There were some changes in the surgical plans since the last post. Yesterday, she received surgery to place a hemodialysis (HD) catheter and a gastrostomy tube (G-tube). The plan is to use HD for a few weeks to let her get bigger and to heal from this surgery, then she will get a second surgery to replace her peritoneal dialysis catheter.
She missed the window of learning how to eat orally as a reflex, so it will take her a lot longer to learn that skill. The team thought it best to get a G-tube placed so she can get her nutrition directly into her stomach. It is more comfortable for her than her current feeding tube, which goes through her nose down her esophagus.
Hemodialysis is different than peritoneal dialysis. With HD, her blood is taken out with a machine, filtered, then put back in. With PD, a solution is cycled into and out of her peritoneal cavity every 30 minutes to draw out extra fluid and toxins.
With HD, there is a risk of clotting and infection. Please pray that Emy doesn’t have any complications with the HD. It will be a bit of a rocky road for the next few weeks while she is on HD.
Baby Menon 
Thank you for sharing. I feel like the HD is hard work and she needs her strength to manage hard work. The feeding tube need is not a missed opportunity but a way to conserve energy and redirect it to where her body needs it most. Many babies are born with less health challenges. They can expend all their energy to learn how to feed orally. Then they allow their bodies to process the food and grow while they rest from the work of feeding. EmyG is working hard in other ways, she is blessed that she can get her nutrients through a tube and now a more comfortable one. She is strong and will do all the hard work and I am so thankful her family and medical team can offer her support in this way. As always, I am keeping you all lifted in prayer for reduced challenges, steady healing, peaceful hearts and much joy. God Bless All Y’All!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for the kind comment. It was a bit difficult for me to learn she would need a G-tube, but you are right, it is what’s best for her now as she is working hard in other ways. She won’t need it forever— just until she learns how to eat by herself.
LikeLike