Thursday, May 6, 2010

Thank You Nurses at Methodist Children's SA!

Today is Nurse's Day, and there's been lots of celebrating the nursing staff here at Methodist Children's Hospital in San Antonio!  I have MUCH to be grateful for as I've been so very blessed by the wonderful care given at this hospital.  (I was born here, my mom has had several surgeries here (including open-heart surgery), both of my grandparents actually died in this hospital, my husband spent a week here when he broke his back and had internal bleeding, Chrissie has spent many days here (even prior to her surgery)...we go way back.)  Methodist Hospital has always been the very best hospital I've ever spent time in.  The nursing staff here makes a HUGE difference.  HUGE.  I didn't realize how big of a difference they make until we spent time at a different hospital in Austin when my husband first broke his back.  (That hospital was a HORRID experience.  Absolutely horrid.)  Anyway, I am so very grateful that God arranged for Chrissie's care to be given at Methodist Children's in SA.  It's THE BEST!  Happy Nurse's Day to all of the nurses who work so hard to save lives and give the best of care for their patients.  Please know that the patients and the parents appreciate your loving kindness and genuine compassion as you lovingly administer precise medication and wonderful care.  You are the ones who make the difference in a family's hospital experience because you're the ones dealing with the parents most of the time!  Thank you to all of the amazing nursing staff at Methodist Children's for saving Chrissie's life (especially you, Steven...the one who has just happened to be in Chrissie's room every time she's had a big episode/crash!).  We are so grateful for each of you!

This is Steven, who has been instrumental in saving Chrissie's life.  We're grateful for you and your compassionate heart, Steven!  Thank you!

In honor of Nurse's Day and with much appreciation for Chrissie's wonderful care here, some sweet moms from our church arranged to have a big lunch delivered to the nursing staff on the PICU floor today.  Papouli's Greek Grill donated and delivered a huge lunch of gyros and all the fixin's!  YUM!  Thank you so much Papouli's for your generous donation!!!  You blessed the nurses here today and let them know how much they're appreciated, and thank you to Karen, Brittany and Jennifer for arranging this blessing today, and thanks for the great outfits you blessed ME with today.  Fun!!!

Dr. Kupferschmid came back today (he's been gone for a week), so he stopped in to check on Chrissie.  It was a bit of a whirlwind visit, but he pulled out 2 of Chrissie's chest tubes (left 1 in on her right side because it is still draining too much fluid) and clipped her pacemaker lines while he was here.  (The pacemaker leads are still in her heart, but the external wires and unit were clipped and removed.)  Dr. Kupferscmid commented that  he'd be shocked if Chrissie were to be extubated within a week, and he had some concern about a rash that is on Chrissie's arm.  He ordered a culture to be done on the rash to see if it's shingles.  An echo (sonogram) was done of Chrissie's heart earlier, but I never heard the results.  (Dr. Porisch, I am counting the days until your return!!!)  I believe there was some concern that right sided pressures are higher than they would like or something like that.  Chrissie's chest x-rays are continuing to improve.  She's still on normal (conventional) ventilator settings using volume control (instead of pressure control) with oxygen levels set on the machine to 60% while Chrissie maintains oxygen sats in her blood of somewhere in the 90's most of the time.  Chrissie is resting comfortably as they begin to move toward oral pain medication and less IV meds.  She still gets really angry and frustrated here and there, but it's good to see our little warrior princess still fighting with all her might.  Chrissie got a new bed last night, one with air chambers that relieve pressure on her back and it keeps her skin dry.  The automatic rotating bed still isn't an option since she's still intubated and the tubes must be manually moved with each turn of Chrissie's body.  Chrissie hasn't had anymore fever, but she's still testing positive for MRSA.  They're thinking she'll have her MRI tomorrow.  All in all, she's doing remarkably well, and we're so grateful for the miraculous healing that God has graciously granted to our Chrissie.

God arranged for me to speak about the miracles in Chrissie's life on another radio show this morning, which will air tomorrow  (Friday) morning between 7-9AM.  You may listen online at KDRP radio station or if you're  in Dripping Springs, you may tune in to 99.9 FM. 

Thank you for continuing to lift Chrissie up in prayer.  We are grateful and oh so blessed!

This is a photo of Chrissie's rash that I took Tuesday, May 4.  It's much worse today (and only on her right arm), but I didn't take a picutre of it today, so I'm posting the old one because I'm too tired to get up and take a photo right now! :-)


Chrissie being transferred to her new hospital bed last night.


