This is our 20th day in house and it doesn’t look like we’re breaking out of this joint any time soon. It seems we’ve run into a little snag called Ascites.
Ascites is a pocket of fluid that collects in the belly and is typically due to the liver being upset about various things including trying to acclimate to the Fontan.
Ryan started having tummy pain Friday and through that night enough that by Saturday Henry and I requested an X-ray. The team also did an ultrasound. That’s when they found the Ascites.
Ascites is not a normal post-op occurrence. It’s an issue in response to the surgery and is a sign that Ryan’s body is struggling to keep up with the new Fontan.
Ascites is nothing new to the docs. They’ve seen it enough times and know what to do. The hope is that with treatment it will resolve itself and not need invasive intervention. We will know more in the next 3 or so days as he responds or doesn’t to treatment (heavy diuretics).
He also developed a mouth sore which we are trying to resolve with a numbing mouth wash. Between the pressure in his belly and the mouth sore he hasn’t eaten much more than a few bites over the last 2.5 days.
The girls seem to be holding up well, but I know they’re as ready as Henry and I to all be back home under the same roof.
Please pray for our dear boy…. That the Fontan pressures wouldn’t cause anymore complications, that his little body – every last square inch – would heal and acclimate to it’s new wiring. And that all of this would happen within a reasonable time frame. We are staring three weeks in the face and at the moment it’s laughing at us.
I’d like to hope we’ll have the last laugh, even if slightly delayed.
Comments (16)
Sorry to hear of this setback…praying for the Lord to completely heal Ryan’s body.
Praying for Ryan’s body to fight, to heal, and for his comfort. May God bring peace to all of you right now.
continuing to pray for all of you and thanking God that you and Henry were advocates to find out the cause Ryan has the tummy ache. Also, praying that all of you will be back home under one roof together very soon
Prayers said for Sweet Ryan!
Praying right now for the treatment to work soon, and for the mouth sores to heal quickly, and the stomach pains to go away! Praying you both will be going home soon! Keep the faith…and trust in him!
Love, Linda
Praying for Ryan and the whole family.
Praying for your sweet boy ❤️
Praying for you all. xx
Praying that the extra fluid will go away n his mouth sore to heal. We love you all!
Praying for Ryan to be well and able to be home with his family real soon.
Praying for you guys.
Praying for Ryan’s healing especially of course, but also for you, Leighann, and the rest of your family as you all try to adjust to these changes!!
Poor Ryan. And poor Mama. I know being in the hospital sucks. I have never been there that long but I know after 1 day I am so over it. I can’t even imagine having to stay for 3 weeks or even more, as I know you’ve had to do even more. I’m praying Ryan gets the comfort he needs quickly and that he can finish healing and get the heck outta dodge. I’m sure he can’t wait to be able to go run around and play outside again. Sending good healthy and fun thoughts your way…for both of you!
Awww…poor boy. I’ll pray exactly as you asked–that every last square inch of his little frame will adjust to this new wiring. So sorry for the set back, and for more time spent with your family apart, and with your boy in pain. May all of those things end soon!
So very sorry for you to be going through this as you see your dear boy’s suffering. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Praying to our Savior that He would fill Ryan’s heart physically and emotionally and spiritually with His healing, peace, and grace. And that you have a supernatural lift to you, Henry, and your dear girls. Praying for the baby that she will be ok, and Natalie and Ainsley to be inspired. Praying that you don’t have to steal any pillows tonight, that your night nurse is awesome, and you can walk to Subway tomorrow. XOXOXO
Sorry to hear of the complications. We are, and will continue to pray for Ryan, and the whole family. Grace and Peace.