On the 25th we updated that the doctors added another chest tube to drain the fluid that had accumulated around Brian's right lung. The doctors think the fluid accumulation is the result of a thoracic duct leak. The fluid is called chyle and contains some of Brian's white blood cells. It has continued to drain leaving him more susceptible to infection. Another surgery will probably be necessary to correct this problem. Unfortunately Brian needs to be off the jet ventilator before surgery is possible.

Brian is very swollen right now because his fluid is not in the right place. The fluid is leaking out of his vessels into his tissue forcing the nurses to replace it. The doctors suspect Brian has a condition called superior vena cava which means fluid is not draining from his head because there is a block in the vein. This would explain his very swollen head. Brian may correct this problem by himself or the doctors may have to balloon the vein or place a stint in the vein to allow the fluid to drain.

Although these are more hurdles and potentially serious problems for Brian to overcome we are told that he is following the typical course of a CDH baby. Earlier this evening we had the opportunity to see the the same baby we met several months ago during our first visit to Mott. At the time this baby was on ECMO and experienced the same issues that Brian is dealing with now. He went home last week and was back for a checkup appointment. He looked GREAT!. He is doing very well and is one of the cutest babies we have ever seen. Seeing him gave Alyssa and I more reassurance that in a few months Brian will be coming home too.