Page 49 - Journey of Hope by Raymond Moldenhauer
P. 49
DAY91
HUGE ROLLER COASTER FALL
Early this morning Heidi noticed that Alyssa’s stomach was
extremely distended, so she called for the nurse. A
measurement revealed that it had increased in circumference
from 27 cm to almost 34 cm. The Nurse Practitioner requested
that Alyssa be immediately moved from the PICU back to the
NICU. Barium X-Ray was taken to see if there was a blockage
from an abrasion (scar) on the intestine. The X-ray was not
conclusive though. So, a Surgeon was called in to discuss the
situation with the Neonatologist and Care Team. Since none
of the other clinical signs (pain, discoloration,….) were
evident, they decided to wait and see if the stomach would
begin to shrink (they were suctioning off the gas), the
inflammation of the intestine would begin to decrease, and
the blockage would begin to clear. None of them wanted to
do surgery if they could help it. This close after the initial
surgery is not a good time.
Kathie had spent the night with Heidi, so she called me
around noon to explain what had happened. I left work and
once again tearfully drove to Wilmington, not knowing what
the day would bring. Alyssa was hooked up to IV’s, had the
suction tube in her nose, and the nasal canula taped back on
Yesterday I closed my e-mail with: “There has been some her cheeks. She was extremely bloated.
talk among the care team that Alyssa could possibly be
going home by this weekend. We will see what tomorrow Alyssa barely cried and appeared to be in no physical pain,
brings.” But, unfortunately, tomorrow came and it’s still although she did grimace now and then (most likely from a
raining. None of us could have possibly expected what hunger pain). And in the midst of this trauma to her body, she
happened today. We thought we were near the finish line. still managed to crack a smile now and then - a blessing to her
Instead, we are facing another possible emergency surgery mom, dad, and especially her Gammy.
first thing tomorrow morning.
