It's a Penny!!

Today they did another x-ray and the coin was located in the upper part of her stomach and showed no signs of moving in a 24 hour period, so Trinity's G-I doctor decided it was best to go in and retrieve it. At 11:00 this morning Trinity went in for her third surgery in 5 days. They put a scope down through her esophagus into her stomach and retrieved the "Penny". They thought it would have taken around an hour or so, but it only took 10 minutes! They were all quite impressed with the record time they found it in. She came out of surgery great and made her way back to her room around 12:15. We thought we were there for the night, but we got surprised with the news that Trinity would be discharged later in the afternoon!! We were excited to hear that.
So as I write this we are relaxing at home and Trinity is doing well. She's showing some pain and discomfort, but not surprised with the brace she has to wear. This is going to be a long 12 weeks that she has to wear it. We have the "penny" sitting in a container and will be putting it somewhere in safe keeping. The nurses were all excited to hear what the mystery object was in Trinity's stomach, when we got back up to the orthopedic floor. They were wishing they would have made bets on what it was. When we left today I was once again reminded how loved our little girl is. The nurses all line up as we leave and most giving her hugs and kisses. It feels so good to know that they all have so much love for our little angel!! When I asked Trinity if she was ready to go home, she told me no. I guess that just goes to show how much she loves Gillette and their nurses!!

No Coin

After 2 hours they were unable to remove the coin. They think when they stuck the scope down that it put pressure on the coin and pushed it down into her stomach. They are going to do an x-ray tomorrow morning and a consult with G-I doctors and see where to go from there. They also did a brohnoscopy while they were in there to make sure it wasn't in her airway and of course found nothing, but did find a lot of mucus that they suctioned out and are hoping that might help with her oxygen levels. They had to intubate her for this which they were hoping that they wouldn't have to do, so we are not real sure when we will get out of here.

Trinity the Piggy Bank!

We found out today that Trinity has a dime stuck in her esophagus! Crazy huh?!? They did an x-ray to check her rod and brace and found it on the x-ray. When they pulled up the x-ray from her last surgery they noticed that it was there then too. Unfortunately it was right over top of her rod and was not noticeable. So some time before her first spinal rod surgery she swallowed a dime. I am in total shock! Trinity does not put things in her mouth because they make her gag and choke so this completely shocks me! She will go down to surgery around 2:00 and is scheduled at 3:00 to have it removed by the ENT with a scope, alot like a endoscopy. We were hoping to go home today, but I am not thinking that is going to happen, plus she's having a hard time coming off of oxygen and has been dipping down into the low 80's for her oxygen levels. They are going to continue to watch it, but thinking it has alot to do with her being flat for the past 3 days, so we are crossing our fingers that's all it is. They are also still working out some minor details on her brace to make it as comfortable as possible. It is very restricting for her. I will try to take a picture of her once the brace is done and post it on here. It really breaks your heart to see her in it, but if it will keep the rod from coming detached again then we have to do what is best for Trinity.

Surgery Done

A little late on the update, but Trinity was done with surgery around 11:00 and did great! The surgery ended up taking around 3 hours. She's resting comfortably in her room and they are controlling her pain with Tylenol and Oxycodone. Every time she goes through something like this I am always amazed at how well she tolerates the pain and can handle using oral meds verses IV pain meds.
They only had to open a little less then half her back up to revise the rod. They used two hooks and then a tethered tape to wrap the rod around the bone. They feel like this will help keep it better secured. They are going to add to her TLSO (abdomen brace) an upper part that would extend up to her chin. This will give her added support so she don't bend forward and put pressure on the rod. This will be interesting since she has to wear the brace for 12 more weeks, but we will do what we need to to keep it from detaching again. For today she has to stay laying flat until they get the brace adjusted with the new attachment. They are hoping if all goes well she may get to go home Friday. We are crossing our fingers!
Thanks again for all the prayers and support!

Revision Surgery

Tomorrow morning, at 6:15, Trinity will be going back in for surgery to revise the current growing rod. The plan is to go in and use three hooks and wire to reattach the rod to the vertebrae. The surgery should take about 3 hours if everything goes as planned. Trinity has still been fighting a cold, but the pediatrician released her for surgery yesterday, so we hope there is no troubles tomorrow morning or during surgery. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!
We are blessed to have our family here again to support us during this time. It always feels good to have everyone with us and I know Trinity enjoys seeing them as well.
My sister-in-law, Tasha, sent us this the other day and I would like to share it with you. "God isn't at work producing the circumstances I want, God is at work in the bad circumstances to produce the me He wants!" With all the difficult circumstances that we have been through with Trinity, I pray that through it all we are allowing God to work through Shannon and I, and glorifying Him in all things!
Thank you for all the prayers and support!!!