August 28, 2009

We are off the ventilator!!!!

Hey everyone,

Today has been a very good day for Miss Jenna. This morning we came in and they had already stopped the propophol medication and she was beginning to wake up-it only took about 10 minutes. She was still a bit groggy and her blood gases were not phenomenol, so they decided to wait a little bit before pulling the tube out. During this time, she was somewhat "junky" sounding in her lungs, so they suctioned her and encouraged her to cough to help move around the secretions. This seemed to go well and Jenna began to wake up a lot more and started to cough well, so they felt that she was ready. I was nervous and I think Daddy was a little too, hoping that things would go well. So, some time between 10 and 10:30am they pulled the breathing tube out. They transitioned her straight to the bipap machine, and she did great! Her oxygen saturation levels only dipped into the 80's which is great for her. The transition was good, which is a first for babygirl when coming off of the tube. During the time of getting her settled, she again had lots of secretions, so they suctioned for a bit, but finally had her settled. We were so happy that she did well. During the process of all of this they had placed her back on her Milrinone drip to help keep her heart relaxed so it would be easier for her to pump out blood. So, she remains on this for now.

Throughout the day, she seemed to do well for the most part. A few times, she had a few moments where she would wake up quickly and upset, almost like a panic attack, take a few minutes to settle and then be fine again. They are at this time considering increasing her Ativan scheduled dose. She is still taking the scheduled Methadone dose also. We ask her if she is hurting and she will say yes, but she also says yes to being scared. So I think that it is a combination of feelings, which is how she was previously when she came off of the sedation medicine. So, we are going to have to find her happy place again. And she is also awake enough now after her surgery wednesday to start having pain in her side. Also during the day, they did her vibrating vest again, since she did sound a little "junky" on her right side. They are just tryinbg to help clear all of that mucous out, since she is laying down so much. Also, the chest tube remains in, she is still draining from it, so I do not know when this will come out, they decide. So we will see.

The best part of today, at least for mommy was late in the afternoon. Finally after a WHOLE MONTH, I got to hold my babygirl. The nurses wanted her to set up, because they thought it would help break up some secretions in her chest, but most of all so I could hold her. They quickly called Child Life and had them come over and take pictures of me and her and the whole family, they printed and brought them back to us and are going to put them on a CD to keep. Once, all this was over I finally got to have some alone time with my little sweetness. Just to finally get to hold her meant the world to me, having her close to me and being a mommy by holding her tight. Of course I cried because it had so long. I know she is bigger now and not a baby anymore, but she is still my babygirl. I was so happy for the two hours I held her, and she did very well during that time. This was basically the only time she laid still and slept all day without being jittery. I just wanted her to sleep well and hold her tight. Plus, all the staff and doctors knew the difference of her being held by me, and said that they knew it in my face as well, because I was so happy.

This evening we were not able to get out to dinner until late, but the nurses were nice enough to stay with her so we could grab a quick bite. Now, we are just trying to keep her relaxed and to sleep, which is being quite a challenge. She has decided to have daddy lay with her in bed now, so hope this works. So, hopefully tomorrow she will keep going forward in her progress. Thanks to everyone for the prayers today, because they were definately answered. Keep it coming. We will keep you posted on her status.

Thanks to all

Love, Jenny Justin and Jenna

13 comments:

  1. Amazing, What a wonderful day for all of you. Prayers continue for many more wonderful days. Jenna is truly a wonder. All the best.
    Betsy

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  2. I'm so happy and excited for you! I pray Jenna continues to improve and you get to come home soon.

    Carissa

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  3. Wow, what a big day!! We are so happy to hear that Jenna tolerated coming off the ventilator. It put tears in my eyes to finally hear that you got to hold your baby gir. We will continue to pray that Jenna gets stronger each day.

    Your Friends,
    Lori, Justin, and Tristan

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  4. This great news!!!! I can't wait to see you all later today. I can't imagine the feeling Jenny it makes me cry. I love you guys, Uncle Stu

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  5. I'm so glad things went well with Jenna. I can only imagine how you felt when you got to hold her. Our prayers will continue for another good day today.
    Love
    Helen

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  6. Wow!! This has got to be the best day for you all, we are so happy that Jenna had such a great day and pray they just keep getting better everyday and you can get home with your babygirl. What a thrill to hold her, I was so excited for you.You are all in our prayers and watch daily for the blogs, keep up the faith, you guys are doing wonderful things being the parents you are.Love to you all!
    Michele and Russ

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  7. It sounds like a great way to start the weekend. We are so happy to hear Jenna had a great day without the ventilator. How exciting that you got to hold your babygirl. It put tears in Lisa's eyes! We know you have been waiting for that for a long long time. We pray that Jenna continues to leap forward. God bless the three of you!

    Your Friends,
    Brent, Lisa, and Slaton

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  8. What wonderful news for you! We are so happy that things finally went well when coming off the vent. All have been praying diligently and our prayers are answered. Jenna certainly knows who holds her and who is laying beside her so she can rest. These are precious times. Keep them close in your heart. Can't wait to hear more good news. Our prayers and love are with you.
    Jo, Don, and Seth Burns

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  9. Jenny I'm so glad that you guys and Jenna had a good day that is so awsome. hope to see you some next week I will keep Jenna in my prayers! Cassidee

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  10. i am so glad you got to hold her jenny- it makes me cry out of sadness that it took a whole month but gladness that you finally got to hold her! i am not making much sense! anyway, 3 cheers! love, stacey

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  11. The tears are flowing again, but this time it is from happiness....I am glad to read you finally got to hold your baby girl. Amazing. Praise the Lord. Love and Prayers, Keith, Stacy and Addyson.

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  12. YEAH! Maybe you can come home soon. Prayers are with you. Roberta Wilson

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  13. Oh I'm so happy to hear that she's off the ventilator and doing better. I was so moved by reading that you finally got to hold your sweet little baby girl after so long. I can't imagine how hard it must be for you and Justin to have just let her lay there without being able to hold her while all of this stuff has been going on. It must be gutwrenching. But now you have had her in your arms and she surely felt your healing love holding onto her.

    Jenna will stay in my daily thoughts as things move along. I am glad to hear things are improving and I hope they continue to do so.

    Also, I know you get so many offers for help and support from everyone around you, but one more doesn't hurt. If you need anything, just holler... if we can't get to you directly, we'll send whatever you need via Stu. He's good as a pack mule! ;o)

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