Sunday, April 24, 2011

Easter

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Praying God's resurrection power will bring healing to Kerry Girl! God has given her a good gift: new lungs, liver, and pancreas. Praying all, especially the liver will work as God intended--fearfully and wonderfully made. Now that she can eat, the sight and smell of food makes her nauseated. Praying that will quickly pass. Walked half a mile yesterday and today. Thanks to all for your love and prayers. (Nan)

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Out of ICU

Finally got out of ICU 11pm last night, moved to a nice quiet corner room on 7800 pulmonary floor. Kerry says she slept half way thru the night, Johnnie says they slept pretty good. When I arrived 10:30 this morning she'd already had some coca cola, docs said she could have small sips of thin liquids and will get a food tray too! (Even as I write her food tray arrives: mac & cheese, peas, vanilla pudding, and thickcned apple juice.) She's walked three laps so far. Thanks everyone for your love, prayers and encouragement. (Nan)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Wonderful Day

Kerry is much improved. Extubated Tuesday and took 4 short walks. Wednesday was a wonderful day, she was sitting in the recliner bright eyed and bushy tailed when I arrived at
10 am and had already walked twice. Creatin has been trending down and she's producing urine so that the renal docs no longer need to see her. Ammonia level trending down too. Today was another good day and she's ready to move out of ICU back to the floor as soon as a bed opens up. She's enjoyed walking the 3100 unit and seeing all her nurse friends and is really ready for a cup of juice---FEES test tomorrow, hoping she'll pass and be deemed safe to have thin liquids and solid food. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement. (Nan)

Monday, April 18, 2011

Improvement

Kidneys are producing urine and creatin still elevated but trending down. Ammonia level in blood still elevated but trending down too. Tomorrow they will take her off the ventilator. She's responsive. Plan to walk after she gets off the vent tomorrow--need/want to exercise those lungs. Liver team working on a treatment plan. Thanks everyone for your encouragement and prayers. (Nan)

Saturday, April 16, 2011

One Sick Girl

The bile duct study showed her bile ducts are constricted. This occurs when there is a lack of blood supply to the liver and the doctors do not know when this could have occurred, during transplant or after transplant. Also her kidneys are not producing urine. Doctors believe this "kidney injury" is a result of iv contrast in some of the liver testing last week and high levels of one of the immunosuppressants; the injury is recoverable in time. She was moved to ICU this morning where they intubated her to protect her airways. The plan for the weekend is to get her stablized: kidneys working and staying infection free. The liver team is working on a treatment plan. Our hope is in the Lord (Psalm 131), God is our refuge (Psalm 90:1), nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37), God began and will complete His good work (Phillipians 1:6), and Kerry's verse Jeremiah 29:11 KJV "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope".

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Encouraged today!

Kerry's stomach emptying is sufficient enough that she began today to take some meds by mouth and can even have small sips of clear liquids! Also her liver numbers and billirubin decreased today! The liver team is still looking into why her liver numbers are elevated and she has a test tomorrow where they'll look at her bile ducts for blockages. Regarding the bacteria in her blood, blood drawn for culture Friday is showing negative for bacteria as of today. Needless to say we are thankful for the encouragement and for God's continuing care. (Nan)

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Update

Hi everyone, please forgive me for falling behind. Doctors are testing on several issues: stomach emptying slowly, liver not rejecting per liver biopsy but not doing well based on elevated enzymes and billirubin, and Infectious Disease doctors trying to figure out where the bacteria that shows up in her blood cultures is hiding in her body. Also changed rooms this week, moved from the surgical transplant floor (3124) to the pulmonary medicine floor (7831). Thanks for your prayers, cards, pictures, Bible verses shared and a special video greeting delivered by friends--all have encouraged and refreshed us spiritually! (Nan)