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SharonWatt

Matthew's surgery

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Surgery to move the intestines out of the diaphragm and into the abdominal cavity was scheduled for sometime after 5pm on Monday 14/11/2014.
Fortunately my husband and I went home from work slightly early to sort out all the farm animals on our small holding before going to the hospital for the BIG wait.
At about 9pm Prof Beale began what was about a two hour operation, not without it's complications.
The intestines (it seems like only the intestines had moved into the diaphragm, not any other organs too) were removed from the diaphragm and inserted into the abdomen. Unfortunately, Matthew's little abdomen was too small for the intestines and he was unable to breath with the intestines in. Intestines were quickly removed, Matthew was resuscitated and the intestines placed in an external bag.
Due to the fact that the hernia was quite small the doctors were concerned that the intestine might be damaged due to lack of blood flow to it, and the bag became quite useful in permitting the doctors to monitor his intestines for the next few days.
Thereafter began another waiting game.
Tuesday lunchtime brought another stressful time when the doctors once again battled to stabilise Matthew's blood pressure and his blood oxygen levels. Moved him back onto the oscillator.
On the Thursday morning (27/11) he had another bad turn with his heart rate racing up to over 200. They were once again able to stabilise him and later that morning moved him off the oscillator and onto a normal ventilator. It appears that his intestines are fine, have now turned pink and are slowly being naturally absorbed into his body. The only concern now is a continual build up of air outside of his lungs, a chest tube has been inserted to remove this.
The doctors are now slowly pushing his intestines back into his abdomen and hoping to be able to close up his cut tomorrow (1/12/2014).
Still concerned about a build up of air outside of the lungs which is being released via a tube in his chest.
Praying that he will soon be able to be moved off of the ventillator and onto oxygen so that his mommy and daddy can hold him for the first time.

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  1. MonicaForquer's Avatar
    Wow Sharon, I've been reading up on Matthew's story! I'm glad that he's gotten through surgery and hoping that he continues to progress!