Jude just suffered his second intussusception on 5/3. Intussusception is also called "telescoping bowel;" it's when peristalsis somehow goes wrong and the bowel begins to pull in on itself, essentially creating a kind of knot. Untreated, it is uniformly fatal.
Jude's first intussusception was treated laparoscopically. He went home the day after surgery.
The second time, after two air enemas failed, Jude had open bowel surgery on 5/4. Upon opening him, surgeons discovered a Meckel diverticulum (a congenital abnormality affecting 2% of population) that was the likely cause of both intussusceptions. He had this diverticulum removed. Although his initial post-op recovery was hard (he did not respond well to morphine and was in a lot of pain), after two days in the Progressive Care Unit he is now recovering at TX Childrens Hospital, 11th floor, room 36.
As of today, he was happy, laughing, and playing in the Child Life activity room. He is still attached to IV nutrition, but has been able to nurse and will attempt some solid foods (Cheerios) later this afternoon.
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