This is a list of the medications that Chrissie started out on!  She's down to about half of the original requirements!


Prayer changes things!  We have living proof!

Chrissie, Day 18 of her hospital stay.


13 comments:

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

Still PRAYING!!! Will pray more specifically for the rash as well. Praying to continue to hear more great news on the princess warrior for Christ!

Kevin and Krista said...

That is great you got to celebrate and appreciate the nurses who have served your family! God bless them.

Now here is a question. How does Chrissie manage to look so darn cute while she is in a partial coma and so ill? ;) God is good. Her little hair bows are a reminder of the sweet little girl in there. She is looking co much healthier than her pictures even just a few days ago. Amazing.

:) Krista

MoonDog said...

hang in there beautiful princess! the entire world is out here praying for you! You are one special girl!

Jodi said...

Praying for Sweet Chrissie!

Thinking of your whole family...

Matushka Anna said...

Still keeping you in my prayers. I'm glad she was moved to the air bed.

Lori said...

I just wanted to say that to ME anyway, Chrissie's color looks better then I've seen it in previous photos since her surgery! Thank You, Lord! I am adding that nasty looking rash as I pray for sweet Chrissie. I pray it's nothing indicative of infection!! I pray that God will cover EVERY INCH of Chrissie's body with the protection of Jesus' blood, that she will be cleansed of all illness and discomfort!
And a HUGE thank you as well to all the nurses and doctors and medical staff there that works soooo diligently on behalf of Princess Chrissie and all the other patients in their care! Also praying for a safe and speedy return for your Dr. Porisch!

Carrie & Rowan said...

Amen Momma! The nurses here are unbelievable! We loved Steven too (after Rowan's brain surgery in January), and every one of the other 100+ MCH nurses that have cared for Rowan over the past 3 years. Rowan's been in the NICU, then PIMC, over to Neuro/Surg, down to PICU and up to 4 Tower too...every children's wing of this hospital, and we could not be happier with the nursing staff each and every time. So glad you and your friends were able to bless some of them with some goodies today.

So good to finally meet you today too Lorraine! God has a plan and a reason in all of this, and for both of our children, and each of us Mommies...and it was nice of Him to allow our paths to cross today! And as I've said, I can't wait for Rowan and Chrissie to meet themselves someday, and to share their powerful stories. I was blessed to see the cross at her feet, and believe in what it says 100%.

God bless, Carrie & Rowan
...and call, text or email if you need anything. I am just a floor away...

Anonymous said...

I noticed that Chrissie's swollen face has gone down, yay! That rash is pretty nasty, but she still looks adorable with her pink hairbows! Miss you and love you, can't wait 'til tomorrow!
Mattie Patterson

trennia said...

bless her and your family..my family and I are praying.

Shelley said...

Oh Lorraine...it is so awesome to watch God work. I can only imagine from your vantage...right there beside this little princess. Oh...the stories you will have to tell Chrissie someday...of watching God work to bring her back to health...such miracles!!!
We are still praying. My girls still ask me to check for updates several times a day.
Blessings to you dear sister in Christ!!!

living4him5 said...

God bless you all. Chrissie is such an angel.

PRAYING!

Amy

Ang said...

Dear Lorraine~
I haven't been able to check in as we've moved and have been w/o internet for a week. My children, ages 8 and 10 have talked about Chrissie and wondered how she's doing over the last week. We were so excited to check in last night and read about her progress...Wow! We'll keep praying for the rash and overall healing, too.

Something struck me last night and then again this morning as I started my devotions. You trust. I mean really trust with all your heart. It's been my prayer over the last year that I would love and trust the Lord with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength. Truth be told, I waver like a flag in the wind. Ugh. I wanted to let you know you've been a guide for me over these last few days. A guide to show me what it really means to trust. I thought of you and your family when I read these two verses today in my devotional:
Starting at Genesis 50:19, "But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in a place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

And from the 23rd Psalm, verse 4, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me."

Many blessings on your day...

Keeping shining His light for the world to see.

Angie (central Pennsylvania)

bbmomof2boys said...

I've been following your journey with Chrissy for a bit now and all I can say is GOD IS GOOD! And your faith? Wow! what an inspiration you and your family are. Thank your for that post the other day where the reader asked how you can afford to do what you do. Just ask God, he will take care of us and all our needs if we have faith.

Praying for sweet Chrissie. My God continue to do his work through her and you.

Hugs,
Carla

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