PICU happenings

So we've been here in the PICU since Sunday afternoon and it has been crazy.  There have been so many things going on, its hard to know where to start.
There have been multiple chest xrays, a couple blood transfusions, a PICC placed, a PICC removed, many, many labs, ultrasounds, a paracentisis, oxygen, CPAP, BiPAP, breathing tube placed, hooked up to an oscillator, an ART line placed, plasma given, new meds given, others taken away, lots of adjustments to meds and other maintenence fluids, etc, etc, etc.

But the good news is that mostly everything is improving.  Her lungs look to be clearing up.  They determined a source of infection as her PICC line which they removed.  Her oxygen levels are getting better.  She has not had a fever for over 36 hours now.  Her nutrition is lacking a bit because they had to take her off TPN for now and her kidney function is very low right now.

She is sedated and medicinally paralyzed so she is very comfortable right now.  They do let her come off her sedated stated a couple times a day to see how her body reacts.  She starts fighting the ventillator, which is good. Shows she's still got some fight in her.  She is still reactive when they check her pupils as well.

Ultimately, there are improvements. It's just gonna be a slow, but steady process.  Dr. B wants her infections cleared up and then some days after it is cleared up before she would do her liver transplant.  She is so fragile right now that not only does she need to get a little better, but she'll have to get a little stronger as well.  We are on the right road though.  We'll get there.

Later this afternoon, they will be placing another catheter because they feel with her poor kidney function, she will require dialysis.  This is not a perrmanent thing.  It is pretty common with liver failure and when they are this sick.  Once a tranplant happens, the kidneys start working properly again.  It might take a little time, but they will kick back in.

For now, it is "just keep swimming, just keep swimming."

For those of you who are interested, we will be holding a special fast for Alivia.  It will be this Thursday, October 20 or Sunday, October 23.