I am not quite sure where to start. It has been an extremely rough 36 hours. Since I posted last, Ethan went downhill. I will give details, but I want to state first the he is stable now and his white blood cell count is going down! Thanks for the extra prayers.
The docs were working all day yesterday trying to find the source of infection. Ethan's left chest tube abruptly stopped draining yesterday morning and the site was looking red. They decided to pull it out. They knew it probably wasn't the main problem, but it was definately not looking good. His lung collapsed upon removal. He was already teetering on the verge of respiratory distress, but this made it official. He was intubated and his lung reflated. However, he was needing FULL ventilator support and his sats weren't good. The chest x-ray showed what was looking like pneumonia (most likely THE INFECTION).
So between pneumonia, pleural effusions, and being on the ventilator his lungs were having very high "resistence" or high pressures. And as previously mentioned, the new glenn circulation they created in surgery is based on low resistence in the lungs. Thus, his new circulation was not working. So after still having very low oxygenation after being intubated, they had to also put him on nitric gas. This helps lower the resistance in the lungs so blood can get in there to be oxygenated.
He finally stablized around 9pm. By 4am the party was over. He went downhill again. Ethan had low blood pressure during the night and they gave him fluids. And as Ethan always does, he soaked it up in his lungs
and his effusions got really bad. His oxygenation was in the 50's off and on all morning. And they couldn't get it up. He was not looking good. That is when I finally lost it! Greg came in and we were preparing for the worst.
The whole team went to work on him after they got him somewhat stable. They put in central and arterial lines again, ran lots of tests, started a whole lot of meds, and put in a chest tube. He is now very stable. They wanted to take him for a CT scan of his lungs, but that will wait til tomorrow. Right now they want to slowly wean him off the nitric and high ventilator settings They don't want to rock the boat any more today. Sorry for all the details, but I have had many texts requesting to know.
The most amazing thing happened though. They checked his arterial blood gases during all of this. This shows how his core system is doing. The docs expected it to be bad. . . and it was GOOD! His guardian angels were over him today!
Unfortunately, he looks like he just came out of surgery again. YUK!
9 comments:
Oh Heidi, that makes me cry just thinking about what poor Ethan is going through, and what you are going through. I am SO sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help your family out, and that I was closer. We will continue to pray and fast. I am going to fast on Friday for my new niece who is having issues, and I will include Ethan in that fast. I love you and wish you guys the best.
What a rough night. If only these challenges did not have to be triumphed but such a little guy. What a beautiful blessing that his blood gas was good. A testament to prayers being heard.
We have Ethan in every prayer. I carry him in my heart and we pray for you too. Last night my 7 year old prayed a special earnest prayer for Ethan. Hold strong and know Ethan is in the watchful care of He who can make weak things strong. I will continue to pray that He utilize his Healing powers for Ethan.
I am so sorry you all have to go throught this roller coaster. He is obviously a tough little guy. I'm thinking of you always!!
Oh my...Heidi, Greg, our prayers are with you and baby Ethan, and of course the children.
I am in shock right now, seeing I just saw him all smiles and cute as a button last week. It just goes to show how quickly things can go from looking good, to turning sour in a blink of an eye.
I was telling all our friend about how adorable he is, and was giving them an update last night, when they inquired about him. You have many praying for your precious boy. I am so gald I got to meet him in person, because his pictures don't do justice to his cuteness!! He is so much cuter in person!!
Like I said..you are in our lucky room. I pray it brings you the same results it brought us when we almost lost Lily. I can not help but feel at peace when I walk into that room.
Sending you our heart hugs, love and blessings.
Jenna, Lilyana, and the Mclaughlin Clan.
I am SO sorry!! What a crazy 24 hours you've had. We're praying for Ethan all the time. Hopefully the vent will give his little body time to rest and recover. My heart is sad for you, nothing is worse than watching your own baby struggling like that. PRAYING!
Andrea
I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. You two are truly angels in yourself. We are definitely praying for you and we appreciate that even though things are tough you always seem so strong!
I am SO sorry to hear about all of this. I have been praying for you and will continue to do so. It's been a rough road but Ethan is a fighter!
Heidi and Greg,
I just want you to know that my family is all praying for Ethan and of course you and your family. I wish I had words to express my love and concern. Ethan is brave and strong and daily I have learned, because of him and other children that struggle, the meaning of faith and the love our Heavenly Father has for us. These little children that are born with many challenges are so loved and they continue to teach all the rest of us how to appreciate every day to the fullest. What a blessing! Keep the faith. Ethan is a fighter! With love, Francie
I'm so sorry you are all having such a difficult time. Thinking of you all - especially little Ethan, and hoping that he recovers swiftly from this setback, so you can get off this rollercoaster, and start thinking about going home together. With love and prayers from across the pond. XXX
Post a Comment