection and has been started on numerous antibiotics.  The surgeons have placed a tube through his nose and into his stomach to help alleviate any air from getting through.  He is heavily medicated and sedated, and will be for some time.  He is still on the conventional ventilator and oxygenating well.  He still has his chest tubes.   His heart rate is normal for the time being . . . they had to stop the Sotalol because it was an oral medication.  His blood pressure is holding, and he is still peeing. 

The next several days are going to be critical.  We need this surgical repair to heal without complication.  If the repair holds without interruption, the plan is to test it in one week.  They will take him to fluroscopy(a continuous x-ray) and place dye in his stomach to rule out any leakage.  Then, if things look like they are healed properly they might be able to attempt to cautiously feed him. 

Once again, we ask you to remember our little "Crew baby" in your prayers.  He and his parents need them now more than ever.  We have faith that he will pull through this, and that he is strong enough to recover without any lasting effects.  We need the strength from your faith and prayers too!

If you have questions or comments, please send them to me at this time (jenlschow@gmail.com).  Terrel and Gretchen are  overwhelmed with the information they are receiving from the doctors and nurses, and are trying to focus all their attention on their son at this time.  They are so appreciative of all of your support, but understandably very shaken right now.

Just before surgery