Emma Update: Abdomen Issues and Current Hospitalization

So since being back in Dallas, we have had several follow-up appointments that we have had to go to for Emma.  Let me start off by saying that everything heart related is looking good.  However, we have been noticing her abdomen growing in size ever since she was discharged from Boston.  As you might recall, we had abdomen swelling in Boston post her GJ tube placement and gallbladder removal.  However, after we had gotten the fluid off of her post those procedures, she had been pretty stable and not had a huge abdomen.  So, being concerned that it was fluid again, we asked the doctors to take a look into this which prompted an ultrasound of her abdomen on Friday night at 8pm.  As we feared, it showed a lot of fluid in her abdomen.  When her doctors received word of these findings, we were told we would be admitted this weekend to see what they could do for this.  The first step would be to use diuretics and try to get the fluid off.  However, in typical Emma fashion, her body could not tolerate this type of treatment.  Instead, she will need to have what is known as a paracentesis, which is a needle insertion into her abdomen to drain the fluid.  It is looking like this will happen on Monday at some point in time, but we have no confirmations of this yet.  Obviously, this is not what we want to be putting her through, but it is what she needs to have done.  She will have to be sedated for it as well.  As many might wonder, what is causing this fluid accumulation and what is this fluid that is in her abdomen?  To those questions the answers are, "Currently we do not know."  When they do the procedure they will take a sample of the fluid to test exactly what the make up of it is.  As to where or what is causing this, that is still in debate.  The make up of the fluid may shed light on that, so we will have to wait and see.  Emma, however, is stable and currently snoozing as I type this blog update.  She is in some pain as her abdomen is very large, but is still giving us smiles and happy times.

Prayer Requests:
1) Please pray for this upcoming procedure.  Pray that there are no complications and that it is successful in eliminating this excess fluid.
2) Please pray for all the medical staff that is involved in Emma's care.
3) Please pray that Emma is as comfortable as possible leading up to the procedure as well as following the procedure.
4) Please pray for strength for Sarah and me as we go through this journey with Emma.

As always, we continue to thank each and every one of you for the prayers and the support that you give our family.  It makes our hearts so happy to see the love that you show Emma and us. 

February 7th-14th is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month.  Please join us in supporting Emma and her heart buddies by wearing red sometime this week. 

God is good, all the time.  And all the time, God is good!

-Scott