Busy Busy Busy
Well, I haven't posted in a couple days. Part of that was because I was busy w/ school stuff and some other things. Also, not much really happened w/ Emma from Tuesday to Saturday.
However, Emma did have a scary Saturday night. Liz was here in Madison with her family, and I was up visiting my folks and some other relatives. Luckily I was able to get back quickly to be there for Liz and Emma. For most of the day Saturday Emma was doing just fine (fine for her at least... some problems w/ her lungs, but nothing new). However, when Liz and Emma's nurse were doing 8pm cares, Emma started having problems.
Emma initially looked as if she had removed her breathing tube again. She was unable to get much oxygen regardless of what was done, and the oxygen saturation in her blood was dropping. The doctors got Emma to stabilize somewhat, and then they took some chest x-rays to check the placement of the tube. The placement was fine, but the doctors decided to change breathing tubes just to make sure that there wasn't a problem w/ the breathing tube that was in place. There was no problem w/ the old tube, and Emma continued to have significant struggles getting oxygen. In the meantime she was had some big drops in oxygen concentration in her blood, with her skin turning a blue-grey in front of their eyes.
The doctors then put Emma back on antibiotics and switched Emma to a different style ventilator. The doctors had to significantly increase Emma's ventilator pressure and oxygen concentration in order to get Emma to stabilize. In addition, Emma was given a blood transfusion.
At some points during the evening (before I arrived), Liz has told me that the doctors optimism diminished significantly, and the doctor's statements turned from "when she recovers" to "if she recovers".
Luckily, Emma began stabilizing last night around 2 in the morning or so. By morning the doctors and nurses had increased Emma's vent pressure (14) and oxygen concentration (98%) even further. However, the doctors stated that they felt that Emma was looking better... and what they needed to do today was just make it through the day.
Luckily Emma has done well since this morning. Emma's vent pressure is now 13, and her oxygen concentration is down to 42%. In addition, Emma has been eating again (yummy) and the food has been so calming for her that she no longer needs the sedatives she required last night. Overall, Emma looks very healthy (although tired... she had a tough night!). For now we are back to wondering how Emma is going to do for the next couple hours (instead of days), but Emma's progress so far has been encouraging.
The doctors continue to watch Emma very closely. Originally they thought that Emma might be suffering from another bout of pnemonia, but they aren't quite sure yet. (a blood culture was conducted and should start to tell us something on monday / tuesday). In addition, the doctors are considering conducted a spinal tap on Monday to see if their is any infection present in the spinal fluid. While I'm not sure if they are still considering this procedure, I am just happy that Emma is looking better.
On a side note, at the nurse shift exchange this morning, the oncoming nurse said that she heard Emma had hit a dump last night. The night nurse looked at the day nurse and replied "nope, she hit a big pothole." Both Liz and I are happy that the quality and dedication of the staff is what it is, and we are happy that they could guide Emma and us through what has been her worst day so far.
However, Emma did have a scary Saturday night. Liz was here in Madison with her family, and I was up visiting my folks and some other relatives. Luckily I was able to get back quickly to be there for Liz and Emma. For most of the day Saturday Emma was doing just fine (fine for her at least... some problems w/ her lungs, but nothing new). However, when Liz and Emma's nurse were doing 8pm cares, Emma started having problems.
Emma initially looked as if she had removed her breathing tube again. She was unable to get much oxygen regardless of what was done, and the oxygen saturation in her blood was dropping. The doctors got Emma to stabilize somewhat, and then they took some chest x-rays to check the placement of the tube. The placement was fine, but the doctors decided to change breathing tubes just to make sure that there wasn't a problem w/ the breathing tube that was in place. There was no problem w/ the old tube, and Emma continued to have significant struggles getting oxygen. In the meantime she was had some big drops in oxygen concentration in her blood, with her skin turning a blue-grey in front of their eyes.
The doctors then put Emma back on antibiotics and switched Emma to a different style ventilator. The doctors had to significantly increase Emma's ventilator pressure and oxygen concentration in order to get Emma to stabilize. In addition, Emma was given a blood transfusion.
At some points during the evening (before I arrived), Liz has told me that the doctors optimism diminished significantly, and the doctor's statements turned from "when she recovers" to "if she recovers".
Luckily, Emma began stabilizing last night around 2 in the morning or so. By morning the doctors and nurses had increased Emma's vent pressure (14) and oxygen concentration (98%) even further. However, the doctors stated that they felt that Emma was looking better... and what they needed to do today was just make it through the day.
Luckily Emma has done well since this morning. Emma's vent pressure is now 13, and her oxygen concentration is down to 42%. In addition, Emma has been eating again (yummy) and the food has been so calming for her that she no longer needs the sedatives she required last night. Overall, Emma looks very healthy (although tired... she had a tough night!). For now we are back to wondering how Emma is going to do for the next couple hours (instead of days), but Emma's progress so far has been encouraging.
The doctors continue to watch Emma very closely. Originally they thought that Emma might be suffering from another bout of pnemonia, but they aren't quite sure yet. (a blood culture was conducted and should start to tell us something on monday / tuesday). In addition, the doctors are considering conducted a spinal tap on Monday to see if their is any infection present in the spinal fluid. While I'm not sure if they are still considering this procedure, I am just happy that Emma is looking better.
On a side note, at the nurse shift exchange this morning, the oncoming nurse said that she heard Emma had hit a dump last night. The night nurse looked at the day nurse and replied "nope, she hit a big pothole." Both Liz and I are happy that the quality and dedication of the staff is what it is, and we are happy that they could guide Emma and us through what has been her worst day so far.
posted by Chadwick at 3:20 PM
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