Cincinnati

We are in Cincinnati!

''We'' meaning Michael, Kayla and myself because Michael is going to have surgery to correct an anal malformation that he was born with.  It's called Imporforate Anus and it's where a baby is born with no opening for waste to exit the body.

Typically, children who are orphans in the country Michael was born in will die from this condition shortly after birth because there are no funds for such a major operation for orphans.  Michael was one of the few who received surgery because the doctors in his region needed to practice performing this delicate surgery.  I'm sure they did their very best, but they were not able to complete the surgery fully and that is why we are in Cincinnati.

Dr. Alberto Pena is our surgeon.  He is a pioneer in pediatric colorectal surgery and people from all around the world come to Cincinnati specifically for their children to be cared for by Dr. Pena.  Just the other day, we sat in the waiting room with a family from Israel, another from India and another from S. Carolina.  We feel so blessed to be able to have Dr. Pena helping Michael.

Michael was admitted Sat, Sept. 22 to begin 2 days of digestive tract clean-out.  He was given an NG tube and GoLightly was started.  This is a solution that liquefies anything within his system so he can eliminate it and be totally clean inside for surgery.

One word of caution....there is nothing 'go lightly' about GoLytely!  It should be renamed GoAlotly with a cautionary disclosure to wear old clothes if you are the one caring for you child receiving this solution!

Surgery will be sometime on Monday if Michael continues to stay healthy.  He developed a junky nose upon receiving the NG tube and is extremely congested now.  No fever or coughing means he can still have surgery.  We're praying it's just irritation from the tube and nothing more!

We did have a few hours on Thursday after clinic visits and testing so we walked over to the Cincinnati Zoo.  It was mostly overcast with cool temperatures and a perfect day to go to the zoo!

We are so blessed to know several families through Reece's Rainbow who live right here in Cincinnati!  They have all been extremely helpful sharing information and experience about Cincinnati and the Children's hospital.  My friend Jamie even took us to Walmart the other day to pick up a few things that we could not fit into our carry-on bags!!  Thank you Jamie!!!!!

I'll update when I can as soon as surgery is over.  Thank you all so much for covering Michael in prayer.  Knowing he is being lifted up is so comforting.

Jeff is taking time off work and is staying home with our other kids while we are in Cincinnati.  He is settling  into a pretty good routine and things are going well.  Prayers for him are certainly welcomed as well!