Friday update

Resting peacefully before heading back to the OR

Friday has been another eventful day.  During the morning rounds, we found out that the culture from Theo's belly fluid had grown gram negative rods, which means that there is an infection in his belly.  That information changed the plan of action for the day, with the doctors and surgeons deciding right then and there that Theo would need another trip to the operating room to open him up, look for any source of the infection, and clean him out.



Around 11 am, Theo was transported to the pre-op room for another open-abdomen surgery.  We were hoping that there would be no obvious source of infection (ie leaking bowels, holes in his stomach, or anything else), which would have been a bigger deal.  Fortunately, the surgeon did not find any major issues, and was able to clean out his peritoneal cavity well.  The one thing he did find, though, was a kink in Theo's lower intestine.  A portion of the intestine was twisted and distended, and may not have been letting gas or stool pass through, which could have been a significant contributor to his swollen belly.  The kink was straightened out, and we are STILL praying for his bowels to start working (and SOON) so that things can get moved out of there.  The infection is being treated with a couple of heavy antibiotics, which will hopefully knock out the bug.  It takes several days to get the exact strain back from a culture, though, so there is the potential that the infection will continue to brew if a different antibiotic is needed.

Theo is now back in the ICU, on the ventilator, and on heavy sedation.  Last night was very comfortable for him -- heart rate dropped to 90-110 range and his temperature was back to normal -- and it was a relief to see him in a more peaceful state than the last several days.  We're hoping for another peaceful night tonight, but right now his temperature is up again --102.9 currently -- and his heart rate is in the 130-140 range.

One thing is certain: you've never seen a more handsome kid.  Even with all the tubes, lines and wires, he is absolutely precious.  My mom calls him the most popular kid in the hospital, because all of his old nurses and doctors have stopped by to check on him.  And the best news so far: Dubya is working great!!!  Whitney's kidney is perfect for Theo.  Whitney continues to recover nicely, but she is still learning how to take it easy.

The last few days have been draining.  I feel like I don't have any emotions as I write this, actually, because they have all been used up.  I know that Nick and I were genuinely scared on Wednesday and Thursday.  At this stage, after today's surgery, we are hopeful, but also nervous.  Nervous that something else could go wrong, or that everyone is missing something, and we aren't going to get Theo back.  But we are also very hopeful that this is what Theo needs to start back on the road to recovery.

I love having such a strong partner by my side for all of this.  We feel so much support from family, friends and even strangers, and know that Theo is loved by people all over the place.  Thanks for the continued prayers and encouragement.