5.19.2011

Still in ICU

I am just now sitting down to the laptop to report to you all. I apologize I could do this sooner. We've had a busy few days since Monday evening. I will try to keep this as short as possible, but it seems I have a lot to cover!
Ry was scheduled to go into our Pediatrician's office on Monday to run some followup labs for our transplant team. A few numbers seemed a little off at our last appointment. Ry and I went in, and as always we had her sats checked there in the office while we were in. We had hoped they came up a bit from the low reading of 78 a week prior. Ry had been fighting a bit of an allergy spell the week before and we assumed that was the reason for the lower reading. We were concerned when we could not get a reading above the mid-60s. Labs were run and calls were placed to our Dallas team. There was a very high level of concern and Rylynn and I were sent home with just enough time to back bags and get straight to the local ER. (I will later get into the fury of packing our bags and heading out!)
The ER was expecting us and put Ry on oxygen right away while we waiting for the Dallas transport team to arrive. I had tried to ask that Ry and I just drive ourselves to Dallas, but with such low sats, they did not want to risk her detiorating along the way. They prefered that she be kept on oxygen. OK. Understandable. However, due to a string of circumstances, we would not be transported by ambulance or even helicopter... we'd be picked up by their fixed wing plane!! Ry was a champ and never cried in teh ambulances or the plane. We arrived at Children's around 11:00 (I think, but the time ran together that evening). After labs, chest Xray, and an echo. We were settled in our bed around 2:00am. Tuesday morning was spent reviewing the finds. While there seems to be no major change in Rylynn's heart or body physically, she had reached her threshold. Her little (or should I say huge becasue of how much it's enlarged) heart just can't keep up anymore. Doctors told us it was time to give Ry a PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) Line and begin her on a 24 drip medication. The good news is that this should help ease the stress on her heart while we wait for the transplant. This is no small step in our journey though. Ry was immediately bumped to a 1A status on the list. We need that heart ASAP!
The hope was to go home with the PICC. This would mean Ry carries a backpack holding her pump and meds and is simply walking and living life with an IV.
HOWEVER, it has been since Tuesday afternoon that they started the PICC and the meds don't seem to be working at all. We've made no headway and frankly, Gilly and I are terrified. This is the part where I ask all family and friends to pray for some improvement. I'm not sure how much longer we will wait to see signs of the medication taking effect before we try something else. Doctor's have told us to be patient, but Ry's had a couple of rough nights and we feel we're no longer treading water, but starting to go under a bit. They are keeping us in ICU because of the desaturation spells she keeps having.
I unfortunately, have to stop short here because it's almost time to talk to the Doctors.
Please pray for Rylynn.

6 comments:

Stan said...

May God be with you all. I wish there were something more we could do...

Anonymous said...

U guys r n our thoughts n prayers.....Jimmy, Cindy, Breken n Anistin:)

Anonymous said...

Praying for you guys!! May God be with you and keep you strong during this time. Phillip & Amy Martinka

Anonymous said...

Rydog I love you so much!! Keep stayin stong girl! :) I miss you & wish I could be in Dallas with you!!! Prayers from Ohio!
Love aunt beba :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for letting us know how you're all doing. LTX is sending love and prayers your way by the BAZILLION! love.-Dusty & Cindy

Anonymous said...

Thank you for letting us know how you're all doing. LTX is sending love and prayers your way by the BAZILLION! love.-Dusty & Cindy