Last Thursday through Sunday, we learned to live hour-by-hour. Now we are up to day-by day, which is a major step forward. Alyssa continues to improve in many areas. As mentioned before, she came off the ventilator on Saturday, although she still needs an oxygen mask to keep her O2 levels up. Blood pressure continues to be a problem area, although it has been brought down significantly since Thursday. Tonight they will be trying a new combination of oral and IV meds to bring it down even further. The short term goal is to control her blood pressure with oral meds, which will allow her to move from the MICU to a regular room (although we love the special care she receives in the MICU.)
She is no longer on any sedatives and has pretty much come down from "cloud nine"; although she still reports seeing large groups of spiders going up and down her walls, so there must still be some residual affects.
Alyssa is still undergoing daily plasma pheresis and dialysis treatments. The dialysis is critical now because there is fluid in her lungs and this process helps to draw off some of this. It is very difficult for the doctors to determine through her chest x-rays what is causing the fluid build-up and whether or not it is pneumonia. She is receiving antibiotics just in case it is pneumonia. It will take a few more days to solve all of this.
She is still in acute renal failure, but this is at the bottom of our priority list. We are trying to stay optimistic that normal kidney function will return, but the odds go down after two weeks of acute renal failure. Odds don't scare us much any more...Alyssa has shown us that she can rise to the challenge.
FYI - Alyssa reads this blog each day and enjoys reading your comments, so please feel free to drop her a message.
Finally, we want to thank all of you for the tremendous support shown us through your messages, flowers, food, cards and most importantly through your prayers. No matter what you beliefs may be, you couldn't help but see that some greater power had to be watching over Alyssa to get her from where she was last Thursday to where she is today. There is still a very long, challenging road in front of her; but for now we are happy to take it day-by-day.
dd
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hello, Alyssa: this is from friends of your parents who have been pulling for you every minute since we heard about all that you have been going through. Unfortunately I didn't get your blog name right so had to track you down through your Dad's friend Coop.
ReplyDeletePlease let your mom know Red Cross says I am ok to go so I am working out the mechanics of that: have a bit of a bug so will have a few days delay but then it will be scheduled.
Please consider you and your family "e-hugged" by a couple of old people. Will absolutely be checking up on you throughout the day, now that I have mastered a new computer skill! Karolyne and Jack
Alyssa,
ReplyDeletewe follow your blog daily and keep you and your family in our prayers. Keep fighting the fight!!!
Love ya,
Donnie, Coop and Wendy