Hospital Stay - Week 3

We are approaching week three of this hospital stay and are all exhausted. I truly do not know how we did this the first 15 months of Kyra's life. I'm so proud of Kory. He stayed with Ky for 5 straight days, no breaks, so that I could go to work. Honestly he deserves a metal of courage and rewards for his patience. It is not easy being in the hospital for that length of time without someone to relieve you. I am climbing the walls after two days. Kyra requires constant supervision and stimulation. HE IS A GREAT DAD!!!

Kyra is slowly making progress and yes, the bowels are working. Only those parents with a short gut child can truly appreciate and understand the celebration of poop. Kyra is having bowel movements every 1 1/2 - 2 hrs again. She is still in alot of pain from the surgery. The surgeons reported that there was a large amount of scar tissue that had to be brought down and the small bowel was manipulated alot so we should expect this pain response.

We have managed to keep Kyra busy with several projects that are transforming her hospital room into a zoo. Kyra can be bought with stickers, as her physicians and nurses have figured out. She also enjoys music therapy daily during the week. You would not believe the number of volunteers that give of their time to play and entertain with the kids here.

Thanks Aunt Cher for all the projects. We can always count on you, for the crafts and EVERYTHING else we need. You always know before us what that need is.

From Daddy

Kyra

by Kory Conrad on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 11:40pm

For the past two months we have been in and out of the Cleveland Clinic. Today they decided to go in and fix a stricture at the top of Kyra's Colon. The surgeons were reluctant to go in because the bowel can be damaged easily, it's fragile, with no guarantees that a new stricture wouldn't form from the scar tissue that is left over from the operation.

Two years ago on this very date Kyra had her first surgery. Through the skillful hands of Dr. DiFiore he was able to attach 5 separate pieces of small intestines together. One piece was about a cm long. He managed to accumulate 9 cms of intestine. We were told that a child needed 70 cms to live.

Kyra's Neonatologist Dr. D'Netto never let our family lose hope. There were many dark hours throughout the first years of Kyra's life, but Dr. D'Netto was a beacon of light especially for my wife. Kyra's guardian angel walks on Earth. She goes by Marita. I would be amiss if I didn't mention the skilled work of Kyras gastrointestinal team led by Dr. Radhakrishnan. They formulated a plan for Kyra and it's surpassing my family's dreams.

To make a very long story short. After today's surgery the surgeons informed us Kyra has 70 cms of small intestine and 30 cms of large. I asked the surgeon if you didn't know Kyra's back story, what would be your prognosis. He said "a normal life". I never thought I would ever hear those words considering Kyra. I am a blessed man.

Now anyone who knows my family. Kyra has had many ups and downs. I'm always cautious talking about the future for Kyra because we are reminded daily there are no guarantees for a tomorrow. I now have "hope" for a tomorrow.