On Tuesday, when I was visiting with Ari, Dr Jennings showed up promptly to speak to me. This is the first, as we didn’t get to meet Dr Jennings until Ari’s first surgery here, four days after we arrived. We had been playing tag. On Tuesday, however, unexpectedly and out of nowhere the Doc himself came to speak to me. He informed me that the proximal pouch (the top part of the esophagus) was not stretching at all. The distal pouch (the lower part of the esophagus) was getting some stretch but not as much as they expected. When putting tension on the distal end of the esophagus, it was bringing up the diaphragm instead of stretching the esophagus. Yes, Ari had another surgery today. This one “only” lasted 10 hours. Doc says it went well but difficult because of all the scar tissue they had to cut out. They removed more scar tissue to make more room in the thoracic outlet for the proximal pouch to stretch. They also added more sutures to both ends. The sutures only last two weeks so every two weeks they’ll have to go in and replace them. That is if everything goes as planned between those two weeks. We’re 4 for 4 so far. We’ve had a surgery for each week we’ve been here.
Matthew has been battling a sinus infection, a cold, and possibly bronchitis. Ella, we thought, had an ear infection. Both went to a walk-in clinic and got seen. Matt’s got some good drugs (not those kind, people) and Ella only has inflammation in her ear and no ear infection. We’ve worked out a plan for Matt to get some more sleep to help him recover. There’s no hope for Ella, she lives on less sleep than we do, it seems like.
Thank you Aunt Laurie for the cute hat and mittens for miss Ella and all her sleeping gear. They’ll be perfect for the weather coming up. You know Ella loves her books. She knew which package was the books and went straight for it over the other packages. It was cute to watch her get so excited.
Thanks to the Barnes’ for the super awesome ‘box of love’.
Another idea for anyone who wants to contribute… Ari has had several blood transfusions. Donate your blood to your local blood bank.
Mattina
2 comments:
Can't thank you guys enough for setting up this wonderful blog to keep us all in the "loop". My beautiful little great niece is such a strong little trouper, I just love her SO much and can't wait for the day when we can finally get to hold her! Glad Matt and Ella June are feeling better and are getting their much needed rest. Thanks Nina for being so strong throughout Ariana's unpredicted journey. Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!
Try using garlic oil in Ella's ears - works wonders for lessening inflammation... so long as you don't mind the smell (I love the smell of garlic, so it's been a lifesaver for me!) And YES - donating blood is such an amazing way to contribute - you never know whose life you might be saving :) Love you guys - hang in there! And Matt, there's a brewery/restaurant right by Fenway called Boston Beerworks (I think...) that has some tasty brews...
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