Another Surgery on the Horizon

After Teryn's scare the other day we have completed an upper GI study and have consulted with the pediatric surgeons as well as Teryn's plastic surgeon.


The study showed that she had reflux in her esophagus immediately after the barium was put into her stomach. The ped surgeon said this really concerned him along with the fact that once it got in her esophagus it tended to pool there and was very slow to empty back down into her stomach. He was very clear that he is not usually a proponent of this type of surgery and would rather handle things with other types of less invasive therapy. However, in Teryn's case with all facts considered it is his strong recommendation to do a Nissen revision. She had this surgery done when she was 3 1/2 weeks old. They take a portion of her stomach and wrap it around the esophagus to create a tighter sphincter. It is possible that Teryn's has come undone over time and with other procedures she has had.


Her plastic surgeon has okayed the surgery but with very strict precautions as far as her intubation. She will have to have a breathing tube put in her mouth during the surgery and her PS wants to be sure that an attending (instead of a resident or fellow) is the one to do it to hopefully reduce any risk of disturbing her newly reconstructed palate .


We were given the option to have the surgery done at our home hospital but have made the decision to remain here for a couple reasons. We love the ped surgeon we have at home and he is very familiar with Teryn. But if there is a need for consultation with a pediatric specialist in any other area then Teryn will be sent back here anyway. Additionally the staff here is aware of her status post-op and the complications we have had so far. We are very much ready to go home and James having to miss another week of work is creating a whole new set of problems, but being with Teryn and getting her what she needs is the ultimate priority.
Surgery is planned for first thing Friday morning. Please pray with us that everything will go smoothly and without complications. Once surgery is complete we will stay a couple of days to get her back up to full feeds and make sure she is tolerating them well. I know God has a plan and trust that He will provide us with the perfect team to complete this procedure with success.
Below are a few snippets of the past couple days. Teryn has been feeling so much better and wanting to play, play, play!

Taking a nap after all of that playing.

She demanded that we make her a play area on the floor.

Snuggling with Daddy before bedtime.