Not only did God make Lily Grace beautiful on the outside,
He made her unique and exquisite on the inside too!
Lily has complete situs inversus totalis,
which means all of her organs are situated
on the opposite side of her body.
Lily's organs are arranged similar to the photo on the right.
For the past 9 months, Lily has complained of severe
belly pain, and has experienced bouts of intense retching.
An upper GI last week revealed that Lily has intestinal malrotation.
Obstruction caused by volvulus or Ladd's bands
is a potentially
life-threatening problem.
The bowel can stop functioning and intestinal
tissue can die,
from lack of blood supply if an obstruction
isn't
recognized and treated.
Volvulus, especially, is an emergency situation,
with the entire small intestine in jeopardy.
So tomorrow morning, at 11:30am Lily will have intestinal surgery.
Since Lily's anatomy is so unique,
the surgery will begin as exploratory
while they figure out where all of her anatomy is exactly.
During the surgery, which is called a Ladd procedure,
the intestine is straightened out, the Ladd's bands are divided,
the
small intestine is folded into one side of the abdomen,
and the
colon is placed on the other side.
Because the appendix is usually found on the left side
of the abdomen when there is malrotation
(normally, the appendix is found on the
right),
it is removed. Otherwise, should Lily ever develop appendicitis,
it could complicate diagnosis and treatment.
Lily and I have been hanging out in the hospital since Saturday.
Lily has been on IV Heparin from the evening we arrived
because we needed to stop her Coumadin
several days before the surgery.
This surgery is considered high risk due to her heart,
and her clotting disorder.
Please be praying for a safe surgery,
and that the surgeons are able to fix her intestines
and bring her belly relief!
"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.
There we will receive his mercy,
and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
Hebrews 4:16