day 3: more tests

we woke up this morning and took KG to have the HIDA scan.  i never knew what nuclear medicine was until today.  they gave KG an IV and then injected some sort of radioactive material into her bloodstream.  insane.

it took about an hour or so for the machine to take the various images of her organs.  she was calm and content just sucking on a paci.  she had a few fussy moments, but overall she did awesome.  the tech told me that her "plumbing" appeared to be in tact.  which gave us huge hope.

we had to go back at about 2:30 this afternoon for another scan to get a few more pictures.  at about 4pm one of the dr's came in to talk to us.  she share some great news with us expressing that KG does NOT have biliary atresia.  PRAISE GOD.  the scan also showed us that her liver is taking and excreting bile the way it is supposed to...but the "plumbing" is just a little slow.

the slowness is likely caused by some sort of viral infection.  the infection is causing the swelling of the liver and spleen.  this also is the reason so many of the enzymes are high, iron is high, etc.  the liver just isn't 100%.

an hour or so later, the GI team came in and shared the same good news.  at this point, we still don't know what virus.  and they want to figure that out.  so the game plan, as of now, is to run a series of tests.  KG will need to have some more blood drawn and they will send it out for more testing.  not sure exactly when/if we will be discharged...but they did mention we don't necessarily have to wait for results here in the hospital because her vitals have been good.  we just need the other numbers to drop down and for her yellow color to GO AWAY.

so again...we wait.  but today, we are refreshed and renewed and reminded of God's perfect provision and love.  we are thankful for our sweet keller grace and God's protection over her.

i have to share one email with all of you that i received from my best friend's dad.  i was so broken and this note from him helped to restore my faith...

Just a note to tell you how sorry I am about the uncertainties with Keller right now. I know that Erik, Evie and Keller mean everything to you; they are your life. 

And now, one of them is having some very real struggles. 

I hope this next sentence doesn't sound preachy or sound like there is even the slightest hint of criticism in it (there is no criticism here). You are a person who is used to being in charge; if there is a problem, you fix it. Now you are in a situation where you cannot fix the problem. For those of us who are problem solvers, this is a difficult place to be.

The God who knit Keller together and gave her to you knew what He was doing then; and, He knows what He is doing now. You may not know what is going on; but He does.
 
You are not entrusting her to the doctor's hands, you are entrusting her to God's hands. His loving hands are holding her. His loving hands are holding all four of you. His grace will sustain you - always remember that.
After all, before she was even born, God gave you the wisdom to place Grace in her name.

this is not the only note i received.  i have to say a huge thank you to all of you.  the text messages of encouragement, the emails of empathy, the facebook posts of support...words can not describe how grateful we have been for all the support we have received.  many of you i haven't talked to in years.  you have helped us to keep breathing and hoping.