Meghan is now officially 24 hours post-op and doing really well. She started feeding again last night, and was even able to nurse this morning. They have only given her 2 doses of Tylenol for pain, which I find amazing when I think of all her little body went through yesterday. She had a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt placed. They put a catheter into the ventricle of her brain, which is regulated by a programmable valve that lies outside of her skull but underneath her skin. The valve is connected to a catheter which is tunnelled down the neck, chest, and into the abdomen where the excess fluid drains and is absorbed by her body. Serious stuff for someone 5 days old.
We met with the neonatologist during rounds this morning. The plan is to make sure she is eating well over the next 2 days while some additional consults are made. She is going to be seen by a nephrologist, and an ophthamologist. She will also have additional brain ultrasounds and another echocardiogram to see if any of the holes in her heart have closed on their own. We are very hopeful to go home "Friday or Saturday"....
Yesterday they did an X-Ray series to confirm the placement of her shunt. While this showed that the shunt is working and in the correct place, we also found out that Meghan has some vertebral abnormalities that we were not aware of. Part of her vertebrae only formed on one side, and some of them are fused. She also has abnormalities of her ribs. It looks like she will have problems with scoliosis in the future, but thankfully that is able to be addressed surgically at a later date if and when it interferes with her walking. They have further discussed the probability of a chromosomal defect since she has so many anomalies, but a diagnosis has not been definitively made as of yet.
Today we are grateful for how well she has done since being born. Both Joe and I feel that we have seen many prayers answered on her behalf this past week, and we know that the Lords hand has been on her the entire time. We will continue to take things one day at a time, celebrating even the smallest triumph. I think this little girl will be teaching us to be grateful, joyful, and thankful to God for every moment as we uncover what may lie ahead for her. We are looking forward to our next miracle- discharge from the hospital!
Thank you all for continuing to pray for her and for us. We have felt so supported and loved, and we want you to know how much that means to us.
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