Grade 9 Infection

May 5, 2008 5:00 Pm

First, thank you for all your prayers. I know that the day to day information may be too much for some of you. Please don't feel obliged to read everything I blog. If it's too trying for you, simple pray in general for the health of our children and the spiritual strength of their parents. This blog will have its ups & downs and I thank those of you who are willing to ride this difficult journey... ...may the Lord bless you as you cry and rejoice with us.

Here's the update...

Chase. They have put him on hydrocortisone which will help with his bloodpressure. If all goes well, they will wean him off the dopamine (10mcg) in the next few days. Ultrasound on the brain revealed one small hemmorage on each hemisphere. Doctors say that it's a non issue.

Charissa. She's still having problems with her blood pressure: 20mcg of dopamine and 12 mcg of dobutamine. Doctors still aren't sure why her blood pressure is so low. They're worried, which makes us worry. Ultrasound on the brain revealed two small hemmorages on one side of her brain. Doctors say that it's a non issue.

Chelsea. Severe infection. On a scale of 1 -10, with 10 being the worst, she is a 9. Dr. Troyer says that she has high "gas" levels in her blood, and that she is technically in "shock." They started her on 3 antibiotics and are confident that they can eradicate the infection. But, they worry that the resultant shock may be too much for her system. Chelsea is undergoing numerous tests and procedures that are quite taxing on her body. Her right foot responded badly to an IV they placed in her artery to monitor her bloodpressure. There's no other place they can place the IV since both her arms and her other leg already have lines placed in. Her right toes are all purple right now and there is a chance that she could lose her toes. As for her brain ultrasound, she has a small hemmorage (grade 2) but Dr. Troyer isn't worried.

Please continue to pray through this blog for our three children. Here's a brief summary of the most important issues.
1. bloodpressure resolves for each of the three
2. respiratory system. each will come off the ventilator.
3. Chelsea. The next 24 HOURS are critical!!! Please pray vigiantly that her infection will be
resolved and that her circulartory system would not be compromised.

Yu Ran & I will be returning to the NICU tonight to be with Chelsea. We trust in the Lord, but we are both exhausted... ...pray for strength for us to love & pray for the three best gifts that we have ever received...

In tears,
Young & Yu Ran