Poop Happens

One thing about being a parent of a liver transplant kid... you have the comfort and ability to speak candidly about fecal matter in a way few people, barring medical professionals, will ever grasp.

When Kai was in acute liver failure, her poop was "clay colored" or pale or sometimes black, indicating the presence of blood. Once she was transplanted and had a normal poop, everyone was so excited. Her doctor actually ran out of the room, holding her diaper in his hand for all to see, happily exclaiming, "Look at this beautiful ca-ca!" 

So, when we were discharged two Thursdays ago, only to return to the ER at Georgetown Sunday night - just over a week later - the first concern was, "Is she pooping?" She was, actually. She had earlier in the day. Then, she woke up from a nap screaming and writhing in pain. 

An X-ray, multiple blood tests, an ultrasound, multiple attempts to sedate her for a CT scan and then, finally, the actual CT scan and we're still not sure exactly what is going on. One theory is that she became a little backed up due to an iron supplement and it was sitting around the scar tissue, where there is some evidence that there could be an adhesion, which would make that super sensitive/painful. Another, which they lack concrete evidence to take invasive corrective measures for (i.e.: surgery) is that the scar tissue may be causing an obstruction, called inception, which could be potentially life threatening.

She was discharged Tuesday with the caution from her Dr. to bring her in immediately if she had any repeat symptoms or manifests any new symptoms.

All this stink over poop.