This morning when the surgeons performed exploratory surgery, they found pneumatosis, a condition where air is inside a portion of the colon walls. This must have seeped into his tummy, causing the air there, but thankfully there were no perforations, and the rest of his colon and intestines look great. He does now have a colostomy, temporarily, to allow the damaged part of the colon to rest and heal, before reversing the surgery and praying that this will fix his bowel issues. I don't currently know how long they plan to leave the colostomy on, but I should have that information soon.
We were told that the pneumatosis is not the cause of the bowel issues he's had for the last eight months, that it's recent and very painful. Patrick and I believe that the part of the colon affected has been sick and weak since the feeding tube surgery, and that it's just gotten worse. We are hoping that once the colostomy is reversed, that will be an end to all the bowel troubles. As for now, we feel that all the vomiting, bloating, distention, laxatives, motility meds, and suppositories will not be an issue because the stool will flow directly into the bag, and Levi's little body doesn't have to deal with it for a while. I believe the extra seizures, though still very light, that he's been having are due to the GI problems, and will now resolve. He has been so sick, and still finds time to be happy and learn and progress. If the colostomy provides him with freedom from GI pain, then it's worth it. I can't imagine how much happier he will be, and how much more he will learn and progress.
Right now he is resting comfortably. They have him on round the clock scheduled pain meds. He actually looks much better now than he did before the surgery. That ferocious frown is gone, and he looks relaxed instead. Please continue to pray for his recovery and healing!
We were told that the pneumatosis is not the cause of the bowel issues he's had for the last eight months, that it's recent and very painful. Patrick and I believe that the part of the colon affected has been sick and weak since the feeding tube surgery, and that it's just gotten worse. We are hoping that once the colostomy is reversed, that will be an end to all the bowel troubles. As for now, we feel that all the vomiting, bloating, distention, laxatives, motility meds, and suppositories will not be an issue because the stool will flow directly into the bag, and Levi's little body doesn't have to deal with it for a while. I believe the extra seizures, though still very light, that he's been having are due to the GI problems, and will now resolve. He has been so sick, and still finds time to be happy and learn and progress. If the colostomy provides him with freedom from GI pain, then it's worth it. I can't imagine how much happier he will be, and how much more he will learn and progress.
Right now he is resting comfortably. They have him on round the clock scheduled pain meds. He actually looks much better now than he did before the surgery. That ferocious frown is gone, and he looks relaxed instead. Please continue to pray for his recovery and healing!
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