Another Surgery

Madelynn went in to Primary today to get her gastronomy site closed. It had been three and a half weeks since having her button removed, her site had not closed, as was promised. We called the surgeon and he had us come in.

Madelynn prior to registering for the surgery.

We met with the surgeon, Scaife, who had placed the g-tube and he explained to us how he was going to suture the stomach, abdominal wall, and the skin. He said it would take about an hour, then she would be in recovery, and we would finally be able to see her in post-op.

Madelynn in her scrubs prior to going in to surgery.

We met with the anesthesiologist next, and he went through her medical history, and explained to us how it worked. About half way through he just said you've been through this before huh? (Yes, Dr, twice before). He had us sign the papers, and we walked Maddie as far back as we could go before handing her to him. This time it was not has emotional as the last two. This was not a serious operation, and we knew Dr. Scaife was a very good surgeon.

We had to sit in the same-day surgery waiting area. Our hearts always go out to those parents sitting around us. Cases may be worse, or lessor than Maddie's, but the emotions are the same. Fingers crossed, we won't have to be there again.

Maddie waking up from surgery hungry. She hadn't eaten anything since 11 the previous night and it was now noon.

Maddie's first experience with apple juice. Clear liquids then she got formula when we arrived home.

Back asleep after getting something to drink.

Madelynn got out of surgery around 12:10. We got to see her about ten minutes after that. We sat in post-op until about 1:30, and were able to take her home. She has been a little fussy, which is to be expected, but not too bad. She is eating like a champ, and there is no geyser to follow!

Midnight Phone Call

Last night we were woken up by the surgeons telling us Maddie's incision by her belly button was not closed properly. They have to go back in this morning at eight to close it up. She has fatty tissue coming out of the cut. The surgery shouldn't take very long, and we will get phone calls when it is finished.

Jeremy decided to leave work, and head to the hospital to stay with Maddie. She did not go into surgery until 3:30. In the interim she was given double the pain medication to help keep her comfortable.

Jeremy said it looked like her stomach muscle was popping out, but the doctor said it was fatty tissue. The suture had come out during the night from incision where the camera had gone in.

She came out of the surgery like a champ, and has been sleeping ever since.

Surgery Day

Madelynn had two procedures done today. She had her gastronomy tube placed, and she had two hernias repaired.
The surgeries went as well as could be expected. It is still a shock to see a tube or "button" protruding from your child's abdomen. You could tell she was extremely uncomfortable and in a lot a pain. The anesthesia wore off sooner than expected. She was crying big crocodile tears while we were waiting for the doctor to write the orders for the pain medication.
Her MRI came back, and showed a normal, healthy brain. They did say however it is just an MRI and there may be developmental issues down the road.
We took one picture of Maddie after the surgery to show where and what a gastronomy tube is. The tape is to hold the button in place while the scar tissue develops around the area to hold it in.