They also drained 3 liters of liquid from her abdomen which will hopefully help dissipate some of the ascites pain. 

My mom will stay in the hospital for a few more days, as she has an E. Coli blood infection (likely caused by the bile backup). The cultures from her surgery are still growing in the microbiology lab.  They will help determine what the exact infection is so that she can go home with a 6 week regiment of IV antibiotics. She went through this same at-home antibiotic routine in Nov 2019.  We are excited for her to get out of the hospital to heal at home where it is more safe, quiet, and calming. Especially since she can’t have visitors in the hospital due to covid. 

The newest hurdle this time around is that she also has an abscess near her bile ducts. This means her current stents will likely become occluded more quickly than before as it moves and hopefully shrinks. Hence, another stent replacement will likely be needed again in the coming weeks. 

With so many hospitals around the country at capacity with covid patients right now we remain so grateful that she is able to be in a hospital, in a single room, and receiving great medical care. 

A huge thanks to all of you who are medical workers and on the front lines during this unprecedented time. 

While there is so much out of our control, we remain focused on what we can control: being kind and being understanding of others. 

Sending big hugs with love to you all.