Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Quick note: in surgery

About an hour ago, Loki went in for his nephrostomy. He should be out in another hour. I will try to post the results as soon as I can, but these often these situations make it difficult to break away with the computer.

When I get more time, I'll write more details. For now, I'll describe the one risk that may come up during surgery. The catheter (drainage tube) is inserted with a firm wire initially inside if it. Once the wire is removed, the tip of the tube coils like a pig's tail, allowing the tube to stay inside the kidney. Normally this allows the surgeon to try a couple pokes, if needed. Once it is in right, the wire is withdrawn and the tube coils. But Loki's kidney is so small that the part of the tube that coils, when it is straight before the wire is pulled, is longer than his kidney. Thus, he will put it in part way, and then withdraw the wire as he finishes pushing in the tube. This means he has only one shot to get it right.

More info, as it it, and I, are available.

0 comments:

About Loki Sky

Loki Sky is a special little man. He was a very early micropreemie, weighing only 610 grams (1 lb, 5 oz) after 24 weeks, 3 days gestation, born to an American Father and a Dutch Mother in Berkeley, California on October 18, 2008.

On January 11, 2009, while still in the hospital NICU, his one kidney stopped working. It was repaired after three surgeries. After spending time in three hospitals in three cities, Loki came home on February 17. He struggled with eating, and then stopped in July, leading to 8 days in the hospital, a failure-to-thrive diagnosis, and a NG feeding tube. On October 10, a minor surgery installed a G feeding tube. Another procedure replaced it with a new one, and then again with a Mic-Key button in Jan. 2010.

In August 2010, he and his parents moved to the Netherlands.

Read about his first name.
Read & hear about his middle name.
See photos.
See videos.

Subscribe via email

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Loki's Holiday Gift Drive

Please consider donating to Loki's Holiday Gift Drive for the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center NICU. You can donate by Paypal or credit card here:





Click here for more information, including how to pay by check. For all posts on the Gift Drive, click here.

Blog Archive