Friday, May 7, 2010

Lungs, etc.

Thank you for praying for Chrissie's lungs!  The bleeding is being controlled now with the ventilator settings turned up higher.  The x-ray looks OK.  The way the bleeding was "discovered" was through an episode of suctioning with bagging.  This means that because Chrissie's oxygen sats had been lower than her normal (in the 70's this morning), and the doctor could hear some new wheezing in Chrissie's lungs, the doctor decided it would be beneficial to take the ventilator off of Chrissie's breathing tube temporarily and then "bag" her (stick a bag of oxygen onto the breathing tube and manually push puffs of oxygen into the lungs).  This would enable them to do a different type of suctioning (more invasive and aggressive) to see if they could get anything out of Chrissie's lungs that might be causing the wheezing and lower oxygen sats.

Well, the second time they suctioned her, a TON of blood just started pouring through the suction hose (vacuum) and filling up a container on the wall that holds all of the fluid that gets suctioned out.  The RT and nurse hollered for the doctor, who then said to take the bag off and reconnect the ventilator and stop suctioning.  I think the thought was that if they kept suctioning while bagged, it would continue to irrate/aggravate whatever was causing the bleeding.  So, they turned up the ventilator settings to help decrease irritation and aggravation, and now they're watching things.  They did a chest x-ray that doesn't appear to indicate internal bleeding in the lungs, so they're thinking that perhaps the suction tube knocked something loose or irritated something (perhaps a clot somewhere) that caused the bleeding.  (She had a very small episode of bleeding Wednesday...remember when Chrissie bit the nurse's glove and he had to stick a plastic probe in her mouth to get her to unclamp?!?)  So, this might be all related, but maybe not.  Kind of a wait and watch game right now.  Keep praying for total healing of Chrissie's lungs; they're still very sick.

The radiologist decided he would allow the MRI for Chrissie, but I'm not sure they're going to let her go with the bleeding issue that's being watched now.  I prefer that if they are going to do the MRI, that they atleast wait until next week when she's more stable.  I will voice my opinion and desire.  There's probably a consent form that I would have to sign, so that may be my opportunity to decline this testing at this time.  My feelings are that the MRI isn't going to change what they do between now and next week.  She's still sedated and unable to have any neurological therapies at this time, so I don't understand the rush on the MRI other than the curiosity of the staff.  Maybe there's something I don't know.  Oh well.  Pray for God's will to be done regardless of what I say or what the staff says.  God's got this!

Thanks for praying!

15 comments:

texaslauren77 said...

Go with your gut and voice your concerns on the MRI. Given how we all know how the Princess feels about "peas under her mattress," if there's risk and possibility of bad side effects from the pacemaker leads, I'd just as soon hold off on the whole thing until later when she's more stable. But, ask the doctors why they are in such a hurry and if there is a medical need to do it right away...if so, then I guess it will be time to reconsider. God will keep her safe and tell you what you need to do for her. Chrissie, you, and your family remain in my prayers!

Wendi Taylor said...

My gut feeling is... you are right to be skeptical of the rush for the MRI. I won't elaborate, because I don't want to voice negative thoughts, but I think you are correct in not wanting to do it too soon.

Katie said...

Praying that Chrissie continues to progress and heal. So sorry to hear about another bleeding episode. As far as the MRI, could it be that they thing she has blood clots, or air pockets in her brain? I do know that those are sometimes concerns when children have been on ECMO and had open heart surgeries. I would ask what they are looking for with an MRI.

Sara and Eric said...

Not a day goes by without checking in on Chrissie. Still fasting from sweets until the "sweet" wakes up! Your Q&A was interesting. Many of us probably have the same questions. A few I have are ... will Chrissie "wake up" when they're able to take the ventilator off? Or will she wake up on her own? Or do they wean her from the sedation drugs to wake her up? Overall, are the medical personnel pleased with her progress? And you ... do you spend your days in the recliner next to her bed with your computer? Who is doing all the "mom" stuff back home (cleaning, shopping, buying supplies, ordering Sawyer's food, laundry, etc.). Just wondering how your family is managing? Your strength is amazing! Know we continue to hold Chrissie and your family in prayer. Sara, Eric, Nils & Karina

Brenna K said...

