Lucy Ann's story of healing after colorectal surgery

When Lucy Ann was placed in her mother’s arms after her birth on November 23, 2018, there was an immediate connection. Macy LouVierre says Lucy looked perfect, and she and her husband, Marc, were in love with their new baby girl. 

It wasn’t until Lucy was swept off by the nurses to be bathed that her complicated health condition became obvious to all. Nurses discovered that Lucy was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition where her rectum does not connect to her anus. The result of this condition is that stool is prevented from passing out of the baby's rectum.  

Lucy was immediately transported to Children’s Hospital New Orleans hours after she was born, so she could be evaluated by the hospital’s Pediatric Surgery team.  

“At first, I was absolutely scared. I was worried for her, like any parent would be,” Macy said. “I’d never heard of the condition before. But we felt relief once we met Dr. Gray.” 

Pediatric surgeon, Fabienne Gray, MD, explained to the LouVierres, that repairing Lucy’s anorectal malformation would involve at least two surgeries, the first of which is called a colostomy.  

The family expressed their confidence in Lucy’s care team, especially Dr. Gray. “We love Dr. Gray. She has been so good with Lucy since she was born. She was very good at explaining the surgeries and told us how everything was going to go,” Macy said. “Most importantly, Dr. Gray was very confident in the outcome. She told us she thought the surgery would go really well and that Lucy would be OK afterward.” 

On November 26, 2018, three-day-old Lucy underwent her colostomy surgery. During the surgery, Dr. Gray connected Lucy’s large intestine to her abdominal wall allowing stool to drain into a colostomy bag. 

Lucy stayed in the Children’s Hospital New Orleans’ NICU for two weeks, recovering from the first surgery and giving parents Macy and Marc the opportunity to learn how to take care of Lucy’s colostomy, and provide her with proper nutrition since she was not able to eat at this time.  

The LouVierres were grateful for the exceptional care they received while in the NICU. “All the nurses really took care of Lucy so well,” Macy said “I wasn’t able to hold her yet because she was hooked up to monitors and there were so many tubes and wires. It was wonderful to be able to finally hold my baby. Kelly Waltz, Dr. Gray’s nurse, is so friendly and nice. She is very good with explaining medical things and is great about answering all our questions,” Macy said. “She even taught us how to change Lucy’s colostomy bag.” 

For most anorectal malformations, the repair of the malformation happens a few months after the colostomy surgery. However, Lucy’s case was more complicated due to her size; she was born, full term, at 4 pounds, 11 ounces. Doctors wanted her to gain weight before performing the next stage of the procedure.  

As Lucy grew over the next year, doctors were able to schedule the second surgery to repair her anorectal malformation in July 2020. During the second surgery, Dr. Gray successfully connected Lucy’s rectum to her anus. In September of that year, the colostomy was taken down. 

While some babies born with an anorectal malformation do well after surgical repair, most, especially those with complicated malformations like Lucy, have a problem with constipation. Macy treated Lucy’s constipation by giving her gummy laxatives and an enema every morning. 

The LouVierre family travels from their home each month to be seen at CHNOLA’s colorectal clinic. Macy said her family couldn’t ask for better care than what Lucy receives from her current physicians at the clinic, pediatric gastroenterologist, Elizabeth McDonough, MD, and pediatric urologist, Christopher Roth, MD.  

After Lucy’s colorectal surgery, she was finally able to get into a normal eating routine. She started with cereal and grew to love everything. Now at five-years-old, Lucy enjoys eating! She loves pizza and all Italian food, chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and all fruits.  

“Lucy is still small weighing just 30 pounds,” Mom said. “But she is an amazing kid. She loves playing with Barbies, playing outside, riding her bike, and going to the park. She also loves the zoo and playing with friends. She is in Pre-K and is doing really well.” 

Even more exciting, Lucy is looking forward to being a big sister! Macy and Marc are due with their second daughter, who will be named Winter, on October 3, 2024.  

In addition to wanting her to be happy and healthy, Mom has one modest hope for Lucy’s future. “My wish is that Lucy’s bathroom problems won’t be a thing for her anymore.” The LouVierres are profoundly grateful to the dedicated, multidisciplinary team at Children’s Hospital New Orleans for giving Lucy the opportunity to live a normal, healthy life. 

For more information about the gastroenterology and nutrition program at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, please visit: https://www.chnola.org/services/gastroenterology-hepatology-nutrition/