August 5, 2009

The day from down under......

We arrived this am on the unit to see that they were preparing for extubation. She did well through the night on the anesthetic medication and was sleeping well. When the doctors rounded, they stated that she had developed a pleural effusion (fluid pocket on the lungs) in her right upper lobe. They decided to place a pigtail tube in to drain the fluid off. Also, they did another echo this am which showed that her right ventricle pressure was no worse, but no better either. Her blood level was a little low, so they wanted to give her blood. So, the plan was to extubate at 11am, get another chest xray to see if the fluid improves are the pigtail placement. We stepped out to breakfast and when we came back they stated that she blew both of her iv's, so they were trying to obtain a new one for the blood. No luck. They also finished putting the pigtail in and was able to obtain almost 100 cc of fluid off her lung. This was good. She sounded better. They had to stop her Propinol medicine to keep her sedated because her iv went bad. So, they had to run her blood through her central line for now. She started to wake up, so they preceded with extubation. This is when the day went to pot.

Almost immediately upon extubation, she began to struggle. Her heart rate shot to 190, her blood pressures went really high, her oxygen saturation dropped to the 50's. Her body quickly became dusky, then blue. They began her on high flow oxygen with the Nitric at 10L. They obtained a blood gas in the meantime. After about 15 minutes of pushing medicines and trying to help her improve, she became more pink and her levels were starting to come down. The attending came in to see how she was progressing. Since her sat's were still running in the 70's and her blood pressure was up, he wanted to raise her Nitric Oxide from 5 to 20 to see if she would respond by having the vessels in her lungs relaxed. The blood gases came back and her blood in the oxygen level was 34, which is really low. He said that she is blue, her lips are purple, he is concerned. He chose at this point to re-intubate her since she was not stable and needed assistance. He called Dr. Eghtesady to discuss her situation and decide the plan. He obtained an echo during that time, which showed that her right ventricle is big and unhappy. He said that she is shunting her blood (non oxygenated) over her hole in the top of heart and out to her lungs, which is why her saturation levels are low. He said that her right ventricle is not pumping correctly and blood is not going down into it. So, after speaking with Dr. E he said that they are going to speak with Dr. Beekman (her cardiologist) and decided the next step-going to the cath lab today or tomorrow. They are not sure what is the cause of the pressures going up-they are checking to see if it is possible as vessel might have narrowed and can be stretched. We will see. We are waiting now to see when this will be. They have placed her back on all of her drips and as needed dose of narcotics and sedatives-Morphine, Ativan, Versed, and Fentnyl. They have put her back on the Epinephrine. They are trying to keep her well sedated, which is slightly working. They placed her on a paralytic medicine as well to keep her still. Her pressures are still going up some and her oxygen will drop, but then everything evens out. So, hopefully she will relax for the next little bit. They are coming at 5pm to place a PICC line in so that they can have a continuous line in her for her medicines. Since she has trouble keeping her iv's in. Her most recent chest xray came back after extubation which showed that her upper lobes were hazy and her lower showed no blood getting to them. The one prior to extubation looked great and clear.

Right now Justin and I are very overwhelmed. It is very scary to see her in this position. We are just trying to be here for each other and hope that she gets better. We hope to hear good news once the cath is done, but we will see. Please Please keep thinking and praying for our baby girl. We know that she is a fighter, but sometimes God has other plans. We will stay positive and hope for the best. Thanks to everyone for the love, support and prayers. We will let everyone know when her cath will be and keep everyone posted on her status.

Love, Jenny Justin and Jenna

25 comments:

  1. Jenny, Justin, and Jenna,

    We are praying for all of you during this difficult time. We having been reading Jenna's blog and we really appreciate the updates. Try to stay positive and strong and we will continue praying.

    Lori, Justin, and Tristan

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  2. I love you Jenna, Uncle Stu

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  3. We love you! Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Thank you for keeping us informed!
    Love,
    Mike and Linda

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  4. Jenny and Justin,You dont know me, but I work with Linda Adams.She has shared with me your beautiful daughters story and asked me several weeks ago to remember her in prayer.I, along with my church and anyone and everyone that I know that prays, have been praying for her and for you. I just wanted to say hi to you and to tell you how Jenna has touched my heart, though I have never met her. She is a beautiful gift from God, as you well know.I just want to encourage you to keep your faith as stong as you can,which I am sure cannot be easy right now. God has performed numerous miracles in my own body and those of my loved ones, so I have seen His wondrous works and He is still performing miracles every day.I truly believe He has one for Jenna,too.I will be continuing to pray for you all, and Linda is keeping me informed of each update that she gets.If there is somehow anything at all I could possibly do, please let me know.
    Trusting in Jesus,
    Tammy Thompson

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  5. Dad and I are ready to hit the road at any time.

    We love all of you dearly,

    Momma/Meme

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  6. Jenny, Justin, and Jenna,
    Please know that we are praying for Jenna's health... Jenna is a strong little girl, but the two of you are strong as well...It can't be easy watching your little girl go through all of this...Hang in there and try to get some rest...

    Love,
    Brent, Lisa, and Slaton

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  7. Oh, Jenny and Justin, I am praying so hard, all day I am thinking of all of you. Gods hands are on all of you. Just stay strong and try to take care of each other. I am praying that God has his arms wrapped around Jenna and both of you, and that you will be able to feel his love and strong arms around you. Love Marlene

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  8. Big hugs and prayers right now. Lord, Please keep Jenna safe and allow her body to heal so she can continue to bless our lives. Give Justin and Jenni the strength they need to get through this difficult time as well as the knowledge to the doctors that are working with Jenna. In Jesus name we pray, Amen We love you guys, stay strong!

