Fundoplicaton Friday

Kiera had another busy day today.  We left for Children's Hospital at 10:30 am for a day of appointments.  The first was with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who examined Kiera's spine.  Because Kiera has five atypical vertebrae we are concerned that she will develop scoliosis.  The doctor said that it was fortunate that Kiera had so many atypical vertebrae rather than just one.  He said that more serious problems with posture and movement occur when there is only one vertebra affected.  It seems that the body is better able to compensate for the abnormalities when there are more of them.  He said that Kiera's spine is developing fine but he does want to follow Kiera closely to catch problems before they become disabling.

The second appointment today was with endocrinology.  There are three endocrinologists working on Kiera's case and they are stumped as to why she is still having low blood sugars but no longer have high blood sugars.  Treating Kiera's dumping syndrome should have taken care of the both types of abnormal sugars.  One of the endocrinologists is hoping that Kiera's fundoplication will solve the hyperinsulinemia (causing the low blood glucose).  Repairing the hiatus hernia would reduce the stimulation of the vagus nerve which is telling the body to produce extra insulin.  In case they are wrong, they have asked a metabolic specialist at the Health Sciences to become involved as well as the guru of low blood sugars, a specialist in Philadelphia.  So, the investigation into Kiera's mysterious blood sugar levels will be put on hold until after her fundoplication.

The third appointment was a pre-admit for Kiera's surgery that is still happening tomorrow.  Kiera was weighed, her blood pressure and blood oxygen levels were measured, and the anesthesiologist had a listen to her lungs.  Kiera was deemed healthy for surgery.  So, Kiera will get her last meal tonight and will be set to go for surgery tomorrow at 11:30 am.  We hope that this will solve her issues (e.g., reflux, vagus nerve stimulation).