Sweet Maisy is very uncomfortable. She has now been on a variety of combinations of morphine, versed, benadryl, fentenal, tylenol and a muscle relaxant. Even with all of that she is still trying to sit up and is very sad that she can't drink anything. I think finally they hit a combination of meds that might allow her to sleep. She is on a fentenal drip along with versed and a muscle relaxant. It seems like she is uncomfortable because the muscle relaxant is making it so that she can't move much but her heart rate and blood pressure is elevated because the sedation isn't high enough. If you are not able to move your body, you don't want to be fully aware of that state of being. It appears that they need to increase the pain meds. She has had so many surgeries that her body has built a tolerance.
Maisy's birth parents unexpectedly came to the hospital to visit. We had a hunch that they might show up and we were right. Mom just got out of drug treatment today and is going to a halfway house tomorrow.
Both of her birth parents thanked us for taking Maisy into our home. The visit went well and they expressed gratitude (and not contempt which often occurs when children are not willingly placed for adoption.) Unfortunately, Maisy was very uncomfortable and the additional stimulation did not help things. After a short visit, the nurse asked them to leave. I was relieved that our first visit went well. Birthmom said that she believes that Maisy is a gift from God. We agree.
The PICU is full. There are no sleeping rooms available and they ran out of chairs that turn into beds. Right now, I have a tall swivel chair to sit on for the night...I feel like that if I fall asleep I will slide right off onto the floor. So if I survive the night, I will update you in the morning...
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Beautiful Angel...
Why is there exactly the right number of stars? "By the greatness of his might, not one is missing" (Isaiah 40:26).
What a reminder that God is keeping Maisy right where he wants her to be..safely in his arms. Now we have to remember to trust fully in his provision and grace for her. He knows every detail about her...every twist and turn of her intestines..every part of her that needs his healing. She is resting comfortable now that the morphine has kicked in. She looks like the most beautiful angel around.
What a reminder that God is keeping Maisy right where he wants her to be..safely in his arms. Now we have to remember to trust fully in his provision and grace for her. He knows every detail about her...every twist and turn of her intestines..every part of her that needs his healing. She is resting comfortable now that the morphine has kicked in. She looks like the most beautiful angel around.
Out of Surgery
Maisy is out of surgery and in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The doctors said that the surgery went well and they were able to complete all that they needed to. The surgeon is confident that the malrotation of the intestine has been the cause of her abdominal and feeding issues. They did not have to move her Gtube site which is an answer to prayer. She is in quite a bit of pain right now. They placed a central line in and are going to give her another dose of morphine soon. She is sleeping mostly but when she stirs at all it is obvious that she is in pain.
Her hemoglobin is low (it was low even before they began the surgery) so she may need a transfusion tomorrow. Right now, they have 3 IV's (an arterial line) placed and a central line in as well. It is very difficult for the Anesthesiologists to find a viable spot to place an IV. As soon they confirm that they central line is working well, they will remove one of the IV's (that looks like it already failed anyway.)
She has a 4 inch incision vertically down her abdomen. They cut the gauze in the shape of hearts--4 beautiful little hearts right down her tummy. They must have sensed what a princess she is because they are treating her like royalty on her birthday.
I have internet access at the hospital now but may not have a lot of time to update when she is awake.--thanks, Dorothy, for helping me out with updating today.
Thanks for lifting her up in prayer... please pray that her pain will be managed well tonight. When ever we spend any time at the hospital, we meet families who have children that could use your prayers also. We spent some time with a family of a 2 year old, Tanner, who spent 8 hours in surgery today---they are attempting to repair his heart valves by using the jugular vein from a cow. He has a long road of healing ahead of him.
I will post pics when I figure out how I can do that on this computer!
Love, Julie and Mark
Her hemoglobin is low (it was low even before they began the surgery) so she may need a transfusion tomorrow. Right now, they have 3 IV's (an arterial line) placed and a central line in as well. It is very difficult for the Anesthesiologists to find a viable spot to place an IV. As soon they confirm that they central line is working well, they will remove one of the IV's (that looks like it already failed anyway.)
She has a 4 inch incision vertically down her abdomen. They cut the gauze in the shape of hearts--4 beautiful little hearts right down her tummy. They must have sensed what a princess she is because they are treating her like royalty on her birthday.
I have internet access at the hospital now but may not have a lot of time to update when she is awake.--thanks, Dorothy, for helping me out with updating today.
Thanks for lifting her up in prayer... please pray that her pain will be managed well tonight. When ever we spend any time at the hospital, we meet families who have children that could use your prayers also. We spent some time with a family of a 2 year old, Tanner, who spent 8 hours in surgery today---they are attempting to repair his heart valves by using the jugular vein from a cow. He has a long road of healing ahead of him.
I will post pics when I figure out how I can do that on this computer!
Love, Julie and Mark
3:30pm Update on Maisy......
"We just received word that things are going well but it will be awhile yet before they are done. We'll keep you updated when we here more."
Julie
Julie
Maisy Surgery Update ......
Dorothy hacking into the blog here - Mark and Julie do not have blog access at the hospital so I am sharing the telephone updates this way......
Per Mark at 1:00pm:
"Maisy's surgery was scheduled to start at 11:20am and last 3 hours. At 12:30 they hadn't started yet so we are already looking at a longer than expected time line. We were surprised at how cautious the anesthesiologist is about her surgery. Not knowing what syndrome she actually has seems to have thrown him into super careful mode. Even though she has endured multiple major surgeries - including brain surgery - he is being very wary."
Prayer requests:
-That the surgeon and the anesthesiologist would be wise as they continue Maisy's operation.
-That both would respond quickly and appropriately to any complications that arise.
-That God's peace would descend over every one involved and that all fear would be erased.
(If anyone posts comments they will get them off their regular email account. I am sure there will be another update later.)
Per Mark at 1:00pm:
"Maisy's surgery was scheduled to start at 11:20am and last 3 hours. At 12:30 they hadn't started yet so we are already looking at a longer than expected time line. We were surprised at how cautious the anesthesiologist is about her surgery. Not knowing what syndrome she actually has seems to have thrown him into super careful mode. Even though she has endured multiple major surgeries - including brain surgery - he is being very wary."
Prayer requests:
-That the surgeon and the anesthesiologist would be wise as they continue Maisy's operation.
-That both would respond quickly and appropriately to any complications that arise.
-That God's peace would descend over every one involved and that all fear would be erased.
(If anyone posts comments they will get them off their regular email account. I am sure there will be another update later.)
