Sep
16
2008
8th Day Post Surgery - 1:00 PM
Well, we have a little bit of a bummer. This morning they tested the fluid they have been suctioning out of her plural cavity because it has changed color. The fluid tested positive for Chyle. Chyle a thick mixture of lymph and tiny fat globules and usually has a milky white appearance. It is the byproduct of lymph capillaries function in the small intestine. Carbohydrates are small enough to pass directly from the intestine into the bloodstream, fats are not. So these lymph capillaries in the small intestine are able to absorb those fats and anything else that is too big to get absorbed directly into the blood. These lymph capillaries are also called lymph lacteals. Since we messed up the natural function of Lille's body during surgery it takes a while for things to get back on track. So breast milk is out for a while until Lilee can begin to digest the fats again. I am pretty sure the technical term for what she has is a "chyle fistula" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chyle.
They will be feeding her a special formula called "Portagen" which has smaller fat molecules so it will be able to pass through the lymph capillaries and on to the liver without getting lost and ending up in her abdomen. Its all about pressure! Let me tell you this body of ours is one amazing machine. I want to take organic chemistry again just so I can be reminded of how intricate and incredible the minute processes are that keep us alive. We take them for granted when it works correctly don't we?
Here is our beautiful red head with only a feeding tube - how awesome is that!