Page 40 - Journey of Hope by Raymond Moldenhauer

The drive to Dupont Children’s Hospital was different this time. The urgency that we hadn’t felt in
some time was back. It wasn’t a casual drive. We didn’t even pay too much attention to the
beautiful fields of wild flowers that were now in bloom and lining the highway. We only thought
about Alyssa and getting there as soon as possible.

9:30 AM……Kathie and I arrive at the hospital and see Alyssa taken out of the NICU and wheeled
down the corridor to the Imaging Department to get X-rays. The Surgeons wanted to see what they
might find elsewhere in the intestines before going in. We quickly peeked into the transport
incubator and see a very alert baby looking about.

Heidi and Jim are in good spirits. I suppose, in some ways, we are all getting use to Alyssa’s
surprises (she was born unexpectedly, she had her first surgery unexpectedly, she was extubated
unexpectedly, so why not have her future surgery ahead of schedule as well). The second Surgeon
concurred that it would be best to do the final surgery today. About 2 inches of Alyssa’s intestine
came through the ostemy. One surgeon had already pushed it back in with her finger, but the
opening was too week to keep it from protruding back through. Alyssa was on the OR schedule for
the first opportunity to bump another scheduled surgery.

11:00 AM…..The Surgeon came to speak with Heidi and Jim about the procedure. He explained that
they will cut approximately 2 centimeters from each of the protruding ends, stitch them together,
and then close the opening in her side. The procedure is expected to take about 2 hours. He went
over the potential complications as well. If the intestines are not stitched tight enough, they
could leak and cause an infection. The intestines could scar and cause a blockage. The intestines
could also herniate again. But he left us feeling confident in his abilities. And more importantly,
we were confident in the will of our Heavenly Father for Alyssa.

2:00 PM……The surgical team comes to take Alyssa to the OR. Two Surgeons and one Resident
Surgeon would be doing the procedure.

3:15 PM…..We are told that the procedure was going well. The rest of Alyssa’s intestines were
fine. They expected her to be back to the NICU around 4:00 PM.
4:15 PM…...Alyssa is wheeled by the Waiting Room and to her Observation Bed. Heidi and Jim will
be able to see her as soon as she is reconnected to her support systems. The Surgeon explained to
us that everything went very well. She would need to be off of milk for 3 to 5 days to allow for the
intestines to heal. In the meantime, they will provide her nourishment via the IV fluids.
4:30 PM……Alyssa is resting peacefully, but the sight of her swollen, red eyelids have Jim worried
(the eyes had been taped shut during the procedure with tape so they wouldn’t dry out). The tube
in her nose was also larger than she had before and the surgical tape holding the ventilator tube
caused her mouth and cheek to be distorted. But the redness and swelling quickly went away and
the NICU nurse changed the tape. By 5:00, Alyssa looked very good. Her skin color was great. The
wound site didn’t look red or swollen. And, she didn’t have a stoma bag attached to her any
longer!

Heidi placed a hat and socks on Alyssa to help keep her warm under the radiant heat
from above her bed. And we went home knowing that she was under the tender care
of her Heavenly Father.