Miss Charlotte was admitted to the N/IICU (Neonatal/Infant Intensive Care Unit) at CHOP last night for her problems with her feeds.
So far she has had another upper GI, which is a scan done by fluoroscopy. Barium was injected into her belly through her NG tube, and an x-ray like machine took a video of the barium moving through her intestines. It verified what we already knew-- her general anatomy is perfect. No problems to report. (Ironically, it was the same radiologist who diagnosed Caleb's problem around this time last year.)
The team of neonatologists consulted and decided that they are going to go ahead a recommend having a procedure called a Nissen Fundoplication and placing a G-tube at the same time. The Nissen is a surgical procedure, but it is a very, very routine procedure-- especially for preemies of Charlotte's kind :) The Nissen will prevent any reflux, which seems to be the source of her problems. It will also mean a lot more feeding intervention than we thought she would need initially. Such is life.
It can be done as a laparoscopic procedure (no incision, just a camera and some instruments) but sometimes needs to be a full incision, it'll depend on how the surgery goes.
So the hope is that we will consult with the general surgery team at CHOP on Friday-- before this holiday weekend. If not on Friday, then it will be on Tuesday. Once she has been properly consulted, the general surgeons will try to find some room on their schedule. It should be a week or so. Then it is about a week of recovery after the surgery.
And that is our current plan.
And I have no idea if any of that made sense-- I've had about 2 hours of sleep in forever :) That might be an exaggeration. Maybe.
I'm really sorry--I've been thinking of you guys all day and hoping no news was good news-- your whole family is in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be.
ReplyDeleteDitto with Katy. Sorry. I will be thinking about you tomorrow at the temple and sending prayers your way.
ReplyDeleteSame here. Best of luck. I'll be thinking about you.
ReplyDeleteZoe was a much happier baby after her Nissen. It really makes a big difference. You can barely see her scars from her surgery. We were very glad that we did the g-tube and nissen. It has allowed her to gain weight well, which has helped her lungs grow. The g-tube seems scarey, but once you learn it it is very simple. We are working on feeding by mouth now. As always, you are in our prayers and if you have any questions we are only an e-mail away.
ReplyDeletesending please blesses and prayers -- and CALL ME!! let me take caleb and get some sleep...i'm here if you need anything.
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