Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Please Pray for Brianna Over the Next 24 Hours

Before today, I've tried to sit and finish the blog a couple of times. The great news was that tomorrow Brianna was going to be extubated. A lot of other things happened, but they are of no consequence now. Everything changed today at 4 pm.

I was in Brianna's room for most of the day. She was answering questions and was very alert even though she was uncomfortable with the tube in her throat. She started to cough and the nurse suctioned the tube. But as she began to pull out the stuff Brianna was coughing up, it became bright blood. More of it began to come out and the nurse quickly called a respiratory therapist and the doctors. I watched as Brianna continued to cough and they suctioned blood from her endotracial tube. Then blood began started to come out of her chest tube. I left because it was obvious that this was serious.

I called John and came back to wait outside her room where Lizzi (our BMT nurse practitioner who's been with us from the beginning) called up on the computer the chest x-ray that was just taken. The left "good" lung looked okay, but the right lung was showing a little hazy area. Then a nurse rolled the crash cart (for restarting a stopped heart) to Brianna's door. "Just in case," he said

Soon after, doctors were rushing in packed red blood cells, platelets, and clotting agents. Brianna was bleeding into her lungs. I stood with Lizzi while more people began running in. The light went on outside her room and they opened the door and grabbed the crash cart. John was still on the road.

For a while our wonderful, beautiful daughter left this earth. The doctors applied compression and she didn't respond. It wasn't until they put a board underneath her back that she responded and her heart began to beat again. That coupled with powerful drugs like epinephrine brought her back to us. Her blood pressure dropped and they are having a hard time stabilizing it.

Our physicians from both PICU and BMT are more critically concerned tonight than for any other event Brianna's dealt with. Both David Cornfield, head of PICU, and Christina Alvira, the PICU attending, worked to bring her back when her heart stopped. When you see tears in the doctor's eyes, you know they care about you and your child and that they are very concerned. We have been told that this is an hour-by-hour situation and that the odds are not in our daughter's favor. If Brianna can be kept stable tonight, and beyond, we won't know if there is any brain damage from possible lack of oxygen while "crashing" until she wakes up.

She is back on the oscillator to help provide compression to stop the bleeding inside of her lungs. They think an artery in her right lung broke or was invaded by the aspergillus, although they aren't certain. Aspergilllus's MO is to infiltrate the lung tissue and surrounding blood vessels. The doctors also had to put in two more chest tubes. She already had one on the right side, but now she has a second one on that side near the back of her lung. They had to put a new one in her left side. While they were giving her oxygen and hand expanding her lungs, they tore a small hole in her left lung. The tube is to help drain any air that may be leaking into her plueral space between the lung and the ribs.

As I write this, John and I are on a vigil in, and just outside, her room hoping and praying to beat the odds again.

24 comments:

CCs Whimsies said...

All of the Pfatties are praying for you all! Love, Crusty

softinthehead said...

Stay stron....we are keeping you all in our hearts and prayers! Pam

Diane Duda said...

Praying with all of my might.

Sam I Am said...

please stay strong..as strong as you possibly can..
we are here praying double-time for brianna.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
sam

bon said...

Dearest Daughter & John, Know we are praying to the God of the Universe, Our Creator, the one who loves us, and hears our prayers. Our plea for a miracle will not go unanswered. All your family and are friends are praying. What doctors can't do God can. Know we love you and our beautiful Brianna. She is a fighter and was a miracle baby and will be a miracle young woman. Keep the faith we will make it through. Love, hugs, and prayers, prayers, prayers! Remember their are angels around her, dedicated and skillful doctors, nurses, and staff who care personally about her, and loving family and friends who are keeping the watch with you and John. You are not alone and are well loved. May you be strengthened as you courageously journey on towards Brianna's recovery.

bon said...

Dearest Daughter & John, Know we are praying to the God of the Universe, Our Creator, the one who loves us, and hears our prayers. Our plea for a miracle will not go unanswered. All your family and are friends are praying. What doctors can't do God can. Know we love you and our beautiful Brianna. She is a fighter and was a miracle baby and will be a miracle young woman. Keep the faith we will make it through. Love, hugs, and prayers, prayers, prayers! Remember their are angels around her, dedicated and skillful doctors, nurses, and staff who care personally about her, and loving family and friends who are keeping the watch with you and John. You are not alone and are well loved. May you be strengthened as you courageously journey on towards Brianna's recovery.

Becky said...

My prayers are with you.
Bon is so right, what doctors cannot do, God can.
Bless you all.
Becky

Kingfisher Farm said...

I am praying for you and your dear daughter Iva. I so wish I could be there, but all I can do is send my love and prayers. Much love is going your way!!! Pam

Carolee said...

Iva I can't even imagine what you're going through right now. I'm praying so very hard for Brianna, and for all those involved in her care!

~ Carolee

Stephanie said...

My husband called just now as I was ready your blog update. We prayed for your family and that
God's will would be done and for comfort for you.

Carol Maglio said...

Iva, more than you know.... there are so many people praying and sending positive thoughts for Brianna and your family. Courage! Carol

Sylvia Anderson said...

Iva~ Colleen has been keeping me up to date, and I am so sorry about what happened! I have been thinking about you, Brianna, and your family since last night, and you are all in my thoughts & prayers. I have asked all that I know to pray as well....stay strong.
Sylvia

Angela said...

We thank you for what you have done Father and what you are yet to do. Jesus we are asking you to send strength, healing and wisdom into this child's room. Stength for the family, healing for Brianna and wisdom for all those involved in her care. Please show Yourself in all your mercy and grace. We give you the glory and honor. Amen

Anonymous said...

w9weo5kiitrxz

Anonymous said...

Iva, I will be praying with everything I have..love jo

Unknown said...

I wish you and Brianna all of the strength needed to pull through this terrible turn. I am praying for you. xoxo, Pam L.

Tracy of From Inside My Studio said...

I am sending so many prayers right now for her and all of you!!!
Prayers are being said all over the place for her!
Primitive HUGS!

XO
Cedara and so many on PrimMart and Beneath the Attic Eaves BTAE

Melanie Anderson said...

Iva & John,

We have been following your blog daily and are praying for Briana to make it through this crisis. I hope you, John and Trevor receive comfort and strength from all who care so deeply about you.

Melanie and Greg

Unknown said...

I am so sorry....I will remember Brianna and you all in my prayers...

Arbutus "Trudy" Hunter said...

I'm praying very hard for Brianna's health today. A bright sparkling healing energy surrounds and protects her.

Nina said...

Please know that Brianna is in my thoughts and prayers! I will pray extra hard for her, and tell everyone else to as well. I love her so much; she's such an amazing friend. May everything turn out the best it can!

Taracotta said...

Praying for you and your daughter Brianna right now...lifting you up and wishing the best.

Tara Perry (Cedara's sister)

chelseatroper said...

You'll make it. Brianna will make it

Kitty Forseth said...

HUGGGGGGGGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS....

Be strong Iva, you are such a fantastic mother.. and you are the BRAVEST woman I know!!! We will help in ANY way we can.

Love you bunches and bunches...

Kitty