Akins was a good boy today. He only cried when the doctor made him take his clothes off and lay down. Hell this makes me stress out and want to cry too! He is scheduled for surgery on the 19th - yes next week. It was a bit more serious than we originally thought. When he laughs, cries etc it pushes out his belly button area and it gets very large and hard. This is caused because his internal organs, intestines etc. are pushing out through the belly button ring. He is at risk of his intestines and/or other organs pushing through the belly button ring and then potentially getting caught which is called umbilical strangulation. Essentially, if this were to happen whatever pushed through would lose blood flow and would then require emergency surgery. We don't want this to happen for obvious reasons.
Additionally, the circumsicion is more necessary than we thought as the sleeve is not pulling back naturally and is at risk of closing off the tip which would not allow him to urinate and then could cause kidney failure. Recovery somewhat depends on him and his tolerance to pain, no rough housing that would raise a sweat for two weeks. No baths for two weeks - showers are
okay. I guess it is good it is starting to cool down as he is a warm blooded boy so he gets sweaty pretty easily. She said this was the largest hernia she had ever seen and that being able to put two fingers into the ring opening on a three year old is alarming, in his case she can put four!
He is also at risk of this recurring simply based on his age and the size of the hernia. She is not going to use any articfical materials and so the ultimate goal is to have his own tissue hold everything in place. I good with that as I keep getting spam mail about hernia patch recalls!
So.... we are scheduled for pre-op Monday and surgery on Friday. We have to get it done. The sooner the better. Did I say that the visit gave me an incredible headache and I want to throw up....the thought of him having to endure more than being homeless on the streets of Liberia is killing me.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
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1 comment:
Ahh.....to be a mother. Watching your children when they are in pain be it physical or emotional is the worst. That will never change. And there will be times when you just wish you could trade places with them. You're doing the right thing. This is all needs to be done for his better health. Just be strong for him(we know you are) and you will get through it. Lots of kisses and hugs help.
love ya,
Lori
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