I mentioned in the last posting that Sawyer will have a preliminary procedure prior to his kidney transplant surgery. Today we met with the surgeon at CHKD to discuss this procedure.
Within the next few weeks, Sawyer will have a Gastrostomy Tube (G-Tube) placed in his abdomen. It is also known as a feeding tube, but this is not its purpose.
As I have shared in the past, Sawyer is a fighter. This is a great trait considering the road ahead, but there are moments when it does not work to his advantage. It is very difficult (sometimes impossible) to get him to take any medicine in any form regardless of the taste. We have tried EVERY trick in the book (even cold-hard-cash) but he resists.
After transplantation, Sawyer MUST take his meds -- every drop or pill-- exactly as it is prescribed. If Sawyer does not gets his meds as prescribed, he is at great risk of losing the new kidney. Sawyer will take his meds through this G-Tube.
It breaks our hearts (understated) to know Sawyer is facing another procedure with something else poking out of him as a result. However, considering the circumstances, the G-Tube surgery is unavoidable.
Because Sawyer has had several surgeries, there is some concern that there will be scar tissue that will complicate the G-Tube surgery. So please pray with us that the surgeon will not be impeded by scar tissue.
Also starting today, Sawyer's doctor is putting him back on one of his blood pressure meds. His blood pressure has been trending up for a while. So, hopefully, these meds will help to get it back under control soon.
9 comments:
I will be praying...
Praying for the toughest little guy on the planet!
You know I'm praying!! I love you all!
Will definitely be praying!
Thanks for the update. We will definitely continue to pray, especially for Sawyer, a tough little guy. Will share this info with our friends who are praying.
Pat and Tom Persons
I will be praying for you all!
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13
We will continue to pray!! God is with you and carrying you all through this trying times. Thank you so much for the updates. They so help the direction of prayer. Big Hugs!!! :)
Have been praying for you all...especially Sawyer and Karen. The g-tube sounds like the most viable option. Keep us posted!
Dearest DeBause Family:
My husband and I returned Friday night from the Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, Ohio. We were there for a scheduled, follow-up visit related to his kidney transplant on May 21, 2010. On that date, our middle daughter, Donna, then 38, gave her Daddy, then 71, one of her kidneys.
We would love to share our experience with you if you believe it might help in any way. We have been following Sawyer's journey... and praying... since a friend at the Va Beach Community Chapel told us about you all back in August.
We understand the importance of the medications.
There is another family at the Chapel whose father gave his daughter a kidney more than five years ago.
Perhaps you are in touch with others, but we want to 'offer'.
We will continue to pray for all of you. We so admire your older children for their support and love for Sawyer.
Continued blessings,
Kenton and Sue
757-481-0009
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