Surgery #2

Today we took a little step backwards, but overall the day is ending well. At 6:45 am the neurosurgeon resident Dr. Katrina Ducis, came in for our daily care discussion. She discovered that the infection site had once again begun to leak spinal fluid (CSF). As soon as that came out of her mouth, I knew we were heading back to the operating room. 

There was some miscommunication and we did find out that his infection is MSSA, and not MRSA! So everyone was a lot happier about that, as it can be fought off a lot easier with less powerful antibiotics. The bad news was he still has an infection, and now has spinal fluid coming out all over it the site of that infection. Spinal Meningitis is not something they will take lightly, so that had him scheduled for surgery at 3pm to clean out the site and put in new/bigger sutures. They did not say it, but I already knew a drain in his head was coming along with it. 

Dr. Bollo arrived at the hospital at 2pm to discuss the surgeries. I must repeat how much I appreciate Dr. Bollo and Dr. Ducis. I meet with them multiple times throughout the day, and they do not leave my room until they have answered everyone of the twenty questions I have for them, not once acting annoyed, or in a rush to get somewhere else. It amazes me that they are such incredible surgeons, and yet they really care about mom, dad, and our baby. I just feel as though some physicians can become robots.  Anyways, the procedures went as well as could be expected and he is back in the room with Ash and I right now.  That orange line coming out of the top of Ruger's head above is to relieve the CSF pressure that is leaking in his lower back. As long as his back is leaking fluid, even if there was not an infection, it would never be able to fully heal. They removed some of the sutures and cleaned up the leak/infection site. They finished by putting in a picc line, so that we can eliminate having to poke him with new IV's every couple of days.  In all the surgery lasted two hours and we got this souvenir. :) 

Ruger will be here for a little while, but that is okay, as we know he is great hands. We need to see blood work continue to improve and know that all infection is gone. The incision needs to completely close up, showing no leaking of CSF or the obvious, puss. Once that has happened they will remove the drain and then monitor for hydrocephalus. In a perfect world, we could go home early next week. 

I am blessed to be able to have a career in which I can do 80% of it with a computer, calculator, and a telephone.  I also have the most incredible team that will work countless hours to make sure we all shine.  It means the world that I can stay here with my son, and my wife is able to recover from the c-section at home each night (even though she can be more stubborn than me, and pushes herself a little too hard every day).  So thank you Citywide and Team for giving me that ability. 

I am also blessed to have amazing friends and family. You have no idea how much you are appreciated. 

My plans of taking my son to his first Utah Utes Football game this season might have been derailed. He will make a few next year, and don't you doubt for a second he will be in red casts in a few weeks.