Day 20
It’s been only a few days since our last post but I thought I would update you on what is going on. I wish I had good news but at this point unfortunately that is not the case. After finding the baseball size abscess via ultrasound on Monday we talked it over with the surgeon on Tuesday as to the best method to drain it. One option was to use interventional radiology to use a needle to drain it and then to leave a small drain in place. The other option would be to go back in via laparoscopic surgery to clean it out again. We decided the latter. We figured that being able to visualize the abscess and to clean out any other infection was worth another surgery. Regardless, Maliyah would be under anesthesia.
So, once again we brought her down to preop and carried her to the OR doors, and once again we had to see and hear her cry, as she was carried away for surgery. No matter how often it happens, it still isn’t easy..
Thankfully, Maliyah recovered way better for this surgery than last Monday. Her vital signs were stable and she didn’t spike any fevers until Wednesday afternoon. We were actually hopeful that we may be on the upward swing of things. However, last night her fever spiked to 103.2 and today it has hit as high as 102.9. Due to the persistent high fevers the doctors ordered a slew of labs and tests to see if there might be another source of infection whether it be bacterial, yeast, and/or fungal. We are still waiting on those results. Another challenge is that she has become anemic and is almost in need of a blood transfusion, but due to the infection in her body, the transfusion may not go very well.
Maliyah’s energy level isn’t very good at this point due to the fevers and it’s hard to see her so uncomfortable. We need your prayers like never before so that she can start to turn the corner to feeling better.
Through all of this, we have had so much support and love poured out to us. One of the nurses said that they have never seen a patient receive so much mail. Thank you to all those who have sent cards, packages, and balloons/gifts from the hospital gift shop. It sparks a few moments of joy in Maliyah’s day.
For those of you who are inquiring our address here at the hospital is:
Kapiolani Medical Center
Carter Unit #233 (Maliyah Caswell)
1319 Punahou St.
Honolulu, HI 96826
And the gift shop number is (808)983-8269 They are open M-F 9am-5pm (HST)
Also our dear friends Ruddy Vivanco and Vivien Vasquez set up a GoFundMe page for Maliyah.
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/8d048b3c
We are humbled and thankful for everyone’s generosity. But most of all we ask for your prayers. We know that prayers move the arm that moves the world and that miracles can happen. Please pray specifically for Maliyah’s fevers to stop and for her digestive system to start working again. Thank you once again from the bottom of our hearts.
