It’s starting to feel a bit too much like a pattern… Peanut got sick again over the weekend and ended up being readmitted to the UIHC. That makes it the third time in the last five weeks. This time though, things are slightly different.

During Peanut’s two prior stays, she’s tested positive for c. diff. Though there was some mixed opinions if Peanut could even get sick from c. diff, she was still treated as if it was a possible cause of her illness – which included contact quarantine in her hospital room.

This week, Peanut’s c. diff test results came back negative. Her doctors also have the results of a recent dye contrast scan of Peanut’s intestines that was taken at her check-up last week. The scan showed that her intestines have dilated becoming too wide in spots to function properly. This confirmed an alternative diagnose that Peanut was suffering from bacteria overgrowth in her intestines.

With all of this new information, Peanut’s GI doctor and surgeon now believe the best thing for Peanut is to go ahead with the surgery to reconnect her intestines to her rectum and address the issue of her dilated intestines and bacteria growth while they have her opened up and can physically see the issue and decide the best course of action. In the mean time, Peanut will stay at the UIHC on an IV to recover from the last five weeks as much as possible prior to the surgery. The great July and August growth spurt she experienced that took her up to just shy of 20 pounds has completely disappeared and she’s now back to 17 pounds. Three pounds may not seem like much to us, but for Peanut that translates to a loss of 15% of her body weight at a time when she should be steadily gaining.

As I mentioned earlier, Peanut tested negative for c. diff this week. Not only is that good news from a medical standpoint, but it also means her stay will be a little easier. With a negative test result, she’s no longer restricted to stay in her room. That means when she feels up to it she can leave her room and roam the hospital with her IV in tow. Since she’s still a little young to enjoy the toy room and company of the other kids, her favorite activity has quickly become wagon rides.

Much like last year, we are once again a house divided. The DW has set up camp with Peanut on a couch at the side of her bed while I try to maintain a routine for the rest of the kiddos. Early estimates are for Peanut to spend two or three weeks at the hospital once her surgery is complete. Knowing how bumps along the way can set things back, I’ll be thrilled if we can all spend Thanksgiving at home.

So that’s the plan for now. Any of you who have spent time in a hospital know that plans are always subject to change and normally do.