Potential Set Back

The surgeons found a section of troubling intestine today when changing the dressing for her wound vac. All of her intestines are swollen as well. This is likely the cause of her vomiting bile. Much of Emerson's intestines are sitting outside of her in a "silo" dressing. Before this was to relieve the pressure on her lungs and organs; now it is so they can montitor this bad section to make sure that it doesn't perforate and contaminate her. This little loop of troubling bowel was purlple when they first saw it, but within twenty minutes it began to pink up. They are pretty sure it won't be a problem but time will tell. Tomorrow they will bring her to the OR and run and wash her bowel, until then they are checking it about every four hours. It will likely remain in the silo dressing for up to a week until which time the swelling should go down. There is a chance that they may have to remove some more of her bowel.

They did remove the left chest tube today.