Surgery Update

Well, we made it back to the room from surgery.   Lauren is sleeping well and is on pain medication to keep her calm.

They did in fact have to change her shunt from a VP to a VA (which flows in to the right atrium of the heart).  They sent off the catheter tube that was in her abdomen for cultures along with spinal fluid.  We had a little bit of a scare when they did post op x-ray and thought it was in wrong place, thinking we'd have to do surgery again, but thirty minutes later the surgical team said that it was perfectly fine.  The tip of the catheter was in a little further, but not in any way wrong or a problem. 

Infectious disease (ID) is back on her case.  they will look at cultures (24-48 hours) to see if they can get a specific germ to grow or find out more information.  Typically, from what I have understood, is that if a shunt malfunctions it's because of a blockage, cyst, or infection.  Since she didn't have a cyst or blockage and it was a fluid build up, they are going to assume it was an infection and treat it as one.

With this in mind they will have to treat Lauren with another heavy dose and length of antibiotics at the hospital.  So, it could be 3-4 weeks longer for treatment.  

Frustrating, yes.  Emotionally exhausted, without a doubt.  But, I have to remind myself that there will be a day that we do get home and move forward.  I am so proud at Lauren's resilience and strength.  Thank you all for the emotional and spiritual support, especially in the last 48 hours.