No Answers

They did a diagnostic test on Rowan yesterday (Upper GI and gastrograffin enema) to check out his digestive system. The good news is that he doesn't have any obstructions and there are no twists or bends in his intestines that could cause problems. The bad news is, there isn't really any good reason for things to not be moving that is an easy fix.

Likely, it is simply that he was dehydrated for a while after being diuresed and that he hasn't had any oral feedings combined with all the medicines he is getting that slow down his belly. All feedings have been through IV, so he hasn't really had much to make stool from so his smooth muscle tissue can pass it through his system.

The plan today is to give him a sort of intestinal "flush" to clear out some gas bubbles and get things moving a little bit. If he throws up like the other times, this will not work.

They've had to increase his ventilator support, he may need more blood given to him today, and his vitals are not looking as strong (namely NIRS and Sats, which the blood will help). He is still leaking a lot of fluid from his chest tube, though now the thought is that this fluid is coming from his belly. They are trying to turn down his morphine, but when he is awake, he is very clearly uncomfortable.

I don't know if it is fair to say he is worse, so much as unchanged, and no real "fix" is known, so we have to do a lot of waiting.

Needless to say, he isn't looking nearly as good as he had before we had these problems surface. We are frustrated at the waiting and lack of definite answers too.

If you are a friend or family member who has a lot of medical background knowledge (other heart families or doctor/nurse/etcs) we don't mind your medical questions because it isn't as hard to explain things to you. Explaining what is going on is really emotionally draining, so when we can be more specific, it's easier.

Otherwise, keep in mind that we have crummy reception and may just not be in the mood to talk when you call. Texting should always be your first choice. Also, please (I know it's hard) try not to ask questions about what the plan is or what is causing things. We are telling you all we know right here on the blog and having to say "we don't know" out loud over and over again makes us feel less hopeful about getting through each day or that progress will eventually be made.

I promise that we are updating the blog when we have information to share. We want to keep everyone informed, but there are a lot of days with no change or progress, and a lot of days where we don't have any answers so there isn't anything to share. We just need to focus on taking care of things here and keep our heads in the game.

Thank you so much for being so understanding. Hopefully this "flush" will work and we can feed him and he won't throw up. Hopefully getting blood will turn his vitals around and he can get back on track. Hopefully our next post will be good news and I won't sound so crabby. Regardless, we will have the information here as soon as it is feasible.