08.28.07
and we may be returning to normal
We spent all of today at the Children’s Hospital in Indy.
The main purpose was for Boy to have a specialized CT scan so they could get a complete picture of the status of his small intestine (or small bowel). They had to sedate him and then run a tube down his nose and throat and through his stomach. Then they pumped dye through the tube and took pictures as it worked it’s way through. Boy has an extreme gag reflex and so I guess getting the tube in was not a walk in the park.
The scan went well and according to the Dr. M, they got some great pictures of what is going on.
First, the good news. The abscess is healed and gone and Boy’s drain has now been removed, much to everyone’s relief. He can’t shower until Thursday (after the incision heals,) but it’s great to know it’s gone.
The scan did show an length of intestine (about 11 inches long) that has narrowed. This is where the hole formed that caused the abscess. Doctors M and C are studying the scans over the next few days to decide on a recommendation.
It’s possible that the stricture is caused by inflammation. If so, they may be able to treat it medically and as it heals it will return to ‘normal.’ But since the walls are weakened there the chance of another hole/abscess forming while they treat it.
The other possibility is that the stricture is caused by scar tissue. So if they can’t treat it medically (or that doesn’t work) or decide that it’s scar tissue, they will need to remove the section with surgery. When, I don’t know, and they gave us some different possibilities on how it might be done.
Thank you to everyone for your support and kind messages. Now that we are over the immediate crisis, hopefully life can start returning to normal……. sort of.
wisteria said,
August 28, 2007 at 8:48 pm
I have a friend who has lived with Crohn’s for 20+ years. Though he occasionally has flare ups with complications (like your son’s), he is mostly well, especially if he can control stress. I wanted to pop in and say this because Crohn’s always seems mysterious since you don’t get to check your intestinal health on a weekly basis and flare-ups seem particularly scary. I know you are still worried even though you got a good report.
August 28, 2007 at 10:41 pm
I hope things settle down soon for you. I’m glad it seems to a bit better.
kim said,
August 29, 2007 at 12:32 am
I’m glad things are improving somewhat and hope things do get back to normal.
Frankie said,
August 29, 2007 at 9:51 am
Here’s to normal! I’m glad to hear the abscess has healed. I hope everything gets figured out quickly so you know what’s going on.
August 29, 2007 at 10:15 am
Hooray for normalcy! You’ll all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
August 29, 2007 at 11:05 am
I’m thinking of you. I’m glad normalcy is within sight.
August 30, 2007 at 12:57 am
Goodness, I stay away for a week or so and come back to the possibility of a surgery. Here’s hoping it’s better than you are worrying it could be!