Sunday, December 28, 2008

PICU Day 10

I hardly know where to begin today...it all started around midnight...Noah dropped his O2 sats to the 60's, and his lungs were so tight, he was no longer moving air. The attending was called as it looked like he'd have to be intubated. While waiting for her to arrive, Noah got 9 backtoback ventolin masks with some hand ventolation, and finally his lungs began to open up again. So it was decided to try to hold off on intubating and put him on BIPAP to take over even more of the work of breathing. With the BIPAP he began to settle. He was also started on Atrovent to help with bronchospams . A couple of hours later, our precarious central line became problematic and we completely lost one lumen of his double lumen line. This meant that there was no where to run the Pentoprazole, so it was decided to stop it. About an hour later, Noah began actively bleeding again.

That brings us to the day...his hemoglobin dropped quickly and he recieved another transfusion. As the blood was running in, we noticed his central line leaking blood almost as fast as it was going in. After a multitude of pokes, a peripheral IV was finally found and we were able to at least get some of the blood in him and restart the Pentoprazole. We are still using the central line for TPN, but there is a constant leak of fluid from the site and we may lose to whole line at any time. This evening we again lost his peripheral IV...Pentoprazole had to be stopped again...he began bleeding again...finally got another IV established. Praying this IV will at least last the night! It's been a crazy whirlwind day of just trying to keep up with one issue after another.

So yes, Noah's lungs are still a big issue, but the even bigger issue tonight is line access. Right now, this central line is Noah's lifeline. We cannot afford to lose it...if we lose all access, there is no way Noah can survive this. Our surgeon is away, and the surgeon who is covering for her was in no hurry to make any big decisions on a Sunday night. They did do an ultrasound to see if Noah even has anywhere to put a new line, and they think he may have a place, but it was unclear as to how scarred it is and whether it truly is a usable spot. They likely won't know for sure without trying. But trying means another trip to the OR...another intubation... which means likely not being able to extubate him again anytime soon. Tomorrow, this all needs to be addressed and some tough decisions made...we are between a rock and a hard place once again, with no good answers.

In the midst of all this, the kids came home today. We brought their gifts to the hospital and had a little Christmas with them here. It was so good to see them again and Noah was excited to see them too. They even got a smile out of him, despite how tuckered out he was!

16 comments:

Sandie said...

Praying so much for you and Brad and sweet Noah! Praying too for wisdom for you and the doctors...Thanks for keeping us up to date on how we can pray and on how Noah is doing...
Hugs
Sandie

Anonymous said...

We are praying so hard for you right now.
Hoping that something good will come out of tomorrow and that the doctors are able to go forward.

Mandy (Disboards)

Anonymous said...

Praying for you, Noah and your other children too. Will keep praying for the doctors too.
Hugs

Erica

Anonymous said...

You are in our prayers every day. Today we will say extra ones.

Kevin, Tracy & girls

Kim said...

Praying for wisdom and guidance for the doctors. Bean - we love you and are praying for you (and your family). Happy to hear that you were able to share your precious smile with Joshua & Kailyn. Love to you all...

kimmylaj said...

i originally read about you on the dis boards, and have been keeping up on here, i just want to let you know that i am praying for your sweet boy and your family. i looked at the slideshow and the picture of him on the beach and as a bumblebee are just precious. in ambers post about the angel, she talks about storming the heavens with prayer, it just gives such a powerful image. i am sure that that is what is going on right now for little noah. so many of us will continue to pray for him. take care of yourself. kim

Anonymous said...

We are saying extra prayers for Noah today. I will send an email to my church ladies so that they can increase their prayers for him! God Bless you all.

Carol ( aka oklamomof4boys)

Anonymous said...

Just letting everyone know it is Nichole's birthday today. We love you so much Nichole, and despite all you are going through there, I pray that you will receive a special blessing today from jesus. It was good to spend time with you yesterday. love mo and dad. Praying always

Anonymous said...

Praying for God to continue to watch over you all during this trying time.

Thanks for the updates. I pray for your strength in the Lord Nichole. You're an amazing woman.

We love you all dearly!

~Rissa and family

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Nichole! I'm just a stranger who lives far away, but I'm thinking of you and praying for your handsome little man. May you find peace, wherever this rocky path may lead.

I'm a little late commenting but my heart ached when I read how sad you were that you spent Christmas at the hospital away from your family. By staying with Noah, you showed your children the true meaning of Christmas - giving of yourself when another individual is in need. Try to remember that you are not taking away from them, you are giving to them. They will be better parents and better human beings because of this. When they look back they will understand how very loved they are and that you would have done the very same for any one of them.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Right now, your time and your purpose is for Noah. Be gentle with yourself and don't let mommy guilt nag at you.

Many blessings and comfort to you and your family during this difficult time.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Nichole. Praying special blessings today. You are an amazing woman.
Love Erica & family

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Nicole!!! :)

I am still praying for you guys!!!

The Keowns said...

Happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear Nichole
happy birthday to you!

Praying that today is a good day for you guys

Mir said...

We're praying for Noah, and his little family. What a tough holiday week for everyone. Praying the doctors find the wisdom they need to pull him through this!

Jolene said...

"Storming the heavens with prayer", I like that phrase. I'll add my prayers to that 'storm' right now.

Always praying...for each of you.

hilda said...

Happy Birthday Nichole!!!!!!!,May God give you strength and peace as you sit by your precious child. We are all thinking of you guys and keep on praying that there will be a turn around in this situation. I believe all of us that know you and your family will be "storming the heavens" tonight for you. God bless, Keep your eyes on JESUS. Love, Auntie Hilda