Brody is in the ICU

Yesterday,  as we are all packed up to leave Nationwide Children's and head home,  Brody started vomiting large amounts of bright red blood and huge blood clots.  He did this multiple times and so,  of course,  we did not leave the hospital.

He had a CT scan last night which showed he was having bleeding around the sight of the new G tube.   The g tube had also migrated  inward and was not snug against the wall of his stomach and was instead floating in his belly.   The GI docs repositioned the G tube and inflated the balloon of the g tube so that it was more snug against the wall.   It was hoped that this pressure would stop the bleeding.   He was also started on octreotide to restrict blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract and a Protonix drip (he has been getting ranitidine in his TPN too.   The Protonix and ranitidine are acid reducers which help protect against stomach ulcers.   TPN is his IV nutrition).   This was tried overnight and it was hoped it would be enough.   Unfortunately he kept vomiting large amounts of blood and kept requiring multiple units of blood and fluid boluses to keep him stable.   The bleeding wasn't stopping. 

He was taken for endoscopy and surgery this morning.   The endoscopy revealed the bleeding was coming from inside the g tube tract and there was also an ulcer.   The ulcer did not appear to be bleeding but clips were placed to seal it.   The surgeon reopened Brody's incision from the g tube placement and applied more stitches in and around the g tube tract.   Endoscopy after this showed the bleeding had stopped.   Yeah!!!   There were several large blood clots in his stomach.   These were broken up and suctioned out as best as they could.   There was one large clot remaining that they were unable to fully break up and was adhered to stomach possibly protecting a previous active bleeding area.   No blood was seen coming from under it.   They decided to leave it alone. 

Brody is now in the ICU under very close observation with breathing tube in place and he's sedated.   The worry is that he may start bleeding again and need to go right back in to surgery.   He has both an NG and G tube that are being flushed frequently to keep both lines open and draining.   The contents of this drainage are being watched for new bleeding and volumes are checked to be sure he is not retaining too much in his stomach and risking him vomiting again.   He is on multiple anti-nausea meds too.   So far there has not been evidence of new bleeding based on this drainage and labs,  etc.   He will remain in ICU for today.   Tomorrow morning they plan to pull the breathing tube if all continues well.   And,  he will be transferred to heme/onc then.   At which point,  we work towards getting him home again. 

It's been an emotionally and physically exhausting couple of days.   Brody has been in a tremendous amount of pain as he has been vomiting between 250 and 500ml of bright red blood and blood clots as he was already in a lot of pain recovering from the G Tube surgery on top of the pain he already has from his tumor.   There are no words to describe how horrible it has been.   Brody has been his amazing and usual extremely tough self.   I don't know how he deals with all of this.   But he does.   He is still happy between the awfulness.   He does not complain about the unfairness.  

Geordi arrived by airplane to Columbus today.  Geordi's best buddy Levi Naves happens to have a dad who is a pilot.  He flew Geordi down to us again too.   Geordi has been staying with the Naves family this week.   He has had fun going fishing and playing in a new fort in the woods behind Levi's house.   The Naves family has helped out us out many,  many times through this journey and we are so grateful to have such wonderful friends.   (We are very lucky to have so many friends and family that have helped us over and over again.   I cannot imagine how much more difficult this journey would be without that support).   Jaden has been spending the week with grandma and papaw.   They have been bringing him to visit Brody frequently too and have been doing his school work with him.   (Jaden is still doing home school).   My sister Julie and her family were able to make it to Columbus for a visit last weekend.  We are all so glad we got to spend that time together.   Our neighbor Barbie has helped out with mowing our yard while we have been away and helping take care of our pets for part of the time we have been away.   Mirissa Corthell has been staying at our house this past week,  caring for our pets and keeping them happy.    Both mine and Bill's jobs have been more than understanding and accomodating to our needs to care for Brody.   We have had many folks praying for us and sending kind words and positive thoughts.   We appreciate greatly all everyone is doing to help us through this.   We certainly feel surrounded by loving,  caring and wonderful people.