We arrived at TCH around 4:00 am. Thursday (4/7). We both were very tired, it had been another long evening without much rest. Her labs were drawn and came back with a high bilirubin count (bile build-up) as well as elevated liver enzymes. The diagnosis so far is one of three, but not quite sure yet:
1. Bile duct obstruction......basically just a build up of "stuff" (blood, plasma, fluids, etc.). Dr. Karrrer says this is the most likely but we can't be sure yet. It is treated with antibiotics and a much heavier dose of steroids, perhaps intravenously (IV) rather than oral.
2. Cholangitis.....infection of the bile ducts. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain and dark urine. Mercy has not experienced any of these as of yet. However, other symptoms include acholic stool and jaundice, both of which she currently has.
3. Surgery was unsuccessful.....meaning the connection between her gall bladder and liver is failing. Treatment would mean another surgery, this time attaching the intestine to the liver rather than the gall bladder. Considering HOW LONG we went post surgery without any issues, this is the most unlikely answer....thank goodness.
So, where are we at today, right now?
We are waiting to get her labs drawn again which will tell us which direction to go based on what I desribed above. She will have a new IV placed also since the one placed at home was not very comfortable for Mercy. This will allow administration of the steroid if necessary.
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