Update - Kangaroo Time!

The update from this morning is: although I wasn't completely accurate this morning in my statement about "no surgery" things are still looking good.

The "study" they did on Chloe this morning involved a barium enema being forced up her rear and monitored using x-rays. The radiologist did not see a blockage caused by a narrowing of the intestines or by scar tissue from her earlier rupture. What she saw was some compacted poop that appeared to be blocking her intestines.

Upon speaking with the neonatologist early this afternoon I learned that we need to wait for Chloe to "move" her bowels and poop out all the barium from this morning's study so that they could proceed with the next study - another barium study but this time it will be placed in her stomach and watched on it's way down the intestines. It is possible that there may be a stricture in her small intestines that they couldn't see this morning but that they might see with the second study. Chloe needed to poop before they could do that and, fortunately, she had a big diaper full of poop when I changed her!

They did another x-ray after the poop and this time the surgeon took a look. And what he saw was probably the most encouraging thing today. He saw that the original barium enema went all the way up to her stomach! That's a great sign that could mean there is no blockage at all! Please keep praying that this is the case. They will move forward with the next barium study tomorrow and we want it to move from her stomach and all the way down her small and large intestines!

Once they verify the absence of blockage they can begin feedings. We really need Chloe to start eating so her poor liver can start healing and so she can start growing. Once she gets stronger and grows perhaps her lungs will get better. They're doing amazingly well right now because she's on steroids but they'll take her off of steroids pretty soon.














Picture of Chloe's ambulance on the way to Children's Medical Center this morning.















During her barium study this morning. Thank God for the steady and sure hands of the pediatric radiologist. I can't imagine the kind of control necessary to force fluid up and through the intestines of a 2lb 3oz baby without damaging them.















Walking quickly from radiology to the NICU - Chloe's new home.

The hospitals all have a new policy for the flu season. Only parents/grandparents are allowed to visit. No children. While this makes it more difficult for us to visit Chloe we're glad for the extra precautions against germs. Unfortunately, I couldn't be there this morning but my friend, Angela, watched Solana for several hours this afternoon, though, so I could stop by for a visit. Thank you Angela!

This visit turned out to be ridiculously exciting for me! The nurse let me have kangaroo time with Chloe for the first time! I almost cried when she offered. I ended up spending over an hour with my precious little miracle on my chest and she's already such a good little girl. She did just great for her Mommy! I can't even begin to describe how special that was. Instead, I'll share a picture.