AH>           Ah.  Is it possible the cell migration might continue, in some   
   AH> cases at least, outside the womb??  I'm curious re this detail because   
   AH> Nora   
   AH> was born with a couple of heart defects... perhaps caused by delayed   
   AH> development and/or by her appearing a little sooner than the doctors   
   AH> expected.  These were things many children outgrow by the age of three or   
   AH> four, as did she.  And as long as the symptoms are fairly minor surgery   
   AH> is   
   AH> not an option unless tincture of time has established that the problem   
   AH> won't   
   AH> go away without such intervention.  :-)   
      
   Sadly, the Ganglion cells are formed and migrate while in the very early   
   stages of development in the womb.  It would be nice if they would migrate   
   down that this point, but that isn't something that happens unfortunately.   
      
   They call the area with no Ganglion cells "non-functional bowel".     
      
   AH> I see you're well informed about your son's condition & I heartily   
   AH> approve.  :-)   
      
   I have learned more about bowels than I ever thought I would ever need to know.   
      
   AH>           And the shorter the recovery period, I imagine....  :-)   
      
   Yes - but we are told the hospital stay is typically no longer than 5 days.   
      
   AH>           Whew!  That's a great relief AFAIC.  Years ago my mother had a   
   AH> chunk of bowel removed for a different reason.  I don't know how much was   
   AH> removed in her case because she & my father generally kept quiet about   
   AH> their   
   AH> ailments.  I knew the diagnosis because she asked me to look it up for   
   AH> her,   
   AH> but I concluded she'd had surgery when I noticed later... along with   
   AH> other   
   AH> factors... that she seemed reluctant to venture far from her usual   
   AH> stomping   
   AH> grounds *where she was acquainted with various washrooms she could get to   
   AH> on   
   AH> short notice*.   
      
   It seems to depend on what area of the bowel was removed.  The descending   
   colon is mainly for "storage".  It doesn't have much other function.    
   Basically, you would have less storage and would have to go more often, but   
   the body normally adjusts to this from what I understand.     
      
   We really don't have any other option, because enemas every 3 days isn't a   
   good option.   
      
   AH>           I am glad to hear such difficulties are unlikely in your son's   
   AH> case, since the affected area is 12" or less.  If I were in your shoes,   
   AH> however, I'd also want some margin for error and/or for caution on the   
   AH> surgeon's part.  ;-)   
      
   It is going to be stressful.  I have checked with every pediatric surgeon in   
   the state and a few surrounding states.  We have selected the most recommended   
   one around with lots of experience, so I just have to trust his ability and   
   knowledge.     
      
   Our main challenge right now is getting in touch with him since he is very   
   busy.  It will certainly be incredible for our son not to have to deal with   
   the "work-around" that we have in place right now to keep him well.   
      
   The plan right now is for the operation to take place this summer.   
      
   - Mark   
      
   --- WWIVToss v.1.50    
    * Origin:  http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (1:261/1304.0)