Hungry and waiting

Garrett's surgery is set for today, we just don't know the time yet.

Which is really frustrating Garrett because he's HUNGRY! He hasn't eaten since lunchtime yesterday and is on NPO until the operation. So, when he comes out the other side, he'll be ravenous and probably still unable to eat for 12-24 hours post-op because they'll keep him on fluids and clear foods (jello, which he hates, chicken broth, which he also hates) to watch the stoma output. I haven't told him this last part, since he keeps asking for candy and will probably kill the messenger. I'll let the nurses take that bullet.

Unlike other stays, Garrett is in pretty good shape coming in. He's put weight on, his muscles are strong again, and he's happy. So, we're hopeful that the stoma revision secures his small intestine and he stops having prolapses when he runs and plays.

More to come...

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Ultrasound and ice cream

Yesterday, Garrett’s right arm and hand began to swell below his central line and there is a significant difference in size between the right and left side. I asked for an ultrasound. The ultrasound was very painful for Garrett. The sores on his body hurt to touch and he has quite a lot of large ones where the ultrasound probe had to be pressed. He screamed through most of the ultrasound prolonging the process. Garrett does have a small clot, but it is not fully occluded. Typically, an anticoagulant would be started, but in a post-op IBD patient, the protocol is not as straightforward. Hematology and surgery are meeting this morning to determine next steps. They want to save the central line in order to provide nutrition for Garrett, but need to determine the best course of action. In the interim, he is on pain medicine for his arm (in addition to his abdomen and skin) as the swelling in his hand has now become significant and very painful. He can’t close his han...

Out of Surgery

Garrett had a successful stoma revision and is in post-op; we're waiting for him to wake up. Speaking with his surgeon, everything went well. It wasn't obvious what caused the small bowel obstruction (ie, adhesion or kink), but his doctor did think the opening in the abdominal wall fascia was tight and food may have obstructed it, leading to an inflamed and swollen bowel. More to come...

Garrett's Home!

Garrett is back home! Though tired, he wanted to try and catch the tail end of the school day at HFS. We thought it better that he just come home; he's already had some pizza and is relaxing in bed playing Roblox by himself. Gibson is not home from school yet, and all Garrett wants to do is play with his brother! Jill and I are happy that our house will be full again tonight. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and support this week!

Updates on Garrett

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