July 2, 2008

Okay, we're back on!

Urology showed up about 8:00 last night to take a look at Max's vesticostomy. His nurse said that it had gone down tremendously but that they could still get the idea of what was going on. So, what is happening is intra abdominal pressure from the dialysis. It makes perfect sense. The added pressure from the fluids in his belly are pushing the bladder out through the hole. So, they are going to restart dialysis on Monday (another week behind unfortunately) and when they drain the fluid after it dwells for two hours the nurse has to check and see if it's protruding out. If it is, they simply have to push it back in. The chief of urology said that this is perfectly normal and that she isn't worried about it. The only other thing that they could do would be to have another abdominal surgery, and she doesn't want to put Max through that if it isn't absolutely necessary. If he were to show signs of infection then that would come back up as an option. Unfortunately though, the surgery would entail removing some of his bladder and obviously that is a last resort since his bladder volume is already on the low side. So, we push his bladder back into his belly and move on with the dialysis! Phew! I thought I was going to lose it when they told me they had to stop it again. All is well now :o)

As for the infection in his catheter site, the cultures came back showing a bacteria called something with a really long and complicated name. They said that it is an infection that is common when there is a hole in the belly that has a foreign object in it (g-tubes, catheters, etc). The infection is ONLY on the exterior surface and it requires a daily dressing change from his dialysis nurse (who nicknamed Max, "Dumpling") and polysporin put on it. Again, if he shows signs of an infection (fever, etc), they will take a blood culture and move forward with those results as necessary.

I think that is how the conversation ended with his resident last night! So here's to round three... DING, DING!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was praying for no more road blocks!! Thankfully nothing seems to major. I don't know what to say except that I am sorry you guys are having to go through all of this and that I am thinking of you guys.

Somebody did post this prayer on the preemie board the other day which I thought was really nice.
So I was given this and it touched home with me and thought I would share...

Heaven's Very Special Child
By Edna Massimilla

A meeting was held quite far from Earth.
"It's time again for another birth,"
Said the angel to the Lord above.
"This special child will need much love."
His progress may seem very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show,
And he will require extra care
From the folks he meets way down there.
He may not run or laugh or play;
His thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.
So let's be careful where he's sent;
We want his life to be content.
Please, Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.
They will not realize it right away
But with this child sent from above
Come stronger faith and richer love.
And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for this gift from heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild
Is heaven's very special child.


Denise

Anonymous said...

hey putz......
i love you tons and i would love to come hang on your concrete slab and throw a ball to abbey a thousand times more often!!!!
theres a reason for everything...... kisses!!
love ......... allie baker- neltner