Post Surgery Details and Update

Reilly made it through the surgery very well and is recuperating nicely.  She is currently feeling the pain and learning when she needs the pain medication.  She is on antibiotics, iv fluids, and heparin.  The doctors are working on finding the right dose of blood thinners, so that keeps changing every 4 hours. 

As some know, the doctor was unable to do the Rex Shunt on Reilly.  Upon accessing her liver via fiberoptic camera, she had no remaining portal vein inside the liver.  There was no tissue left in which to attach the shunt.  SO, a mesocaval shunt was done (plan B).  The doctor used a synthetic piece of material to shunt the mesenteric vein to the inferior vena cava.  This allows most of the blood from the gut to flow into the inferior vena cava and back to the heart.  Her liver will continue to function as it apparently has been for a very long time, only filtering the blood brought in from the hepatic vein.  The doctor used an adult size piece of material so that as she grows, it will be able to handle larger capacity without having to replace the shunt.

The major concern for this procedure is the risk of the shunt clotting off.  It is a synthetic piece of material and the body will naturally attempt to close it off.  She will remain on blood thinners for at a minimum 6 months, with the real possibility of taking them for her lifetime.  She should hopefully be able to resume normal active little girl activities (like soccer and/or gymnastics) in about 6 months or so.

Reilly is handling the recovery pretty well.  She is feeling the pain in her belly, but we think she may have started passing gas, which is causing pressure in her abdomen and causing discomfort.  She is moving her limbs relatively well, we are trying to get her over being scared to move.  She is on pretty heavy duty pain medication, but the doctors and nurses keep telling us to use it, that is what it is for.  She dozes on and off.  She remains in ICU for now, but will probably be moved to a regular room either later tonight or tomorrow.

The Anderson tube? (tube through nose into stomach using suction) and the Foley catheter were removed earlier today and she is MUCH happier.  She was taken off of the oxygen cannula early this afternoon and seems to be doing just fine.  She had a CT scan today to check to see if the shunt is patent, and we are waiting for those results from the transplant team.  She finally got to have ice chips and water, but has not been incredibly thirsty since she is able to have fluids!

We finally got a really big smile a few minutes ago, which is very comforting.  She still has an arterial line, a central line, and an iv in her hand and in her foot.  She got a happy from her brother today and Cole's visit seemed to really brighten her mood.  She also got a care package from her Aunt Ashley and Hello Kitty is sitting patiently on her bed, watching over her as she sleeps.

The doctors have indicated that she is doing remarkably well post surgery, compared with other children they have seen with similar procedures.  SO, again, apparently, ROCK STAR status confirmed! 

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, wishes, etc.  Please continue because tomorrow she has to sit up in a chair, which I am certain is not going to be the most fun experience we have ever had.  She has some way to go to fully recover, but she is well on her way.

I am thankful to the good Lord that we have had, all things considered, a pleasant road so far.