11.27.17 Another Surgery

We took Aimee in for her follow up with the orthopedic surgeon today. We were concerned going in since the wound in her back had increased in size since we saw him last Monday. He had a plastic surgeon and wound care specialists come in and look over the wound too. All of them were really impressed with how well Ed had cared for the area, keeping it clean and neatly changing out packing strips and dressing. Everyone was disappointed to see how much larger the cavity had become. It is now tunneled over 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. It is not infected, but is also not healing. 

The surgeons and specialists decided together that Aimee will need to come back in Wednesday morning for another surgery. She will have the wound area cleaned out, the damaged skin cut back, and the cavity prepped for a wound VAC set-up. She will stay at the hospital until we can get a machine through home care to do the wound suction process at home, which we hope will happen within a couple days. We will also have to bring her to the hospital twice a week for wound care specialists to change out the sponges. 

It sounds like it will be a several week process, but they expect really positive results from the wound VAC. It will cause increased bloodflow to the area stimulating new tissue growth, it will drain excess fluids out, and the pressure will pull the sides of the wound together. It will also require less dressing changes. 

Aimee had bloodwork done first thing this morning to check her seizure medication levels, to check electrolytes, and to check for specific nutrient levels. After meeting with the surgeons, we also met with the general surgery dietician again who had seen Aimee last week. She is specifically concerned about Aimee’s vitamin c, iron, and zinc levels. It sounds like she may put her on supplementation until the bloodwork comes back. Obviously proper nutrients will be extra critical over these coming weeks. 

Unfortunately, siblings are not able to stay overnight with patients, so Walter and I will get a room in a hotel close to the hospital. Not ideal, but we will be able to be with Aimee most of the day at least. Hopefully it will be a quick stay and we will all be back home together soon.

Aimee had a tough time today, mostly with the positions that they wanted her in for examination. She was pretty miserable with her cold and coughing alot. It was not ideal to have her away from her supports. Thankfully, we have her back in bed at home, but need to do a pre-surgery shower tonight (and tomorrow) and her cecostomy flushes. It is so much to ask of her on top of her cold. Dear, sweet, innocent girl. 

So as not to leave you on a sad, bemoaning note, here are a few cute boys. There is joy, even in the dark days.