Wyatt James Koger, A Fighter from Birth: Surgery Update

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Surgery Update

Today we had our follow up appointment to last month's x-ray which showed possible reherniation. We arrived at Hopkins in the morning for a chest x-ray and then met with Dr. A, Wyatt's surgeon in the afternoon. The x-ray was extremely fuzzy. Fuzzier than last month. Since the radiologist did not have time yet to read and write a report, Dr. A was going by his observations. The x-ray baffled him. He really isn't sure if he reherniated or not. Because of his increased oxygen requirement, Dr. A said it's about time we get answers. So he called pediatric radiology and asked if a CT or MRI would be better to show if he did reherniate. They advised a MRI. Wyatt has never had an MRI, only CT scans. So Wyatt will get a MRI in the near future (it's getting scheduled) and will need to be sedated for it. Dr. A scheduled Wyatt in for surgery on June 18th just in case. Today at our appointment we had VIP status and got to jump ahead of the others waiting (not that I want to or even asked to), but Dr. A said Wyatt earned his right to be seen ASAP. Wyatt has been in the BEST mood lately... he really shows no sign of distress and you would never know he needs increased oxygen. He is saying all kinds of words, loves to entertain us, and enjoys moving around the house. If he did reherniate, this will be a BIG surgery. Dr. A plans on removing part of his latissimus dorsi (back muscle) and to build a diaphragm with the muscle. Studies show this is very effective in recurrent CDH cases. Most likely a plastic surgeon and/or another pediatric surgeon will be in the OR. I really want to avoid surgery because it's such a stress on Wyatt's body, but on the other hand I don't always want to wonder if he has reherniated and it's preventing his lungs from growing to their full potential. I am ready to face the answers from the MRI. We have an appointment every week in April- GI is next week, Hemotology is the following week and the MRI will be sometime between probably. We are also looking at pre-schools for Chloe and our first appointment for that is tomorrow, and two the following week. Oh... and we have to work too... I just love life... but life would be boring if we did not have these things to keep us on our toes... and our Monday day nurse quit....

1 comment:

Unknown said...: OMG! Good thing you have your mom agenda! :)

Really, you are an inspiration to moms everywhere who get overwhelmed with the little details of daily life.

We'll all be anxious to hear what the MRI shows. So exciting that Wyatt is comfortable and making such huge developmental progress these days!!

Loved the Easter posts too!

Laura; April 15, 2009 at 9:03 PM

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Hurdles that I faced and achieved!

After birth, I was placed on ECMO at Johns Hopkins Hospital for 13 days. On day 13, I had a surgery to repair my hernia and was removed from ECMO, but my organs would not fit in my abdomen. I had a silo for a week and then surgery to place the organs back in the abdomen. Then, part of my intestines re-herniated into my chest cavity two months later and I had another surgery to repair that. After my first surgery, I experienced an intraventricular hemorrhage in my brain and at four months old I received a VP shunt. After I was extubated, I learned that I have right vocal cord paralysis. Then I had g-tube surgery and after I finally got to go home after 5 longs months at Johns Hopkins and Mt. Washington Hospital! Only for a few weeks, though. In mid-April my intestines reherniated again and sent me into surgery. I came home, and had a long run before my THIRD reherniation in the beginning of September on Labor Day weekend in 2008. Then I was hospitalized for twice during the winter 2009 for two respiratory infections. Well, I almost lasted a year until my next surgery! Just this past June, in 2009, I had surgery to wrap my stomach around the esophagus, a nissen. This has helped with my reflux and my hiatal hernia. I will be 2 in October, I love scooting around but refuse to stand up and walk. I am a little miracle and thank God, my doctors, my nurses, family, and friends for my strength, my fight and a happy life.