CT Scan Today

Hello All:

Today, Collin's bilirubin is at 19.2. He still has no bowel movements or bowel sounds. The doctors are now suspecting that he is bleeding in his stomach or intestines because he increased in the amount of blood and blood products that he was using. Plus, the bile they are pulling out of his stomach is almost black. If they find bleeding, then they are going to likely stop the feed and everything going into his digestive system (Miralax, etc.).

They are going to do a CT scan today to check for internal bleeding and other potential problems. They will be doing one with contrast and one without contrast. The reason is that the contrast can mask bleeding because it all becomes a white blob - infection and bleeding, other problems, a lot of them show up as just a white blob. So, they will do one with contrast and without and compare the two. They are doing that around 4 pm today.

I asked the doctors today what is the highest that a biliruben can get before we start to have brain damage or other problems. They said that there are not many studies done on Collin's age group, most studies on this are neonatal. But, they said they have seen kids get up to 40 and 60 before. So, while it is high, we are not quite to the crisis level yet.

He is more yellow today. His head is yellower than the rest of him. The doctor told me that the jaundice starts in his head and moves to the feet. Then when it goes away, it starts in the feet and goes to the head. They said that the yellowing and jaundice is to be expected.

They reduced his vent to 26 from 28 today to try and get him on a lower rate. Remember, the lower the pressure and rate of the vent, the better, because it prevents long term lung damage. He is taking a few breaths on his own when he is awake still, but not many. When I say a few, I mean the number only goes up like two or three points.

His skin is still healing nicely overall. He still has a lot of sores, but we are putting "Riley Butt Cream" on them, and it is helping. We put Aquaphor on the rest of his skin to help keep it from tearing and such.

The renal doctors visited us, but they did not do much. There isn't much for them to do right now but watch and maintain. Kidneys are not the big concern right now. Liver and the possible internal bleeding is the big concern.

He has not really woken up today much. He was awake a little earlier, but he is pretty sedated. So he is kind of in and out. He is still not opening his eyes.

That is all I have for now.  Remember, if you want to contribute to the date night, please have your donations postmarked by tomorrow, or get them to me by tomorrow. Send me an email and let me know it is coming so I can watch for it! Thank you so much!

Also, please keep donating blood and blood products. Collin is using a lot of them, so please keep the supply strong for him and other patients!!! Thank you!

Love,

Jenn
"Aunt Sissy"
jenndwilson83@yahoo.com
317-430-0805