Bowel surgery Day 6

Today is a hard day for Broc and I as we are missing our assembly with our family and friends . It’s the little things like eating breakfast at the Wheel Inn together and then sharing our brownies with our friends at lunch time. Brownies or cookies are a tradition for our family. But we know Broc is in the best place he could be to get better. 

We both had a good nights sleep with minimal pain. He was able to tolerate 2mls of pedialyte in his j tube with no pain. He was able to tolerate drinking some liquid yesterday too. His temps are still staying below 100 which is great. He was able to sit in a chair for a couple minutes last night too. More baby steps but we are getting there. Today he was able to take 2 walks. He didn’t go very far due to knee and leg pain but it’s a start. He’s starting to move himself on the bed as well. 

They are still watching his incision. It hasn’t gotten any worse but hasn’t gotten any better either. His intestines have yet to wake up. I listen to Brocs belly all the time and I’ve never heard it so quiet before. Hoping it wakes up soon as that is one of the criteria for us to come home. 

Broc also has a visit from pet Therapy. He loves to have the dogs jump up on his bed and snuggle with them. 

We really appreciate all the help with Lil Mark and the phone calls, texts and prayers and visits. 

Here are a few pics of the last couple of days. 

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Emergency bowel surgery.

Broc started having belly pain late Sunday afternoon and not feeling well. Monday his pain started to get worse and the nausea set in really badly. We at first thought it was from a cookie he had eaten but once we got home and drained all his cookie he was not getting any relief. His pain was hitting a 8-9 on the pain scale.

I called his Ped when it hit a 10. He said as soon as he started vomiting we should head to the ER.  Thankfully we did. He went down hill so fast. They took him back immediately and drew all his necessary labs. He also went for a ct scan. The scan came back saying he had a complete bowel obstruction. Riley was contacted and transport was starting to be arranged.

Unfortunately they couldn’t get us an ambulance for 10-12hrs. We knew Broc couldn’t wait that long. We finally got his pain and vomiting under control after a slew of meds. I ran home to pack a few things and grab my own medication. The decision was made to sign Broc out the local hospital and transport him myself. The ER staff helped me get him and the car prepped for our drive. I put my hazard lights on and ‘flew’ to Indy.

Broc continued to deteriorate once we arrived and controlling his vomiting was becoming difficult. Actually it never stopped. He threw up all the way into the OR. Once the surgery team had looked at his images from the local hospital they knew how severe his situation was.

The surgeon came in to talk to me and let me know that he needed ER surgery to save his colon. To say I was petrified is an understatement. I have never been so scared in my life. I called Mark and told him what’s happening. He left work and went home to pack for him and Lil Mark. We were all so scared. They had to get Broc into an OR as soon as they had one available. They also placed an ng tube to help drain his belly and decompress it as much as they could.

Broc was whisked away to surgery after we prayed with him. We FaceTimed daddy and Lil Mark to say a prayer as a family. Thankfully I did have some support from the HLC and PVG brothers and tons of online support from family and friends from around the world.

Broc had the best possible outcome and they were able to save his whole colon. Recovery has been rough for hm with pain and fevers. This morning he is more alert and his foley was removed. They have also clamped his ng tube to see if his g can handle all the drainage on its own. The concern is the fevers getting higher. If they do then chest X-rays will be taken and blood cultures will be drawn and antibiotics started to protect him.

Thank you to the friends that are helping with taking care of Lil Mark. It truly takes a village and we have a great one. We love you all. Thank you too for the prayers and kind words.