Kelsey's Ascites is BACK

Kelsey is driving momma and daddy (and her doctors) crazy!!!! Her lungs are still an issue but she's retaining fluid AGAIN and the doctors aren't sure why. When they started clamping her belly drain this weekend things started moving down hill very quickly with her belly, then face and now body swelling with fluid. They did an ultrasound yesterday to see if her liver was getting worst but the GI doctors ruled out the liver as the main cause and said the ascites this time isn't from her liver (not that the liver isn't completely innocent, it still isn't completely well). So why is there so much fluid???? Good question and the doctors aren't sure. Basically, Kelsey was getting use to the drain and diuretics to keep the balance of fluid retention and when they stopped helping her, her body didn't know how to handle it.

Along with the drama of the growing belly, Kelsey somehow wiggled out her second PICC line Monday. So, today they had to take her back to surgery to put in a Broviac line. Hopefully, this one will last longer!!! And the good thing about this type of IV access is they can draw labs from it and won't have to stick her little heels any more.

Also, this morning they notice on her x-ray her belly drain was coming out a little. To prevent possible leakage that could lead to an infection they had to take her belly drain out, too. Kelsey, Kelsey, Kelsey!!!! PLEASE PRAY that Kelsey will start processing this fluid on her own so they don't have to put in another drain. Meanwhile, Kelsey's lung are requiring a lot of support to keep them open. Her belly pushes up on her diaphragm and lungs. As long as she can still breath ok they don't want to put in the drain so she can have a chance to balance all this out on her own. Please pray she can do this quickly.

Andy and I are on this roller coaster ride and ready to get off!!!! We are so gratefully for all the obstacles that God has helped us with in the past and know in time this too will get better. Every day we have to pray God will help us through one more day and He always does!!! He is faithful and gives us the strength we need. He knows how much we can handle and is with us all the time. These are the things we hold on to during this time, but that doesn't mean there are moments I just want to cry!!! This song that's playing is a good one to listen to when I feel like crying. I know God holds all my tears in his hand and He love me and Kelsey and will see us through. The end of the song they quote Psalm 121 "I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth." I love that Psalm.

Keep praying Kelsey home!!!

Patti

Here's Kelsey last Wednesday, the one day we put clothes on her. It's so hard to put them on her and now I doubt they would fit over her belly. She's a cutie with or without clothes.

This is a pic of one of Kelesy's silent cries that just brake momma and daddy's heart....because of the vent she cries but no sound comes out.

A couple of nurses helped me make this cute page with Kelsey's hands and feet prints the one day we put clothes on her.

Here's a picture of her today, you can see how big her belly is and how much fluid she has on her face and upper body. Please pray this will go away, it's something Kelsey is going to have to figure out and fix on her own.