A long week

It's been a very long week for Jana and myself. We found out last Tuesday that there was still something wrong with Emma's upper bowels and it would require surgery. I think this week has taught us how strong our kids have to be for us sometimes.

There's mixed emotion with the decision that we made to let the NICU do everything they could to save Abby and Emma at birth. On one hand, we are so glad and feel so blessed that they are here with us. On the other, we hate to know that our decision has subjected them to all of the surgeries and procedures that they have had to endure, but we couldn't imagine our lives without them.

I know this surgery hit Jana really hard. The Dr. came in to talk to her about the surgery earlier in the week and began with saying "This surgery is a very risky procedure". I think those were the only words that Jana heard. To go through the last 83 days in the hospital and then hear those words that your precious little angel may not make it through another surgery was too much to bear. Jana broke down and has shed enough tears this week to last her a lifetime.

The doctors found two small holes in Emma's jejunum or the upper small intestine. Typically when they find two holes they will section out that part of her intestine and then attach the two cut ends. Unfortunately the two holes were too far apart for the doctor to do that. So he cut one of the holes out and resectioned that bowel back together. Then he cut the other hole out and pulled the end of the small intestine attached to her stomach out through Emma's skin just above her belly button. The other side of the small intestine that runs into the large intestine is attached to her skin is called a mucous fistula. Evidently, they are going to put Emma back on feed when she has healed. This will get some absorption in her intact small intestine, but a lot will not be absorbed and will deposit into her ostomy bag. Those contents will then be pulled into a syringe and injected into the mucous fistula, so that the rest of the absorption can take place and she can pass it through her system.

The doctors decided to do the procedure this way instead of resectioning each hole due to the pressure that could build up at one of the resectioning spots which could blow out another hole. The ostomy bag will come off when Emma is on full feeds and then they will perform a much less strenuous procedure of resectioning that part of her bowel and closing up her tummy finally. We are looking forward to that day.

Both Emma and Jana are doing good tonight. Emma is off of the ventilator they gave her for the surgery and is back on a nasal cannula. Now that Emma is back in her room and looking good for just having gone through surgery, Jana's stress and anxiety have worn off and now she is completely exhausted. Thanks for all the prayers and positive thoughts that have been going Emma's way.

Jana was able to give Abby a bath for the first time tonight. I took a bunch of pictures and we'll post them soon.

I hope everyone has a happy father's day.