Surgery Went Well

Kalista's face after we explained what was going to happen today

Kalista had surgery this morning. They were able to get her surgery bumped up earlier in the morning for the 9 am slot. Needless to say, we rushed out of the house like the Tazmanian Devil to get there to sign the consent forms.

The procedure took a little over three hours and the surgeon said he was very pleased because it was a very difficult surgery for him. Dr. Saenz was able to give her the low profile Mic-Key button G-tube, which is what we were hoping for. What made the surgery difficult was the geography of all her organs and the small space he had to work with. The base of her esophagus was slightly tilted and her stomach was a little tricky to manipulate. We were told her pericardium (heart) got accidentally nicked in the process with the first incision, but was caught and repaired. Thank goodness!!! In the end, Dr. Saenz got the job done!

Kalista is recovering now in the main NICU because she needed to be intubated again (due to the anesthesia). They will wean her off of the ventilator within the next 24 hours when she starts to wake up and get a little bit more active.

Our next goal is to heal up a little bit more and start feedings again. Lora, the dietitian, told us that they will start with pedialyte first and then move her onto milk from there. When she can tolerate her full feed amounts..then she will be discharged. If things go right, we are hoping for just another two more weeks in the NICU. Don't get us wrong, we love our nurses....but it's time for us to go.

We have pictures of the G-tube and her belly...but they are a little graphic.

Please visit our photo album "Mr. Bumpy-UNCENSORED" for the latest updates on the belly beast himself if you are not squeamish.

OR click on the link for faster access: Mr.Bumpy Speedy Link