Procedure is complete

They were successful in finding the abscess. it was attached to the small intestine and was leaking when they put in contrast to see it's flow. They drained it and attached a tube that extents out her body to continue to let it drain. They say the drainage will look like poop. They will leave the drain in place till they are sure it is drained. She did good during the procedure. She remained warm and stable with her vitals. We should see a significant decrease in her stomach size. The abscess was about the size of a couple golf balls (ok maybe not according to another surgeon). That is very big considering her size. There is still another small abscess they could not get to that they feel they can treat with antibiotics at this point. The abscess explains why she continually had a need for platelets. The platelets had surrounded the abscess and tried to wall it off the to keep it from leaking into her body. Now time will tell with the drain and antibiotics in place how she bounces back.

As a side note she has had 10 different IV locations in the time she has been at Primary. WOW ....She is the first NICU infant to use a portable power pack for her issolette. They used it yesterday for the first time today for the second. Carrie helped direct the nurses today in how to hook it up. The procedure they did on Brinleigh is also vary rare. That gives you comfort going in doesn't it? Brinleigh obviously likes to be unique and special.