Another day, another line!

It's hard to tell recently, from all of the cute, happy, active photos of Collin, but he still hasn't completely recovered from the stumbling block to his health which was the rotovirus.

It has been estimated that the rotovirus can kill up to 60% of the vili in the intestines. When someone with short gut (like Collin, who has about a third of a normal person's intestinal length) loses that 60% of vili, it can be fatal. Luckily Collin's parents and doctors caught that rotovirus quickly, and he was hospitalized immediately. (You'll recall that this happened around Valentine's Day.) Fortunately, the vili can and will grow back; unfortunately, it can take a while!

Since the rotovirus (otherwise known as "the time of upschuck & lotsa runny poo"), they have had a difficult time keeping Collin properly hydrated. It is common for short gut kids to "stool out" (diarrhea), unfortunately when stooling occurs, the child is not getting the nutrients and fluids they need. Several different things have been attempted to try and get Collin's intestines to start absorbing everything properly, nothing seems to work consistently. It's a mystery why Collin isn't healing faster.

This has been a frustrating time for his mom and dad (and the rest of Collin's family), because we so desperately want him feeling well and improving at the pace he once was! I said it in a post probably last year, the "steps back" are agonizing and his "steps forward" are so exhilarating! It's good to remind ourselves that what is happening with Collin is common with short gut kids; Collin is not alone.

Yesterday, after a full day of screaming and crying (and a bad night the evening before), Erin and Matt brought Collin into the emergency room. He had labs the day before, and overall everything seemed "ok", but Erin knew "something was wrong" with him. It's hard to put a finger on it, but he was taking shorter and less naps, was crankier and inconsolable. Sometimes he acts "goofy" and stumbles around, and that is an indicator that he might be dehydrated.

It turned out that he was, indeed, dehydrated, so he was admitted to the hospital.

He went into surgery to have a broviac catheter inserted early this afternoon, which will help keep him hydrated consistently. His mom will be able draw blood samples for labs from the broviac, and the laboratory will send a driver out to pick up the samples. This will be a great savings on her time and gas as they had been going into the clinic almost daily for labs. When Collin's labs are "normalized" and he is hydrated properly, the doctors may do an "upper g.i." to see what's going on in his small intestines, or they may do a colonoscopy. Right now it's all up in the air.

As always, your prayers and positive thoughts are precious to us. We will keep you all updated regarding Collin's progress!

Love to all!
Collin's Grandma

P.s.-Erin just called and Baby Collin is in recovery!!

P.s.s.-Erin called again...the labs are back and they solved the mystery! Collin has C. Difficile (a bacterial overgrowth) in his intestines. It's such a relief to find out the cause of the discomfort/stooling out/dehydration and now they can treat it. (Collin was diagnosed with C. diff last year in May, please check the August 3rd, 2007 entry for more information.) Hallelujah!