August 25, 2010

In about 8 hours Benjamin will be heading into what we hope will be his last major surgery.

Because he was so unstable when he had abdominal surgery five months ago, his surgeon did not have time to check the bowel below the two perforations she found. She decided to perform two studies earlier this week, a barium enema and a stomagram, so she could have a better idea of the quality of the inside of his intestines and colon before she opened him up. The barium enema showed no strictures (blockages or narrowing) which is such a relief! Remarkably, the stomagram showed the same. The surgical team was surprised, as were we, considering how severe his case of NEC was. Let's just hope the outside isn't an inflamed mess.

While she has him open, Dr. B will also instert a g-tube. We can say bye bye to the ng tube! Although we're not thrilled to have yet something else sticking out of our little boy, it'll come in handy for his meds and alleviate any stress if he refuses the bottle when he comes home. We're hoping his reflux might get a little better once that ng tube is removed too.

Benjamin also has two hernias. Again, if he's doing well during the surgery, those will be taken care of as well.

We appreciate everyone who has reached out to us in some form to let us know that we have been in your thoughts and prayers. Tomorrow is going to be a long, stressful and emotional day and we need those prayers more than ever. We do not know how long he will be in the OR, but Dr. B has booked her entire day for Benjamin. I'm scared because I don't want to see him in pain, and would switch places with him in a heartbeat if I could.