Concerns
Wednesday is my day in the office, so that's where I was when Lauren called me yesterday and told me that we needed to take Ruth to Iowa City. That hit me like a punch in the gut.
We thought Ruth might have an infection at the site of her G-tube surgery. Our concerns started on Monday when we noticed she was starting to develop a rash on her torso. Those concerns continued into the night when we noticed fluid streaming out from around her G-tube. This was more than a leak, but less than a gush. But it was enough that we needed to soak it up with a small towel. We also noticed that we could sometimes hear air escaping from the same area when Ruth’s stomach needed vented.
We had the surgery team's number on hand for situations like this, so I called them just after midnight. I was placed on hold for a while, but then I was able to talk with the doctor. After we talked through what was happening, we agreed to monitor it until morning and then reevaluate.
Thankfully, we didn't see any more signs of concern the rest of the night. That is, not until after I left for work in the morning. The leak continued, and it was a pink and brown color. The rash also started to get worse. Lauren messaged our home nurse, and she said we needed to take Ruth in. This all could be the sign of an infection. We would need to take Ruth straight to the UIHC emergency department in Iowa City. Thankfully, we called ahead to let our team know what was going on, and they were able to get us straight into clinic.
Lauren had an appointment with our family doctor that she needed to keep, so she stayed back with Martha while Mima (my mom) and I set off with Ruth. Our plan being to have Lauren and Martha meet us later.
We checked in early, and they took us back to our appointment almost immediately.
We thought Ruth might have an infection at the site of her G-tube surgery. Our concerns started on Monday when we noticed she was starting to develop a rash on her torso. Those concerns continued into the night when we noticed fluid streaming out from around her G-tube. This was more than a leak, but less than a gush. But it was enough that we needed to soak it up with a small towel. We also noticed that we could sometimes hear air escaping from the same area when Ruth’s stomach needed vented.
We had the surgery team's number on hand for situations like this, so I called them just after midnight. I was placed on hold for a while, but then I was able to talk with the doctor. After we talked through what was happening, we agreed to monitor it until morning and then reevaluate.
Thankfully, we didn't see any more signs of concern the rest of the night. That is, not until after I left for work in the morning. The leak continued, and it was a pink and brown color. The rash also started to get worse. Lauren messaged our home nurse, and she said we needed to take Ruth in. This all could be the sign of an infection. We would need to take Ruth straight to the UIHC emergency department in Iowa City. Thankfully, we called ahead to let our team know what was going on, and they were able to get us straight into clinic.
Lauren had an appointment with our family doctor that she needed to keep, so she stayed back with Martha while Mima (my mom) and I set off with Ruth. Our plan being to have Lauren and Martha meet us later.
We checked in early, and they took us back to our appointment almost immediately.
Answers
The surgical nurse practitioner we met with evaluated Ruth, and we were thankful to hear that she didn’t think Ruth had an infection at the site of her surgery. Praise God for this! Instead, she thought Ruth had two different issues happening concurrently.
The first is that Ruth has a keyhole wound at the site of her surgery due to skin breakdown where it rubs against the G-tube. They warned us about this, and it can happen even with the best care—especially if a child has sensitive skin, like Ruth does. This is the cause of the leaking around her G-tube. Thankfully, we caught this early, so with the proper care we should be able to see it heal. For this, we received more training and more supplies.
The first is that Ruth has a keyhole wound at the site of her surgery due to skin breakdown where it rubs against the G-tube. They warned us about this, and it can happen even with the best care—especially if a child has sensitive skin, like Ruth does. This is the cause of the leaking around her G-tube. Thankfully, we caught this early, so with the proper care we should be able to see it heal. For this, we received more training and more supplies.
The second is that Ruth likely has some sort or respiratory infection. This is what’s been causing the mucus in her airway that she’s been struggling to clear as well as her rash. They tested her, but the results were negative. This doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a virus. It just means that she likely has a virus that wasn’t included in their testing.
Thankfully, Ruth didn’t need to be admitted. But we decided to stay in Iowa City for the night since we had more appointments this morning. And we prefer to be nearby in case an emergency really does develop.
The only reason that we would need to be admitted is if Ruth starts to become dehydrated. Since her birth she’s already had two experiences with dehydration, both when she had viral infections, so we’re monitoring this.
Thankfully, Ruth didn’t need to be admitted. But we decided to stay in Iowa City for the night since we had more appointments this morning. And we prefer to be nearby in case an emergency really does develop.
The only reason that we would need to be admitted is if Ruth starts to become dehydrated. Since her birth she’s already had two experiences with dehydration, both when she had viral infections, so we’re monitoring this.
Sufficient Grace
There were several ways God showed us His grace to us in all of this:
- Prayer chains started immediately in our church, our families, and our neighbors. When I first heard the news, I was pummeled. But as I drove to Iowa City, I recognize that I had a peace that passed understanding (Philippians 4:4-7). I knew that it was because we were all being lifted up to the Lord in prayer. Thank you.
- We were blessed to have Lynn Secor with us as all of this developed. She was able to play with Martha while we prepared and packed. This isn’t the first time we have seen God’s providence in this way!
- For the first time in weeks, Ruth didn’t cry once while in her car seat on the drive down to Iowa City. She either sat quietly or slept. This was clearly God’s grace because she started crying again when we left the hospital.
- Ruth hasn’t had a fever. Thank God for this! If she did, all of this would be a lot more concerning. That could be an indication of an infection at the site of her surgery, or it would simply make healing that much more difficult.
- Thanks to friends of Lauren’s family, we have a place near UIHC that we can stay.
- Despite all of that she’s been through, Ruth is as joyful as ever!
Battling Bitterness
The cry of my heart in this has come from Psalm 13, “How long, O LORD?” Along with wondering why has God allowed this to happen again, we also wonder when will it end? Driving to the hospital for emergency situations has become unbearably common. We dread it.
Not only this, but in our stress and tension, I have been bitter at heart, and we have been hard on one another. As Debbie Bell is praying, we need the Holy Spirit to fill us with fresh love and joy in Christ. Thank you for your prayers for us.
Not only this, but in our stress and tension, I have been bitter at heart, and we have been hard on one another. As Debbie Bell is praying, we need the Holy Spirit to fill us with fresh love and joy in Christ. Thank you for your prayers for us.
Psalm 13
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
[1] How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
[2] How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
[3] Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
[4] lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
[5] But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
[6] I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.