A weekend of rest for Sophie

Today Sophie had her liver surgery. They did the cholangiogram, which confirmed the diagnosis of biliary atresia, so then they did the Kasai procedure to fix it. Sophie left her room in the NICU to go to the OR a little after 10am. A little after noon we were told they were starting the Kasai procedure. The six of us (both sets of grandparents were there) took a welcome break from the hospital and went to Applebees across the street for lunch, knowing we wouldn't hear anything more for at least two hours. Sophie finally came back to her room about 4pm.

The doctor explained that the blockage seemed to be between the gall bladder and the intestine, which was good news (meaning the liver itself and the main ducts that come out of the liver are more likely to drain properly when attached directly to the intestine, which is what the Kasai procedure does). He said they could see bile draining from the main ducts, which is encouraging. It'll be a couple of weeks before we get preliminary news if the procedure worked, and months before we get a better idea of how successful it was, but everyone's spirits were much higher after the surgery than before. It's always good to see the surgeon smiling after surgery.

It was interesting being in the room as the nurses were getting Sophie settled back into the NICU. There are multiple tubes going in and out Sophie for various reasons (catheters, IVs, breathing tube, etc.). It took several nurses to keep track (and "chart") what medicines she got and which tube to put it in. She didn't get any blood during the surgery, but they were going to give her some afterward to give her more strength. They were still working on everything when we left the hospital at 6pm.

To us Sophie looked really good after surgery. She was puffy and a bit pale, which actually made her look more like a normal baby (she was dark and a bit skinny when she was born). They said she will probably come out of her trance sometime this weekend, at which time they would try to take out the breathing tube. Based on how she reacted to the morphine they gave her yesterday (to attempt to put in an IV, which was unsuccessful; Sophie has very small veins), she will be resting in a drug induced state for a while (they had to warm her and give her oxygen yesterday because she was so relaxed from the morphine). She won't get food (but will get nutrients through her IV) for a few days until her digestive system "wakes up" and starts working again. I was surprised at how big her scar is (9 cm), but the doctor's assured us once again that babies heal better than adults do.

I was definitely upset this morning when it was time for her to go to the OR, but having supportive family around was very helpful. I am also extremely happy with the care that Sophie, and us, as parents, are getting from Scottsdale Shea. The nurses, doctors, various therapists, lactation consultants, social workers, etc. have all been wonderful. I believe God brought us there for a reason. It was hard to leave her tonight, but it is good for us to get away from the hospital (I spent last night at the hospital in a nesting room). And I know she's in good hands.

Here are some pictures from yesterday and today:

From LGA Arrives!

We brought Owen to the hospital the day before the surgery because we realized we didn't have any pictures of him and Sophie together. We didn't pick her up because she was so out of it from the morphine.

From LGA Arrives!

The morning of the surgery. She did pretty good for not being able to eat after 4am.

From LGA Arrives!

Sophie relaxing after the surgery. You can see how big her scar is.