The Big day is here for the Fullmer's

Little Lukie went in for surgery just before 8:00 this morning. We didn't have a time table on how long it would be. Lucas came out of surgery at 1:00 in the afternoon. We got a few updates along the way letting us know he was okay. There was a lot to do in the OR.

The surgeon started out by removing adhesions from his infection that caused the surgery 2 months ago. Second she closed his jejunostomy. Third she placed a Gastrostomy (G tube), which is a tube placed in the stomach that ventilates the air, since he does not pass gas on his own. Forth she did a Bishop-koop ileostomy. This is an daring way to perform an ostomy, but she feels optimistic about it. The way the ostomy is set up so the small intestines are still connected to the large intestines. So food will still travel through the large intestine to keep it healthy. This will also tell us if his large intestines function well or not. He may have bowel movements through his ostomy or rectum, where ever the least resistance is. We will also have to perform enemas to prevent bowel infections.

In surgery his bowels seemed to look okay. I asked if the bowels had good motility, she said they seemed to squeeze hard, almost too hard. She doesn't know for sure, but if so that could be causing the psuedo obstruction. We don't know if surgery has solved any of Lucas's problems. Surgeon said time will tell. But she seems to be optimistic. We do not know how long he will has the ileostomy, maybe a year or two, maybe forever. But if it helps him I'll do what ever I can!

Lucas is in ICU and may be transferred out as soon as tomorrow. The expected stay will probably be a couple of weeks, which is shorter than I expected! I don't want to give up my hope so I am planning on 3 weeks just to be safe.

I know Lucas has done well because of the prayers that have been said on his behalf. There are so many people caring for us. There has been anonymous acts of kindness for our family. They have blessed us when we have needed it most. There are so many great examples around our family.