Last Wednesday's surgery seemed to go smooth for Micah. Sarah and I noted that he had done better than we expected. Once we hit the third day, Micah was nearly back to his normal self. He was accomplishing all the mile markers doctors had set--eating, drinking, walking, etc. Sunday we were anticipating he would be discharged on Monday, just in time for a lazy Labor Day with family at home.
Monday morning, however, Micah had another blood-vomiting episode. An endoscopy showed enlarged blood vessels in the stomach and esophagus. The doctor placed a band around one vessel to seek to prevent another bleeding episode. During the procedure Micah's right lung collapsed leading to him remaining on the ventilator until 4:00 AM (long night for him and Sarah).
A CT scan showed that the splenal vein that was surgically attached to the renal vein had some flow through it, but not nearly the volume expected and need, leading again to the issue of increased blood pressure that likely caused the bleeding and vomiting episode.
At this moment (Tuesday at 1:53 PM), Micah is undergoing a procedure with radiology in which they hope to be able to determine the reason for the decrease in blood flow and hopefully either open the area or insert a stint. If the issue cannot be corrected, the next step would be to surgically go in again to try to address the situation.
This has been a set back to say the least, especially given that we were just 48 hours ago expecting to go home and seeing such positive signs in Micah's health. Even so, we are grateful for the grace of God that carries us through these difficult moments and disappointing times. Regardless of the situation, when expectations are met with a different reality, disappointment, if not despair, can creep into any heart. Except for the grace of God, we all go to despair and lose sight of our hope. The hope we take refuge in is the hope that God is in control and has ability that supersedes that of doctors. Yet we also take hope in the way God uses human instruments, like doctors, to work his healing at times.
Please continue to pray for healing for Micah and strength and peace for our family. Regardless of the number of times you come to these points, you never grow used to them or seeing your child go through these difficulties. Therefore, we are grateful for you love, encouraging words, visits and, most importantly, carrying Micah to the throne of God in prayer and laying him there.
Monday morning, however, Micah had another blood-vomiting episode. An endoscopy showed enlarged blood vessels in the stomach and esophagus. The doctor placed a band around one vessel to seek to prevent another bleeding episode. During the procedure Micah's right lung collapsed leading to him remaining on the ventilator until 4:00 AM (long night for him and Sarah).
A CT scan showed that the splenal vein that was surgically attached to the renal vein had some flow through it, but not nearly the volume expected and need, leading again to the issue of increased blood pressure that likely caused the bleeding and vomiting episode.
At this moment (Tuesday at 1:53 PM), Micah is undergoing a procedure with radiology in which they hope to be able to determine the reason for the decrease in blood flow and hopefully either open the area or insert a stint. If the issue cannot be corrected, the next step would be to surgically go in again to try to address the situation.
This has been a set back to say the least, especially given that we were just 48 hours ago expecting to go home and seeing such positive signs in Micah's health. Even so, we are grateful for the grace of God that carries us through these difficult moments and disappointing times. Regardless of the situation, when expectations are met with a different reality, disappointment, if not despair, can creep into any heart. Except for the grace of God, we all go to despair and lose sight of our hope. The hope we take refuge in is the hope that God is in control and has ability that supersedes that of doctors. Yet we also take hope in the way God uses human instruments, like doctors, to work his healing at times.
Please continue to pray for healing for Micah and strength and peace for our family. Regardless of the number of times you come to these points, you never grow used to them or seeing your child go through these difficulties. Therefore, we are grateful for you love, encouraging words, visits and, most importantly, carrying Micah to the throne of God in prayer and laying him there.
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