Chase's Surgery

The last couple of days have seemed like forever as my grandson, Chase has been ill. It started last week when Chase began to occassionally throw up his formula. Bethany had to temporarily stop giving him breast milk because she has been on an antibiotic for a UTI. We took him into the Nurse Practitioner at out family doctor on Wednesday of last week and she said to give him only and ounce of formula before burping him for 5 minutes between ounces. We had been doing this faithfully but then on Saturday, I was caring for Chase while my daughter visited some friends and he wasn't able to keep any formula down at all. I even switched formula brands thinking maybe he had become intolerant of Good Start. By Saturday night when Bethany came home I was really concerned and I told Beth I thought we should take him in to the ER at Children's Hospital. They admitted him at 3 am on Sunday morning. It has been really hard on Bethany to see him going through painful things like having an IV in his scalp. It turns out that Chase has Pyloric Stenosis. The pyloric valve, as I understand it, is the opening between the stomach and the small intestine. Anyway, Chase's was too narrow and it wouldn't allow his food to leave his stomach into his intestine so everything thing was coming back up. By 2 pm on Sunday, they were preparing him for surgery. They were able to do it laprascopically so he only has 3 tiny incisions in his stomach. The real trial was not being able to feed him anything while they did the testing and surgery. The poor baby was starving and cried anmost constantly from Saturday night until Sunday night when they finally allowed him to have some Pedialite. My daughter's nerves are frazzled and I'm really worried about her falling into some postpartum depression. Chase is doing well now and hopefully will get to come home on Monday evening. I really have to say that I was impressed with the speed at which Children's Hospital diagnosed and treated Chase. Everything was done very efficiantly and professionally. Chase was in really good hands. All seems well now but please continue to pray for Chase, that he will have an uneventful recovery.
According to the surgeon at Children's, pyloric stenosis happens most frequently to first born, male children around the time they turn 3 weeks old. Chase fits the profile.
Thank you for reading. I will post an update on Chase later and also give an account of my appointment with the Bariatric Surgeon today.
Blessings,
Karen

Karen,

So glad the little one is doing better. It's so hard to watch them at that age struggle and there is nothing you can do. My oldest grandson was 3 months pre mature and the things they did to save his life were heart breaking. He's seven now and very healthy, but still today if I see a picture of him as a new born it breaks my heart. Well keep him, your daughter and entire family in our prayers. Take Care C'ya Bob

Thanks, Bob. It is heartbreaking but I'm so thankful those nurses and doctors are there. My son was ill as an infant and spent about 3 months in the hospital. I was young and never expected to have my child put through so much. We have pictures too because at the time we werent sure he could make it. Children's Hospital is really good though and I credit them partly for saving his life. Little Chase going through this was a real reminder of what my son went through back then. The care has improved so much since back then but it was pretty miraculous even then. The treatments that did so much though seem cruel when implemented on a newborn. I'm glad Chase wont remember this.
Blessings,
Karen

Karen prayers are being lifted for Chase, his Mom, and you!  Hang in there! 

Thanks, Scott. Prayers are always appreciated.
Blessings,
Karen

Karen,
I saw a LOT of pyloric stenosis back in Memphis when I was a pediatric nurse.  The surgery back then was much more stressful.  Being able to do it lap is fabulous!  PS kids usually do great once they have had the sugery, and I imagine Chase will too.  I will keep ya'll all in my prayers.

Marilyn

Marilyn,
It seems to be fairly common. I think I read that about 1 in 1000 births will end up with pyloric stenosis. Chase is doing well today. I got a call from my daughter and he is taking about 1 ounce of formula mixed with pedialite every two hours. They are hoping if he continues to do well, they will let him come home about 8 pm tonight.
Thanks for the prayers. They are much appreciated.
Blessings,
Karen

Karen,

Chase is certainly in my thoughts and prayers, as are you, his mum, and all of his caregivers at the hopistal.  My daughter had to be tested for pyloric stenosis (same symptoms) when she was 3 months old.  I know the horror of making them go without eating for so many hours before the barium swallow test.  Poor baby cried all night and she was so hungry that she drank the barium solution like it was milk.

Hang in there - I know it's tough to see such a little one going through such a tough situation.  **big hugs**

Thanks so much. Hopefully Chase will get to come home tonight sometime after 8 pm. He is doing well with his formula today. They are just waiting to get him up to 2 ounces and keeping it down before letting him come home.
Blessings,
Karen

Karen, sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I hate to hear about all of this. It for sure sound's like a real tuff time for all of ya'll. I hope everyone is doing better and keep us posted on Chase and his progress. Hope he got to come home yesterday.

Cheryl