Surgeon Visit and Elvis Sighting

This morning was our first appointment with Dr Adamson from pediatric surgery since we have all been home from the hospital.  Dr A asked how things were going at home and we said great. We are totally comfortable doing the dressing change.  We also said she is doing amazing with her feedings.

Dr A and his nurse practitioner unwrapped and took a look at the omphalocele. He was very happy with the progress of the skin growth. Also, the discoloration of the remaining membrane is perfectly fine. Willa was amazing while Dr A was pressing along the outside of the om checking for the abdominal wall development. I did question what that downward pressure on the om was doing to her breathing ability and he said it would make it more difficult.

If there were reason to, the abdominal wall is strong enough to handle a surgical repair of the om.  However, there is no reason to rush things and we will continue to allow Willa grow bigger and stronger. Dr A didn't exactly give us a timeline for the surgery. All he said was we could wait up to a a year...but we won't.  I know you all wanted a definite time for the repair but we all just need to be patient.

Dr A does not think the current turtle shell prosthetic will be what we use to start squeezing the organs back inside. Instead, he wants something smaller and more cupped around the om. Our next stop after meeting with Dr A was go meet with the folks at prosthetics.  We will continue to meet with Dr A on a regular basis.

The guy from prosthetics took lots of measurements of the wrapped om. This time Willa made her displeasure known. She was crying the entire time. The new device will be ready the first part of next week and will have a front and back support.  Not sure if we will still have a turtle or another animal to describe everything.

We wanted to make a quick stop at the NICU before heading home. Easier said than done when the Children's Miracle Network Telethon is happening. Even Elvis was at the hospital trying to raise money. Oh, and it isn't a smart thing to walk through a hospital with newborn. People were coming up trying to get a closer look. Daren and I had to do some germ dodging. We finally made it to the NICU and left them cupcakes, turtle brownies, and scotcharoos.  I had to give the folks at the NICU a sugar rush so they can last until their shift ends at 730pm.

I know I was tuckered out after the excitement of the hospital. Willa and I took a nice long nap on the couch. Not sure if Daren was snoozing as well when he wasn't snapping pictures of us.