Amelia was unable to keep her satts up this morning as we were preparing to get out of the house for her scheduled pediatrician appointment. I tried all the usual course of action -- extra oxygen, saline and suctioning, an albuterol treatment -- all ineffective. I called the pediatrician's emergency number and let her know what was going on and she told me to call 911. This is the first time in my life that I have had to do this.
They brought us down to the medical center. After the tomfoolery that ocurred at the local ER last time, I decided we should come directly down here. They gave her a mask full of epinephrin and had her up to 5 LPM, but her breathing rate did not come down to where they felt it should. We had about 8 doctors hovering around her and finally someone came in and put a flexible scope up her nose to look at her throat and vocal chords.
The ENT doctor thought it looked like one of her chords was not moving fully and because she had not responded to epinephrin that she may have trachial stenosis as a result of being on the vent for three months -- maybe she had some scar tissue that was growing, causing her throat to close up -- and with the addition of the cold, could be causing it to enflame even more. They also gave her some dex (a steroid to reduce swelling). The only way to see past the vocal chords is to do a bronchipscope and she must be intubated to do this. However, if her throat was so swollen or tight that they could not get her intubated, they would have to do an emergency tracheostomy.
She was in and out of the procedure in less than an hour and she had absolutely no swelling or scarring of her throat. So why is she not breathing properly? The only other reason is because of her lungs. She probably has a cold and maybe a respitory infection -- which if viral must just run its course. She just does not have any reserve air to help her out.
She is still on the vent and hopefully it will be a matter of weaning her off over the next few days and she'll be fine and breathing on her own. Right now she is in the PICU and we still have not been able to see her since they carted her off for her procedure. I am not sure why they are not allowing us to see her yet.
Will post details as we know them.
4 comments:
Hang in there you two, Amelia has been a pretty resilient little customer, and she will pass the bounce test on this one, too. Its been a great month and a half and she has accomplished much. We look forward to her getting over this hurdle with little back stepping. My prayers are always with you. Love MOM/Grammy
Oh our sweet Amelia ! We will have you in the center of our prayers this week. Be strong little one....you have come so far, and we know you are a fighter.
Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers as you meet this bump in the road. So many little storms....but there will be a rainbow at the end.
Vickie Cross
I'm praying for Amelia. Hopefully this is just a virus that must run its course. Let everyone know any new details that are learned!
I'm sorry to hear that Amelia is having a hard time. Eliz let me know what was going on. Glad to hear that her throat looks good. Hopefully she can soon kick whatever is ailing her so that she can resume her busy therapy schedule!
Love to all!
Annie
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