All of these updates occurred in our PCU room:
Dr. M stopped by our PCU room to give us an update on Kinley's ECMO status. Kinley is officially off of ECMO. They have cut the tubes connecting Kinley to her ECMO machine. The tubes in Kinley's neck are still there, we will need the surgeons to remove those. As of Dr. M's update Kinley is still on the conventional ventilator. She is oxygenating well, but Dr. M wants to make sure that she is getting rid of her CO2. So she is going to run a blood gas test before making the decision of whether or not to move to the high frequency ventilator.
A little while later Pablo (surgeon) came by to get a consent form signed. This consent form was to allow the surgeons to place a catheter in the vein that Kinley's ECMO tube is coming out of. This catheter will be Kinley's central line for the nurses to input blood, drugs and/or anything else she might need.
After the surgeons were finished, it was time for Dr. S (a surgeon) to visit us. He came in and told us that the ECMO tubes have been removed from Kinley's neck, but he was not able to place the catheter. He was not surprised by this because Kinley has been on ECMO for 21 days and the vein in her neck is pretty beat up. Since the catheter could not be placed the vein was simply tied off to stop it from bleeding. For now, Kinley still has the tubes going into her belly button which they are using to give meds, blood, etc. These tubes will need to be removed soon because they are typically taken out after 1 week of life, but they could not do this for Kinley since she was on ECMO at that time. Now that Kinley is off of ECMO they will try to place other vein and artery lines tomorrow.
Dr. M returned one more time to let us know that Kinley is still on the conventional ventilator, but she is now requiring 100% oxygen (she started the day at 40%). An x-ray shows that the upper lobe on Kinley's left lung has collapsed and they are doing an open lung tool to try and get it back open. The high frequency ventilator is still on stand-by in case Kinley needs it, but her blood gases are still looking okay. Dr. M is pretty confident that Kinley's lungs can handle all of her gas exchange, but we need to make sure that they stay open. Kinley is now receiving a new medication to help with clotting and they have a second new medication for clotting on stand-by. The biggest issue continues to be Kinley's bleeding. They are still infusing a lot of blood products. Once that is under control we will all be able to sleep better (or at all). Finally, Dr. M lets us know that we are in for a pretty rough, and long night.
We are very disappointed to find out that tomorrow is Dr. M's last day with Kinley. How much do doctors make a day? I wonder if any bank will loan us enough money to keep Dr. M as Kinley's doctor.
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3 comments:
Yea for being off ECMO! That is such a huge step. I hope the bleeding can be resolved quickly. I remember the first three days after Livi's surgery, they were the most difficult days of my life. I remember everyone talked about the roller coaster and post-surgery issues but you are never prepared. You are strong and have a strong spirit that Kinley has inherited...I know I don't know you but I can just tell :).
Liviana had to move to the high frequency Vent after surgery also. I thoght it was such a set back but it is just what she needed to get over the hump.
I'm thinking of you and your sweet girl. Please contact me for anything at all.
Hang in there Kathy and Kevin. Your strength amazes me(Kevin's jokes do not). My prayers are going strong. Thanks to the experiences of the Millers, Liviana's Mom. etc. it helps to know what they went through. The support of all the families seems so special and what a gift. Kinley is such a fighter. She can do this! Always my love!
Glad to hear you are off ECMO Kinley!! Kevin and Kathy, stay strong....keep all those positive vibes going full blast towards Kinley!! We're always keeping you in our prayers and think of you constantly. Wish there was something more we could do for you!!
Denise and family
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