Scoping Out the Possibilities

We finally have some answers on why Jack's been hurting. Well, sort of. Science isn't an exact science, is it?

Jack had an endoscopy and colonoscopy done this morning. [sidenote: the prep for these tests was NOT fun] The doctor said that there are no abnormalities or obstructions. Which is good news!

IT'S ABOUT TO GET GRAPHIC: QUIT READING NOW IF POO TALK MAKES YOU QUEASY

The doctor did say, however, that as soon as Jack was knocked out for the procedures, he let go of so much urine and stool that they probably cleaned up a quart. Wow. All that has been sitting inside Jack for a long time. No wonder he was in dire straits with gas pain!

We're not sure how all this began. Jack could have been acting like a "bonehead" (the doctor's term, not mine) and decided to hold his stool, which is the likely culprit. Or, his sensory integration issues could mean that the nerves in his intestines and colon weren't transmitting to his brain correctly and subsequently, the muscles in those organs weren't working properly to expel the stool out of his body. Regardless of how this all started, this problem remains: his colon is dilated way out of whack (from storing stool in it).

Next steps?

1. possibly doing an MRI on his lower back to make sure there isn't a pinched nerve or something similar that is causing his intestines and colon muscles to function properly.
2. seeing a colon mobility specialist (? i think i got that name right) regarding getting his colon back to normal size and elasticity
3. seeing a neurologist again regarding his brain's ability to communicate with the nerves in his intestines & colon.

For now, Jack is completely cleaned out and shouldn't be having any cramping for a while. Enemas will be a regular (pun intended) part of our routine for the coming weeks. Going to try and not let him get so clogged up. His diet will continue to be limited (no dairy and no fructose corn syrup, which is in EVERYTHING). Continued prayer is needed to figure out how we can help Jack get back to "normal". This little bubba has been through enough!