08/23/2009 Fourth Surgery

Well, we were woke up this morning about 2:45 because Mackenzie's heart rate had jumped up to 230 beats a second. Normal for a baby is anywhere between 100-140 or so. They were not really sure what was causing this and the only thing they could think of was a shot they had given her called Albuterol, which can cause an increase in heart rate. During this time there was also the discovery of some green fluid inside her abdomen. Her stomach has been left open this whole time to help with swelling and so the doctor could look in there to see. It has been covered with a lil piece of plastic, it almost reminds me of a fish tank. But anyway, The resident surgeon came in to look at her as scheduled at around six. He didn't really say too much so we waited for the surgeon to come in at nine. He decided he wanted to get her in surgery and find out what exactly what this green stuff was. It could have been either the G-tube having a leak or part of her intestine had perforated where he stitched it up. This could also cause any number of problems. If it was something with her intestines he said he might need to take some more out, or not depending. Or insert some sort of drainage valves to help keep the stuff from leaking in her. Either way, the bile that was now in her where it's not supposed to be would cause problems because the bacteria and what not. Once she was out to surgery she was only gone for about an hour at most which in this case seemed like a good sign. Dr. Lee informed us that one of the sutures had in fact perforated at a curve in the bowel which was the most likely place for something like this to happen. He then went on to say he was able to fix it by simply adding a few more stitches and tightening that part up a lil more. He also said there is a 20% percent chance that it might happen again. Saying that he still closed her up because it would just help the whole healing process, and if need be he could cut the stitches and get back in there. He did not however fully close the skin up, simply because it increases the chance for more infection. The downfall to all of this is if the sutures were to perforate again it would be fairly difficult to tell because they can't just look in there, they would have to watch how she acts and her blood tests and what not, but then there are so many other things going on in her that it could be hard to say what exactly is causing whatever problem. But i guess for now we will just pray that we don't need to worry about that and just move forward. After surgery her heart rate came back down to normal where it has been all day. We also spoke again to the hematologist (blood doctor) and she informed us that we will no longer require her services because the DIC is no longer there. Which is a huge relief and big step for Mac. The rest of the mainly consisted of the doctors adjusting her meds and what not. She need more calcium again as well as magnesium. Her glucose levels are also a lil low, nothing to worry about but not where they like to see them so they are giving her a lil bit sugar to help her out a lil bit. Mackenzie's platelet count made it up 90 today also, which were told was a defense due to the surgery but whatever cause that's the highest they have been in a week. After surgery they also needed to make a minor adjustment with her breathing tube. It was a lil too far in so they just pulled it out some. We were also able to get some of her blankets from home today to put in here lil bed with her. She still needs a bath and some lotion. We can't put lotion on her here cause she is under the heater and that fry her skin basically. So, if everything stays on plan she is all done with abdominal surgeries yay. The next step would be getting that stupid breathing tube out and one more surgery to insert the broviac, which i think i explained before if not i'll do it again when they put it in. We love you all and once again thanks for the prayers and support. God Bless.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19