Well, unfortunately the internal drain was not able to be placed. Kaelyn's bile duct walls are too thin in result of the inflamation and a possible infection. The external drain is still in place and they will retry the surgery in a few weeks after her ducts have a chance to strengthen up. If they are still not successful with the interventional radiology method (inserting the tube with the guidance of ultrasound) they will possible do a more invasive surgery to try and place the drain. Hopefully the next time around all will go well.
We have been in and out of the hospital a lot in the past few weeks for various reasons, but Kaelyn is doing very well. She seems to feel pretty good. And she looks awfully cute carrying around her bile bag in a pretty pink Hello Kitty backpack! What an amazing girl she is!
She also is featured in an ad campaign for Seattle Children's Hospital. Her mug is on the home page of www.seattlechildrens.org. If you click on the link next to the picture it will bring you to a larger version of the photo. The man with her is the head of the transplant program at Children's and is very involved with her care. It was pretty fun have her in her first "model" shoot! She is deffinitely a natural, as long as her pacifier is alon for the ride!
Love to all,
Angie
