Surgery Complete, Hospital Stay Extended – Gabby Update
Last week I announced that Gabby’s surgery was scheduled for this Tuesday morning. It’s been a whirlwind around here already. We went in for her surgery as planned at 6:30 AM planning to go home after it was all over. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. During the surgery to explore her knot and to find out what was causing the infection that has lasted for so long, her NeuroSurgeon found three small bone fragments that were originally pieces of her skull that never healed after her brain surgery back in 2007. Gabby’s body was rejecting the pieces of skull and trying to force them out. Instead of healing back to the skull the bone fragments (each about the size of a piece of gravel) were floating under the tissue, just above the skull developing an infection and causing the knot to form.
The NeuroSurgeon came out of surgery and his first words to me were ‘Fascinating. I’ve never seen anything like it in 30 years of doing surgery.‘ This brings me back to the whole – Gabby feels the need to beat all statistics – conversation last week. He even took photos during surgery and is filing a medical report on her experience since it’s so rare. At least we can now check off rare case study example on her Life List. He then proceeds to tell me how because of the nature of the infection he had decided to keep Gabby in the hospital from anywhere of one night to one week. That sounded about right, considering we seem to never be in the hospital a planned length of stay and never know when we are truly going home until we sign release papers.
From the moment we got into the OR it was a rough visit. Gabby didn’t want the IV, she didn’t want to have another surgery and she sure didn’t want to stay one night, let alone three. I tried to make her laugh as often as possible over the four day stay and snapped as many ‘happy moment’ photos as I could. They were few and far between.
Although the Plastic Surgeon assisted with her surgery, both surgeons felt it was best to leave an open hole. Yes, literally a hole in her head. One that we must repack twice a day and bandage up. One that is large and deep enough to fit my thumb. They cleaned out all of the infection, however she will remain on oral antibiotics twice a day for several months. They ran IV antibiotics while we were in the hospital for four days, under direct supervision of the Infectious Disease Specialist. The antibiotics were so strong they burned through one vein causing Gabby to have two IVs before her stay was over.
Every morning and every night the dressing has to be changed on Gabby’s head. We remove the bandage, unpack the hole, repack the hole and apply a new bandage. The tape gets stuck in her hair, the packing sticks to the skin that is healing which isn’t always pleasant to remove and the tweezers freak her out. She doesn’t want it touched but it’s extremely important it’s done every twelve hours to make sure the wound heals from the inside out so it doesn’t allow infection to harbor inside or develop any air pockets which would ultimately result in yet another surgery.
I’m glad we came home Friday evening because apparently I picked up a bug at the hospital and was sick as a dog all Friday night. I suffered from a migraine so severe all weekend that I was hugging the toilet. Thankfully I didn’t get sick while she was in the hospital, otherwise they would have sent me home to prevent spreading my germs. On one hand I’m more than thankful to be home and sleep in my own bed but on the other hand it’s been extremely difficult changing Gabby’s bandage at home. I’ve had to recruit different people to help hold her down each time. She hates it. I hate it. It appears that with each dressing change and repacking it becomes more tender, I guess that comes with the healing process. Not an easy task when you are a single mom.
Also I almost forgot to mention that the doctors informed me she can’t go back to school until the wound has completely healed and does not require repacking any longer. Which will possibly take three weeks. They also asked me to avoid crowds with her, including grocery stores. Nice, huh?
Prayers of strength and healing requested.
Dwan, I am so sorry! I am praying for you and Gabby. Love ya, girl! {{hugs}}
Oh my goodness- sending you prayers for sure. Prayers for Gabby & for you. Hugs.
I wish you guys both all the best.
I am praying for you every day Dwan. No wonder you are suffering from migraines, your heart is breaking for her! I am glad she is ok, but oh my goodness what an ordeal to go through. And that bandage change sounds like hell every time.
(((hugs))))
Worried about you and her. After all that I’m not surprised you are sick. Maybe we need to fly out and help you. I’m totally serious. You need a break and if the Universe won’t give you one then maybe your friends can. Love, hugs and prayers.
Wow I can’t even imagine it, a medical oddity even! Glad miss Gabby is doing okay considering 🙁 hope you get feeling better soon though. I know it’s hard taking care of healthy kids when you’re sick, much less going that extra mile to make sure she heals just right. Thoughts and prayers are with you!!!
omg. You won’t remember me, but i once shared a cab with you after type a mom. i just found yiur blog through Linda. I had no idea of your daughter’s story until now. Thanks for sharing this post and her story. You are both brave and this is a lovely blog. I am sending hugs and prayers to you. I hope GabBy heals fast.
@inkscrblr
thriftymommastips.
Oh, that is horrible! I am so sorry about everything that you and Gabby have been going through. I hope she heals well and that you are able to have some much needed and deserved rest. Hugs to you both!
Oh wow, poor girl! And what a beautiful girl she is too. I am so sorry that you are going through this. I can imagine what a whirlwind you are going through. I pray for a quick healing and that this would be the last surgery she will ever need. God bless you and your family!
DAWN
Poor Gabby, poor Mom! Wish I could help from afar!
MommaDJane–
We are all praying for Gabby! If you need any help we are always a phone call away! Things seem are so tough for all of you but there has to be a light at the end of this long tunnel. Gods plan for Gabby is huge and He gives her amazing strength. Most adult couldnt go thru what she has. Always remember He is with you all and will help you everything. Love you! XOXO
Brave Gabby! What a trooper. I’m sorry to hear that you are under the weather. Hopefully, she will be back at school very soon.
Oh, HONEY. Sending you speedy healing vibes and prayers.
Oh Dwan, I am SO sorry. Just reading about the repacking of the bandage made me cringe. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to do it.
If there’s anything we can do to help let us know. Is there anything we can do to entertain and distract her for the next three weeks? postcards? fun packages?
Goodness, your story is like so many others I’m familiar with having worked at a children’s hospital. I admired the strength, patience, grace of the parents and the kids having to go through, for lack of a better word, crap like this daily. She’s being brave, you’re a worried mom who wants to take the pain away so you endure pain yourself. I hope you DO rely on the family & friends nearby, so you can do basics like go the grocery, take a shower, lay down for a nap.
Hoping & praying for better days ahead!
Oh my goodness Dwan! You and Gabby will both be in my prayers. I am so sorry for all you and Gabby have had to go through. I can’t even imagine. Praying for healing and strength. ((HUGS))
Not only am I praying for you, but I’ve got my church praying for you guys as well. Poor Gaby.
I’m so sorry, Dwan. I wish with all my heart I lived close so I could come help. But I can pray, so you and Gabby will be in my prayers.