A Hiccup We Wish Was Just the Hiccups

I brought Kristi to the Reedley ER after having ongoing vomiting and abdominal pain (both unusual for her) for the last 24 hours. A CT scan showed what appears to be a partial bowel obstruction. Because of her complex medical history and treatment background, and per our request, they decided it would be safest to transfer her to Stanford Hospital for specialized care.  We won’t leave Reedley until Stanford has a room ready and gives the green light  

A bowel obstruction means that part of the intestine has become blocked, which prevents food and fluids from moving through normally. It can cause pain, nausea, and swelling. In Kristi’s case, it’s very possible that this is related to her recent surgery or scar tissue (called adhesions) from earlier abdominal procedures. These adhesions can sometimes form bands that cause the bowel to twist or narrow.

At Stanford, the team will continue to monitor her closely and do further imaging to determine how severe the blockage is and whether it can clear on its own. A nasogastric (through the nose to the stomach) tube they placed in the ER is helping relieve pressure and is an important part of the treatment for bowel obstructions — but it’s not comfortable to say the least. 

Many blockages can resolve without surgery, but if it doesn’t improve, they’ll consider next steps carefully. She’ll likely be at Stanford for at least a couple days  

For now, the focus is on keeping Kristi stable, comfortable, and hydrated while her doctors assess how best to move forward. As always, she’s in good hands and facing everything with incredible strength.