Getting Through, In More Ways then One
Afton finally was able to receive the proper, uninhibited surgical procedure that set off this flurry of hospital stays. In the face of all of the negative hangups that have occurred over the last couple weeks, something finally went right: Afton’s procedure was a success.
The doctors had set the expectation that there was a high probability of the procedure not being a success, but it appears we were due a small, early victory in the impending battle Afton has to face.
The result of the successful procedure is that Afton no longer needs to drain her bile from her liver externally (into a bag). They were able to route a channel into her intestine from the billiary ducts, so Afton’s liver now produces bile that flows through/into the intestine as the body intends. The implications of this: it should clear up several nutritional issues we were having with Afton (your body needs the bile produced by your liver to process nutritional fats and fat soluble vitamins and minerals in your small intestine).
This doesn’t change the big picture. Afton is still listed on the transplant list, and they are petitioning for a better score to elevate her status on the list. But for now, we are hoping that this latest break will help her to remain healthy, and continue to grow over the next weeks while we wait.
Once again Afton is home, and very happy to be so.
