Mega-Duodenum

No, it's not the latest super hero, it's what the GI found today during Joshua's scope. For reasons they have not been able to identify at this time, his duodenum is extremely enlarged. Most likely this is due to the fact that his bowel does not move properly. In addition, the doctor found lots of irritated surface area. Once again, thanks to the bacterial overgrowth, possibly an allergy? We should know more next week. He also sent off a sample of fluid from the pancreas to see just how well it's functioning. He also placed a catheter through his g-button that starting tomorrow will monitor the movements in his bowel. For this to be accurate, Joshua must remain NPO (no food whatsoever) until 10:00 am. That'll make it 32 hours of with no feeds or oral intake.

"So now what do we do?" I asked the GI?

There are some medications that have been pulled off the market that work for some, but it takes a long time for approval, and there's some side effects.

We can adjust his diet.

And last but not least.....

Transplantation is back on the table. Justin and I weren't prepared for that one. He says it is probably our only "fix." That far away abstract concept of such a scary procedure suddenly came rushing at us way too fast. Woa. Take a deep breath and pray.

I know I've been really vague to those of you that I've sent a message or talked to. I just don't know how to comprehend all of this just yet. All Justin and I can do is keep Joshua entertained and distracted. Distracted from the fact that he's hungry and from the strange tubes coming out of his stomach attached to 20 electrodes.

Someone distract me....