Esther and Katherine are ready and cleared for the transplant tomorrow! There was a potential complication that arose on Friday, so we haven't been 100% sure that the transplant would actually take place until we got word this evening.
The story is too long and I am too tired to try to explain all the details. Suffice to say, Katie had some baby bunnies die suddenly and unexpectedly. The surgeon learned of this at Esther's pre-op appointment on Friday and was overly concerned (in our opinion) that the deaths could be caused by a disease that might be passed to humans. He immediately put Esther on antibiotics and threatened to cancel Wednesday's transplant if he didn't have answers by Tuesday (today). We spent the rest of the day last Friday researching and talking on the phone with our local vet, two state vets, a doctor at the Department of Health, and folks at the state water testing lab. We spent hundreds of dollars to have one of the bunnies necropsied and tissue samples FedEx'ed to a lab in New Jersey. Feed samples went out for testing. The situation escalated into a huge stress for us as we scrambled to get the answers that the surgeon required.
Reports from the N.J. lab today showed no evidence of any disease. Mycotoxins in the feed are the likely culprit, but difficult to prove. Katie found evidence of the feed being contaminated with corn and corn is a problem for rabbits.
The surgeon is satisfied that there is no threat to Esther (or Katie and Samuel who are immune suppressed) and we are proceeding with the transplant. Whew!!
After last night's pain ordeal, we got some other folks involved in Esther's care. They changed her pain medication and it has made a world of difference! Praise God! Fletcher Allen is a teaching hospital and sometimes those learning are doing just that - learning. There has reportedly been some follow-up between attendings and residents because of the poor care that Esther received.
Leaving that behind, we're looking ahead to tomorrow with mixed emotions. Katherine starts things off by arriving at the hospital at 6:00 a.m. She'll be the first into the O.R. at about 7:30. Esther is expected to follow around 10:00 a.m. I'll try to post an update during the day.
We covet your prayers!
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Lord be with the surgeons right now as they work on our precious Esther. Hold Lydia, Samuel, Katie, Hannah, Grace, Tom and Nancy in your arms and support them in all that they are doing to support one another. God bless the dishwasher, bread maker, animal feeder, car driver, hand holder, floor sweeper, compost emptier, and encouraging smile givers among them and help them see how their "small" tasks are helping Esther's recovery.
Amen
-Kelly
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