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  9. We love you all very much. Many prayers for you all. Love, Kyle Kerri Jacob and Elizabeth

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  10. I just keep saying a prayer that Jenna will make it through this tough day and that tomorrow will be better - for her, for you all. Praying through my tears for you guys, trusting in God to see you through and knowing He will. God bless little Jenna and mom and dad. Love and Prayers, Michelle (McKenzie)Johnson and John Johnson

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  11. We don't know you yet, but you are very important to Sammi Jo so that makes you important to us. We are sending many prayers your way.

    Love,
    Jennifer & Floyd Keeney

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  12. Jenny and Justin,

    Hi, I am friends with Stacie and Mike and I just wanted to let you know that I have been following Jenna's story and you ALL are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that God will wrap his arms around sweet little Jenna and that he will carry you ALL through this tough time. I am going to spread Jenna's story to everyone I know! Hang in there!

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  13. Dear Lord,
    I lift this family up to you. You are omnipresent and I believe you are with Jenna right now. Lord, please touch all who come in contact with her. You know all of her needs. Please heal her body. I lift up her parents and extended family/friends to you. Please give them strength and courage as they walk this journey. I claim victory in Jesus' name. Amen.

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  14. I'm sorry to hear about this difficult time in your life. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jenna is precious. I don't believe the Lord would take precious things, but I will keep praying for a miracle to happen.

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  15. Know that you, Justin, and Jenna are in our thoughts and prayers! Jenna is a precious gift from God and I know He will heal her and give you strength. If we can do anything, let us know.

    Carrie & Adam Riddle

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  16. Hey, this is Lesa(Brent's Mom) My thoughts are with you all, every second of every day that you are going though this. Be strong & stand by one another. Jenna will be come through this. She got enough of her GrandmaDee in her. I love you guys & if you need anything.........just call me.

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  17. Jenny and Justin,
    You don't know us but we work with your Aunt, Linda Adams. She has shown us all the pictures she has taken of Jenna and told me so many stories about how funny and sweet she is. Our daughter, Addyson, is a month younger than your Jenna. So to hear what you are going through, and what Jenna is enduring, simply tears at our souls. I cannot imagine to know how you feel or what you are going through, but please know we are praying for you every single day. I have placed Jenna's name on the prayer list at my Mom's church as well and asked everyone I know to pray for Jenna too. We have never met her, or you, but we love all of you just the same. We will continue to pray for Miss Jenna and your family every day. May God bless and keep all of you. Love and prayers....Stacy, Keith and Addyson Day.

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  18. Reading your story of this beautiful little girl brings tears to my eyes! I cannot imagine how you as parents are feeling. My daughter was born with a congenital heart defect, but nothing this severe. She has not had to have any surgery as of yet, thank god! I truley do believe in miracles and we serve and awesome God. I will ask everyone that I know to pray for Jenna and all of your family. I know that there is power in prayer, so keep your faith and know that Jenna is being prayed for continusely. God Bless!

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  19. Jenny and Justin,

    I have been following Jenna status thanks to a posting on facebook by Nicole Haynes and I just wanted to say I have been keeping you and Jenna in my thoughts and prayers. I have sent a link to my best friend in NC so she can add Jenna to her prayer list at her church. Her strength, as well as yours amazes me and gives me faith she will rise above this difficult time. We have all grown to love her though we have never met her. God Bless you all!

    Tisha Runions

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  20. Dear Jenna, Jenny, and Justin,
    You have all been on our church's prayer list since Jenna's birth day. We have also been sending urgent requests on the chain during all this. It is okay to feel scared and upset through all this. It has been a rough way. Remember God knows everything and He has something in all this for you. We may not know or understand, but He does. Put your trust in God and fully rely on him. He is the Great One Divine and will help you through all this. Keep your thoughts positive. Know that you are loved on earth and in heaven. There are continuous prayers from your family and friends and even those who don't really know you, but they know what God can do. You are loved!
    Love,
    Jo, Don, and Seth Burns

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  21. Lord I want to thank you for the healing of Jenna's body from head to toe, and thank you for peace for Jenny and JUstin. In Jesus name Amen
    Jenny and Justin hang in there Jenna is a fighter. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.Love ya Robin

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  22. Our little angels are so precious. But they are more precious to Jesus, our LORD, who loves them even more than we do. I know you have put her in God's hands. Her name is written there. Now just Trust HIM. I am praying and trusting in God for your little Jenna.

    Regina
    Poca WV/grandmother of 5

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  23. Jenna is a beautiful little girl. You don't know me but a friend has asked for prayer for you guys. I felt compelled to read about Jenna. I am so sorry for all that your little girl and you have had to endure. May God hold you all in his arms right now. Little Jenna and you will be in my prayers. God Bless!

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  24. Justin and Jenny, Our thoughts and prayers are there with you. Keep the faith and know that Jenna is getting the very best care and has the most LOVE surrounding her.
    The Meadows on Winfield Road
    Betsy, John & Reba, Jonathan and Jamie

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  25. Jenny, your baby girl is so beautiful! She looks just like you. You must be so proud of her. I will pray for her, you and Justin.

    Karen Webb

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