Thanks for keeping us informed, Truff. My prayers are with them.

Back at Hotel-Children's Memorial...
And the news is not the greatest.
Sorry.

Dr. Donaldson and Dr. Kim from IR told me before the procedure that it would either take 15 minutes or an hour and a half, depending on what they found. After an hour and 35 minutes my stomach cramped into knots. Then Dr. Kim came with the news.

The tube is still in. At this point they do not feel comfortable taking it out, considering how rotten everything looked. She had not only sludge but also stones that had formed out of the sludge. One could call them gallstones, but since she no longer has a gallbladder (since Dec. 19 2003) I'll just call them stones. Stupid stones.

So Dr. Kim said, "At this point I would recommend re-transplant, but we cannot get in touch with Dr. Superina or Dr. Alonso, since they are both out of town for the next 2 days." (Those are her main doctors and the head of the department.)

As I sat there, dropping everything I came in with, my coat on the floor, spilling my latte, and picking my jaw off of the floor, I was stunned.

She is now inpatient at least for the nexst 24 hours to monitor her. Since they did some major cleaning of the ducts, they want to watch her. She is having some bleeding in her stool, so we are keeping an eye on it.

She's feeling kind of crappy right now, in every sense of the word.

Hang in there Becca and know that your BOL family is all here for you. You and your family are in my prayers.

Grrr. I'm so sorry that it wasn't what we were all hoping for. Please know you're in our prayers.

oh dear. I was so hoping and praying for a bit of good news on this dreary sad day.

She's in the best place she could be getting care from the best doctors and, while I cannot claim that my prayers are the best, she (and you and Jason) have them too.

((hugs)) dear Becca. Stay strong. Let us know if you need anything beyond what we write here.

TR

I am so sorry to read your report on the latest condition. Prayers being said......Please continue on with faith...

Continued prayers for you and your family, Becca. Hold on to your faith and to each other.

I've been reading the news, but not posting - after holding my precious nieces and nephews this past weekend, my heart is overflowing with thoughts of your precious little one - She's beautiful and our thoughts and prayers are with you!!!

Becca, so sorry you did not get the news you were hoping for. I will continue to lift you and your family up in prayers.

Continued prayers for your entire family.

Becca, it is so hard to read your words without tears coming to my eyes. Natalie, as well as you and your husband, have been through so much. Stay strong for your Bear and know that all of us here are praying like crazy for all of you. Take care!

I'm sorry you did not get good news. Like LL, it's hard to read your posts without my eyes welling up. I can't imagine how difficult it is for you to post and update.

Prayers for Strength and love and good days are coming from Hawaii.

Oh I am so sorry Becca. Continued prayers and extra (((hugs))) for everyone.

Becca, you and your whole family are in my thoughts. Poor little Bear...

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry that the news was so rotten.

Becca, I am so sorry the news was so bad and that your little Natalie is feeling so rotten. D***, I wish I had that magic wand now and with just the flip of a wrist, everything would be wonderful!! Just know that we are all praying for you all and feel our love and hugs.

Dam*, I'm so sorry that the roller-coaster started uphill again. I still would be happy to be tested if there is any chance I could help her Becca. Please keep me posted.

Becca, Bear and family - You're in my thoughts and prayers, too.

Becca, you and your wonderful family are in my prayers. I am so very sorry to hear of this sad news, I find myself wiping tears from my eyes as I am reading. Poor little bear to go through so many setbacks, but just think what a strong woman she will grow to be. She is in my daily prayers along with both you and Jason. She is getting the very best care possible, keep your faith strong.

Gosh, I am sorry to hear this news. Please stay strong and lean on us anytime.

Prayers to you and your family. Keep strong. Thinking of you.

I'm really sorry to hear the bad news. I really admire you for being so strong. Now that I have a little one I can not imagine what you are going through. Keep praying as I will for you and your little one.
WAIT! Everyone here in the office will be praying for you two!

I'm very sorry to hear this. I'll continue to hold the bear and her family in my thoughts and prayers.

Stay strong and keep faith in God.

So sorry to hear this Becca. Know that your all of us are here for you!

From her page:

Who is ready for a roller coaster ride?

So I heard back from the hospital today...and Natalie does not have narrowing at her bile ducts like was suspected. No, instead she has a central scar at the confluence of the ducts - much worse. Because this is higher than expected in the liver Dr. Superina said that she is "not a candidate for surgical revision" because it would be almost impossible for him to reach the scar.

Wheeeeee, isn't this ride fun?
However , here we go again on the ride... it may be worth another shot to try something new.

He still is not wanting to give up on the graft (my liver). This week she had NORMAL, that's right NORMAL, liver function tests. He, Dr. Superina, said that he feels that Dr. Donaldson (our favorite IR doctor) has some new tools and technology that will enable us to try and reach the scar - and perhaps place a metal stent of some sort. We were previously told that a stent was not a possibility - so I have lots of questions.

Is there a plan?
1. Keep the tube in - which is doing AWESOME by the way thanks to nurse Joan.
2. Come back towards the end of October for another cholangiogram squirt - that's what we just did Monday of this week.
3. See what Natalie's body does in the meantime.

So basically things are worse than we thought, but we are still holding onto some glimmer of hope that a new transplant is not needed.

and the roller coaster rolls to a stop for another day...All passengers please find the exits to your left...