Sunday, December 18, 2011

Update 12/18

I just want to make sure everybody knows what is going on.

Initially Caroline had trouble breathing which is a common premie problem. The doctors gave her a low flow canula for O2 that was not enough so the moved up to a high flow canula. Then they found that she had developed a pnumothorax (hole on her lung). Which apparently is another common problem with premie's. What happens is air leaks out of the lung and gets trapped between the lung and the lining around the lung, which puts pressure on the lung and does not allow it to inflate as well as displaces the heart. They tried to put her in an O2 tent to reduce pressure and still deliver O2 at 100%. That did not do the job so they elected to inset a respirator tube into her throat, and remove the air with a needle trying to avoid inserting a vent tube into the space between her lung and the lining. After removing the air with a needle she got better for a little bit, they did it again and same result. Problem was the pnumothorax was not sealing up. The doctors decided there was no way around the vent tube, so she got that. She has been doing much better since them. They have been able to reduce the pressure on the respirator as well as the level of oxygen enrichment. When we started with the respirator she was at about 70%' now she is at about 25%, normal is 21.5%. when we last weremwith her about an hour ago she has just has a blood gas test done and it showed her lungs were working well and it appears the pnumothorax is sealed and the doctors decided to reduce pressure again and if she does not take a step backward tonight they are going to remove the vent tube from the lung tomorrow.

That is where were are now, I will try to post updates as her condition improves. I will also post more pictures although it is hard to see her through all the tubes.

5 comments:

Aunt Janet said...

God bless and keep her in his care. I'm so glad the hole as sealed. She is a very pretty baby.

Grandma Budke said...

Thank you for keeping those of us so far away informed of Caroline's
progress, I know that I and many others really appreciate it.My prayers are with the smallest of my great- grandchildren and her parents,as well!

Anderson said...

Thank you so much for these posts you guys! It's so much easier to understand exactly what is going on and to explain to others who are asking!
Everybody is praying for Miss Caroline! She's absolutely beautiful!!
Love ya!
Kim

Anonymous said...

Thank you thank you for the update!!! It sounds like your docs are taking good care of Caroline. Kori - I hope you are getting some rest. Congratulations to both you and Ben - she is beautiful!!!
Aunt Stacy

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the explanation. It's easier to understand all the tubes. I asked Karen this morning about her progress and she was very positive, which sounds like the drs are too. God bless your little angel.
Connie