Yes, ask what they are looking for with an MRI. Go with what God is whispering in your ear! If it isn't medically necessary at this point...what's the point? You'll love her no matter what!

Lori said...

Continuing to pray for sweet Princess Chrissie, that the Lord work His miraculous healing on her lungs and her entire body... That His healing hand continue to be upon her, carrying her when necessary, giving her strength to keep "bossing" those naughty lungs into obedience! Keep fighting, sweet Chrissie. You ARE going to dance your way out of that hospital when God's time is right! Praying for your continued strength as well, Lorraine and family. Hugs and prayers, Lori

Blogging Friend said...

I am with you, why is there a rush to do the MRI now. It is not like it will most likely make a difference in treatment whether they do it today or next week. I think if you voice your concerns especially with the bleeding that they will say it must be done.

Also suctioning a lot can cause bleeding at times. One thing if they are not already doing it, that will help the bleeding is using ICE COLD Saline (those little tubes of liquid they put in her tube to suction her). What they need to do it put the tubes of saline (unopened of course) in a bowl of ice cold water and then when they suction her they can use the cold saline. It will help stop the bleeding.
You might ask them about it and see what they say.

Hang in there. Some days are very hard I know but she really has come a long way.

Love,
Sheila

Kat said...

Maybe the bleeding was a clot that needed to come out for Chrissie's complete healing....

With the MRI...whatever God gives you peace about. Chrissie is so obviously a giant miracle from God that God's hand is surrounding her...whether in the MRI or not.

Praying....

Melanie said...

I have been praying for CHrissie ever since I started following your blog. I akways pray on my way to work and today I sudenly felt led to pray over her lungs at 6 am on the way to work. I know I am not the only one praying but when I read your post it just gave me goose bumps. I know that God is looking out for Chrissie and that the Holy Spirit is leading the prayers for her. I am amazed at your strength and courage during such a trying time. Stay Strong.
Still Praying
Melanie

Stephanie said...

They may be looking to see if there is pressure, clots or damage to parts of the brain that control things like breathing, etc. If they say they are not worried about that, then I would definately push for NOT doing the MRI right away. Why borrow trouble?

One other thing, I am not sure what meds they put her on, but if the shingles meds do not do the trick..please ask them about putting her on Zovirax or Acyclovire (same thing - one is th generic name although I am not sure the 2nd is spelled correctly). This is actually a medicine that they give people to treat herpes outbreaks. Chicken pox/shingles is a form of herpes virus. anyway, I have no immunity to the chicken pox virus in any form (genetic issue). Everytime I am exposed (or my son) we are given this drug. It won't cure the virus, but it will make it go away faster and hurt less. I am thinking it is a little different than the meds they give to directly treat shingles, so maybe they can combine the two without overwhelming her and get those gone ASAP. I think they make this in a creme as well - so maybe that would help the pain of the shingles. Poor thing - has she had chicken pox that you know of?

Still praying for all of you.

Hugs!
Steph and Christopher

Lacey said...

Bag and suctioning is just a great way to break up that mucous in her lungs. Maybe they just overdid it a little. I'm so glad that she's doing so much better, yipee!!

Jennie said...

Lorraine - Voice your opinion about the MRI. I don't think you have to sign a consent for inpatient procedures unless it's invasive (we just got Micah out of the hospital and I did not sign individual consent forms for procedures... he didn't have an MRI but he did have CT's).

Jodi said...

Praying for sweet Chrissie!

To Love Endlessly said...

wow, Chrissie has been through the ringer. I'm just now catching up on your posts, but I will start praying for your sweet girl and for the family. This has to be so stressful on everyone.

Anonymous said...

Are the doctors going to check for brain function? Bless her heart she has been though so much; that would be one of the first things I would have tested - if she is concerned "brian dead". I realize nobody what's to think about this, but it's been on my heart? I pray that God's will be done.

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