The doctors noticed on Saturday night after more than a day that Taylor was eating breast milk, that the fluid draining from the tube was not as clear as it has been, but milky and the Doctor seemed concerned. Today they tested a sample of this fluid from the drainage tube and from those results determined what actually has been the cause of the Hydrops. Taylor has a rare congenital condition where the Thoracic duct, located in the right chest area, is not functioning properly. Because this duct is not working right, fluid is building up in her chest cavity instead of going where it is supposed to go. This needs to be corrected. The doctors are not allowing Taylor to be fed Jenny’s milk right now. The doctors have ordered a CAT scan tomorrow for Taylor to hopefully allow them see exactly what is going on with the Thoracic duct. She will probably be fed a special formula at this point that she can handle better, until the problem is resolved. The doctor have given us a few different scenarios and plan of action for Taylor’s duct to start functioning correctly:
1) Sometimes the problem with the duct will heal itself over time – this would be wonderful!
2) There is an experimental drug that has been shown to help heal the duct.
3) Surgery would be performed to repair the duct – Sparrow cannot do this surgery, so they would have to be transferred to Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor or DeVoss Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
It is good to have a diagnosis, but hard at the same time. Because the milk is causing the fluid to change they have stopped feeding her until sometime tomorrow when they can begin the special formula. It was extremely difficult to see her today because she was starving (she now knows the feeling of a full belly, and she knows her’s is empty).
We know the Lord is not surprised by the leak in Taylor’s thoracic duct and that He can continue to show His power and might in healing Taylor in His perfect way and in His perfect timing. Thank you for lifting up Taylor and our family before the throne of our great healing Father. He is good and never leaves us nor forsakes us.