Monday, May 10, 2010

Another Monday Update

We are still in the same room, on hold for now.  They're trying to keep Chrissie in this room if at all possible, so they're waiting on Dr. Kupferschmid's request of what he wants to do.  I call Chrissie's room the Princess' Suite.  It's the largest PICU room.  (It's actually Room 1 and 2, but they only allow one patient/bed in here, so it's the size of 2 big rooms, but only used as 1 room.)  I've taken down all of Chrissie's special room decor (lots of sweet pictures colored by kids, most of whom we've never even met, along with lots of Scriptures and photos that our kiddos/family sent for Chrissie.)  It's bare in here now with lots of hospital blue and white.  Looking forward to redecorating...whether it be this room or another one, we've gotta have some rays of Hope creating smiles in this room!  The colorful pictures drawn by sweet children are reminders of His love, His hope, His mercy.  There are lots of colored crosses and hearts that serve as reminders of the hope we have in Jesus.  I'm ready to have those tokens of His love surrounding us again...hopefully very soon.  Word is that Chrissie is remaining in her Princess Suite, and the other patient is being assigned anotehr room.  Please be in prayer for Dr. Kupferschmid's patient.  The patient is still in surgery, so it reminds me of a "Chrissie" surgery.  An all day event.  I heard the patient came to the PICU once, but had to return to OR, just like Chrissie.  It's hard to be the parent in that situation, but I think it's equally hard for the cardiac surgeon and team members.  Please keep them all in your prayers.

Chrissie is doing well.  She has not had any more signs of bleeding (meaning none is coming up her breathing tube), but they believe she's still having pulmonary hemorrhaging.  The culture of the lung fluid came back showing lots of white blood cells, meaning they're trying hard to fight off the infection.  The culture also shows that it is "Gram Positive Cocci", but they're now growing it out to determine exactly what type of cocci it is.  It could be Staph cocci or Strep cocci or a variety of other types.  None of these sound "good" to me, but once they are able to determine the type of cocci, they'll be able to tailor the antibiotic to the cocci.  Please be praying that the cocci will not be an antibiotic-resistant strand!

Chrissie had her arterial line and central venous catheters removed today.  The "art" line or "A" line was in her wrist, and it was basically like having several big IV's in one spot.  The A line was like a small catheter than ran down an artery from the wrist all the way to the heart.  They replaced that line with a PICC line, which is inserted in a large vein in the upper arm, just above the interior portion of where Chrissie bends her elbow, and also runs (tunnels) to the heart.  The central venous catheter that was in her neck allowed meds to be run quickly and directly to Chrissie's heart.  Since her heart is doing so well, they were able to take that catheter out. 

I am going to publish this now because we've gotten interrupted numerous times.  I had planned to add photos, but I don't have time right now.

Thanks for praying!

8 comments:

Chandra said...

How nice that some of the lines/tubes/stiches are coming out.
Praying that will make the princess happier when she is able to come off the paralysing drugs again.
Pray alot for healing of those lungs!!

The Spicer Family said...

I was out yesterday at 1 p.m. (CST), listening to my iPod when Chrissie's song shuffled on...I started praying for her immediately, particularly the irritation in her trachea and was just covered from head to toe in goosebumps and started crying. I don't know what was going on with her but it seemed clear the Lord was listening and it was His good will to have someone praying for Chrissie right then.

Just thought you might want to know...

Jill Spicer from RR

Family Rebuilding the Wall said...

Continuing to pray for Chrissie...and also praying for Ethan and the new patient in PICU. You are there "for such a time as this"...all your prayers, your faith, your testimony all shine so bright in that PICU hall. You have been trusted with much, and I'm lifting you up in prayer as you continue to please your Heavenly Father with your humility and faith.

Kat said...

Thoughts and prayers coming your way! Praying for the infection to be minor (in the big picture) and to be easily treatable. She is one warrior princess!!! Picturing her with her pink shield and bling sword....

wvamom said...

Praying for Chrissy's lungs to heal quickly, and also for Ethan and the new patient in surgery. Carolyn

Laurie said...

Sending you some love in Jesus - you are all an incredible inspiration to walk in the joy of the Lord, through it ALL! You don't know me but I heard about your precious family from my friend, who has recently adopted a little girl. Please know I'm praying for Chrissie and for you all right now! Praying for healing and for you to stand strong in faith of the Lord Jesus. God bless you ~ Laurie

ArtworkByRuth said...

praying for both the children and the doctors. I cannot imagine how hard they work every day to correct the problems they face!

Elizabeth said...

We are praying for Chrissie and your family everyday, and following the daily updates. Just a year ago our sweetie Charity was in a very similar situation. I remember like it was yesterday, yet it seems a lifetime ago. God is a miracle worker and we will continue to pray for the miracles He is daily providing for you!!
The Goulding Family

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