12.20.27 Wound VAC29

We just got the official decision that they will not take Aimee back into the OR to close her wound. They would have to undercut her skin to be able draw it together. Although it would probably heal faster that way and be a much smaller scar to deal with at future surgeries, they do not think that it is worth the risk of the wound popping back open as it has before. Plus there is the risk of anesthesia and its affects on Aimee. 

So, instead it will be at least another month of wound healing and a much wider scar, which may cause some complications with future spine surgeries. We will be taking the wound VAC home and coming down for dressing changes 2 times a week. 

We have mixed feelings about this decision. It does mean that we should be able to get Aimee home sooner, but it means a longer healing process and potentially greater risk of infection. We are hopeful that with a good nutrition plan Aimee will heal in that month time frame. However, we also feel nervous since each time we have gone home with a wound... we have ended up back in the OR and back in the hospital. While there has been major progress since we got the wound VAC 3 weeks ago... it is still a large wound on our little girl’s back. I think we would have struggled with either decision. 

Aimee is currently in transport to the IR for a G/J tube placement. There will be a care conference for Aimee tomorrow morning at which point we should know what day she will be discharged. We are hopeful that it will be in the next couple days.