Questions and Answers

When is Owain's repair surgery?
Dr.Z ( Owain's surgeon) will be meeting with several other surgeons Monday to discuss his unique yet challenging diaphragm. Hoping with a team of surgeons brain storming,researching the best solution for our little man. Three gore tex patches aren't working. Their are other options other than gore tex maybe they will choose to use one of the following latissimus dorsi flap ,alloderm patch or use abdominal muscle to create a diaphragm or maybe some thing else. It is reassuring to know that there are other options other than gore tex. I feel confident in the team of Doctors that they will be able to find a better stronger solutions to repair his hernia so this will be his last surgery and re herenate will be a thing of the past.Once the team of Doctors have a game plan, Dr.Z will give us a call Tuesday or Wednesday to inform us of the plan. As soon as we have a date for surgery you will be the second to know.


How was Owain's recurrence discovered?
A little over two weeks ago we had a follow up with Dr.Z. He ordered Owain's last scheduled chest x ray. We got the thumbs up everything looked as though it did on Owain's last x ray back in September.It wasn't until later when Dr.Z went over his x ray he noticed that it looked like he might have another recurrence. We are so thankful that Dr.Z is a good thorough Doctor.He wanted to triple check so we took Owain for an ultra sound. Because of the uniqueness of Owain not having a spleen and a high kidney it was difficult for the radiologist and technician to determine if in fact he has another recurrence.The next day (last Friday) Owain had his third CT scan. A few short hours Dr.Z called to inform us that yes he has had another (his third) recurrence.


Is Owain in any discomfort?
No. Looking at him you would never know that he has some of his bowl poking through one of the three gore tex patches. I think the bowl might be poking through where they tied the patch around his ribs but I am not 100% sure . We will learn more next week.


Our little man has been his energetic happy self. Wresting with daddy,jumping off the couch,running the cat over with his dump truck Just being a typical two year old boy.Boys are so much fun. We are enjoying every minute of him bouncing off the walls.That is a really good sign that this recurrence is no affecting him physically. Any one that knows us know's our daily struggle with him eating well since he recovered from his viral infections a few weeks ago he has been eating pretty darn good for Owain and having plenty of BM (bowel moments) another great sign that every thing is working even though it may nor be in the correct place.


How long will his hospital stay be?
You never know. Back when Owain was diagnosed in utero (20 weeks geatation) we were told the average stay for a CDH baby is three months.When we brought him home from the NICU he was six weeks old. At nine months he had two more surgery's and he only spent six days in the hospital.You just never know. Hoping and praying that his will be a short hospital stay. With no complications,no crazy twist and turns while we board the CDH roller coaster ride,again.If I have learned anything from CDH it is to expect the unexpected. You just never flip'in know.Take one day at a time.


Is their anything that you can do?
nope. We don't need anything. If you really want to do something you could keep our little man in your prayers or send positive energy into the universe. We have appreciated every one's kind words thank you.

If there is a question you have that I have not answered please don't hesitate to ask?

For all you CDH parent's who have answered the questions on my last post. Thank you it is so great to have a nice support group of parents who know exactly what we are gong through. I personally have followed each one of your story's and your little ones have a special place in my heart.

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