August 10, 2009

Nice and quiet....

Today was a good day. A new attending doctor came on Dr. Lorts. This was the first time that we met her, but she is very familiar with Jenna as she has met her in prior admissions for her heart caths. The plan for Jenna today was to just relax, not "rock her boat" too much and keep her calm and comfortable. She did not have any episodes of issues with her blood pressure/heartrate/oxygen except really early this morning, but this was easily controlled. The attending doctor is concerned it is possible she is over sedated, so she is wanting to stop her Dex drip which has been keeping her pretty much paralyzed. She may start her on an Ativan drip if needed. She is still going to remain on the narcotic drips and as needed medicines-fentanyl, morphine, methadone, and ativan. She does not feel that she will wake up once she stops the dex drip, but we will see. If needed, the fellow Mark stated that they will begin her back on the Dex, they just do not like to keep them on it for an extended period of time. Our hope is that Jenna will do fine once stopped, but at the same time-I want to say. "I told you so" because if Jenna is not in the mood or ready, she will do it her way. So, we will see. I told the nurse this evening that I think Jenna was being easy on the new attending today, not doing anything crazy and within a couple of days will show her true colors! Haha. So, they had stopped her diuretic drip so, she had began to slightly puff up throughout the day. So this evening, she was way positive on her intake and output fluids, so they gave her some lasix. Hopefully this will help. They are hoping to have the Nitric Oxide off by the morning and then stop the Bucentin as well. So once these are stopped then the next step is off the ventilator. The hope is to be off the vent by Friday. Dr. Eghtesady came in at rounds and stated he would like to have her off by then, but we just have to take it day by day. He said that "little steps for Jenna are big steps" So we have to take our time. He said that this is going to be a long process and would not be surprised if she was extubated and had to be re-extubated. He said that he has to give her a chance to see if she can be off the vent, she cannot be on it forever. Her white count has gone from 17 on Saturday to 33 today. The cultures are still not showing any growth. So, they are keeping her on an antibiotic regiman just in case. They have stopped her feeds still for now because she has not pooped in 12 days, so her food is not digesting and just sitting there. They have began a regiman to help, so we will see. We are still going to try and hold on doing another cath for her arteries because since she just had reconstruction on them recently. They are pretty confident that the incident yesterday morning was due to a blood clot formed in her right stent in her lung. During her first surgery she had bled a lot and was oozing quite a bit, so to be safe he had not placed her on a blood thinner afterwards so she would bleed internally. He said during the surgery her vessels in her lungs were clear. However, when he went to surgery this past Friday with her, he noticed that in her lung vessels there were little black specs, which could indicate a clot could form. So she is still on a Heparin drip. So, we are hopefully that she will start moving forward soon, today she did not require any as needed medicines in addition to her drips. So this is a good sign. Dr. E. stated that he feels like she takes two steps forward and then one step back. He is optmistic that she will begin moving forward, it will just take some time. So, this evening everything has been calm, nothing crazy and we hope that it stays that way. We will keep everyone posted on her status tomorrow and am sorry it took so long to do an update. Thanks to everyone for the continues thoughts and prayers. We could not ask for such a wonderful support system. Talk to everyone soon.

Jenny

BTW- address for the Ronald McDonald House is Ronald McDonald House c/o Jennifer and Justin Meadows 350 Erkenbrecher Avenue Rm. 27 Cincinnati, Oh 45229 Just in case anyone would like to send any mail

Thanks to everyone who has sent cards and gifts to us and Jenna during this time! It is great!

10 comments:

  1. Jenny & Justin---you are amazing parents and are so strong. I really admire how you hang in there and push through this difficult time. Your daughter is beautiful and always remember that God is in control of all this. He gives you the strength to get through each day.

    Jenna---you are such a strong little girl! You are in my prayers multiple times each day. People at my church now follow your blog and pray for you as well. You are a true miracle!

    Hope Walker

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  2. Please let me know if there is anything specific you guys need. I can't imagine what you're going through, let alone being away from home for such an extended period of time. Thank you so much for the wonderful updates you post. I'm not going to lie; I've been waiting on pins and needles to hear today's news! You are in my constant thoughts and prayers.

    God bless you all!!!

    Alicia Ervin Alaniz

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  3. Jenny and Justin,

    We are so happy to hear that Jenna had a good day and that she is staying strong. I am sure the both of you were relieved and thrilled to have a calm and quiet day after the previous day. We will continue to keep you all in our thoughts and we will pray that Jenna continues to move in the right direction. She sure is a fighter!! Continue to stay strong and positive. Lots of hugs sent your way.

    Your Friends,
    Lori, Justin, and Tristan

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  4. I thank God for a better report. I pray daily for all of you and the hospital staff too. Jerri Gibson (Linda's friend).

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  5. We are all thinking about you guys. Hope you have a good day. Good luck coming off the nitric.

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  6. I was thrilled to see the comments option back this morning!!!! I have missed sending messages that make us feel connected to you! We continue to pray for Jenna and for the strength that you and Justin need. Take care and know we are with you in thought and prayers. So very thankful to hear about her day!
    Love,
    Mike and Linda

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  7. Hey Mommy and Daddy & Angel,
    Your spirits are very warming and loving. Jenna I wanted you to know that your parents are the best. You have people and your family that cares so much. I just wanted you to know that your the sunshine in our hearts.

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  8. Hey there....Just thinking about you guys and our angel baby girl. One of my favortie verses...."Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." I Peter 5:7
    Love, Aunt Missy

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  9. I have been reading daily as I have prayed. I hope that things keep looking up.
    Phillipians 4:13 has gotten me through many trials. Roberta Wilson

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  10. I want you to know my heart goes out to you. My grandson was born on july 21 and also has heart defects and also has no spleen.He has been in the ped.icu at albany med since his birth and is going to have the first of many surgeries tomorrow. Our whole family is scared to death about what may happen;It is in the hands of the lord. My daughter and her husband are staying at the ronald mcdonald house in albany and they are just great!!!Best of luck to you and your little one ;You are all in my prayers. She is absolutely beautiful and I'm sure she will be okay;It is amazing what they can accomplish today in the medical field. Be blessed,Dellie

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