kristaphillips Annabelle got extubated yesterday! Around 3:30, after we had finally gotten her awake a little from all her sedation. We spent the morning trying to wean her enough so she was good and alert to breathe well on her own.
Extubation went well, had a little squeekiness so they had to do a breathing treatment right away.
And I got to hold her a few hours later!!!!
Holding her was a HUGE chore and I think it really hurt her to move out of the bed. Not to mention the fact she has 2 chest tubes, an IV, an ART line, a CVP line (with a ton of meds going into it), a catheter, a temp probe, a Gtube, her vapotherm, her leads, o2 brain monitors (not sure what these are called…) and her pacing wires… yeah, it was a tangled mess and not simple. We decided it’s probably best not to hold her for another day or two.
Prayers Needed
Please keep Annabelle in your prayers still though. Even though we extubated, breathing isn’t coming simply for her. She sounds really weasy, is moving weak air, and just having a hard time overall. We weaned her vapotherm from a rate of 15 to 12 yesterday and she did okay with that, but again overnight to rate of 10 and we just had to go back up. She’s had some questionable blood gasses, and we just seem to be chasing her numbers all the way around.
They suctioning out her lungs as I type, trying to get some gunk out of there so she can breathe better. This is all just WAY too familiar to previously (failed) extubations.
Momma slept in the back of her room, waking up off and on, the last two nights. Sleepy doesn’t begin to describe it. Daddy slept at the Ronald McDonald house yesterday night, but last night he stayed up in the chair, since it seemed like a never ending flow of doctors kept coming into the room to check her out, and he didn’t feel comfortable leaving. Not great since he’s supposed to go to work tonight and I’m sure he is exhausted! But both of us were just too nervous to leave her.
So yeah, please just continue to pray, that Annabelle can take deep, satisfying breathes, that her numbers will be stable and normal, and that she can cough up any gunk that is in that, and that she STAYS OFF THE VENTILATOR!
*UPDATE*
Just talked to the nurse. Evidently her CRP number was elevated during the night too (like, elevated really HIGH) which is a big sign of infection. They’ve sent blood cultures and urine cultures to check. Please pray for this as well!!!! Obviously an infection would be not a good thing right now either!
I’m trying not to fret… Scott and I have switched chairs so he can sleep a little… I just gonna stay up a bit and pray and just, well, probably worry, but I think God understands that too! He had a son as well who went through a lot of pain, and I’m SURE it wasn’t pleasant for Him to watch either.
Finally awake and bright eyed! THIS is my Annabelle!
Blurry pic of me holding her… but showing all of her mess of wires/tubes! A LITTLE overwhelming for even this momma, who is pretty used to tubes and wires by now!
A nicer picture of me and Annabelle…
She’s looking at her mobile!!! LOVES her lady bugs and flowers:-)
Wow. I can't even begin to imagine how hard that all is. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Krista, I'm praying for good things today, as well as some much needed rest for you and Scott. (((hugs)))
My thoughts and prayers will be with you today, Krista.
Praying like crazy for her to stay off the vent. I am also going to say a little pray for some rest for the two of you…you really need it. And adding another few prayers for no infection. She really needs to catch a break…poor little sweetie.
Krista, We're praying for you guys to get some much needed rest, and that Annabelle can really pull through this. "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to those that are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NAS)" That's something that's really meant a lot to us over the past few weeks as we've had our own share of problems and things we've had to work through. <3
Micah – writing for Jen as she's in the hospital after having appendicitis.
Praying!
I cried at those pictures of you holding her. To hold her!
Praise God & I'll keep praying.
~ Wendy
What an amazing family you have, Krista. I first read about Annabelle on Katie's FB page and have posted the site on mine. I've been praying for Annabelle, and all of you, and know some of my friends have been doing the same. May strength, rest, and good steps toward healing be in God's plan for your day today. And for Annabelle to sense or see the angels surrounding her.
She really does look amazing for all she's been through. I am praying for you all today.
You know we are praying Krista! Love you!!
Of course I keep praying! I hope you and Scott will get some rest today!
Continued prayers for all of you. I hope you and your hubby are able to get some much-needed rest.
Praying, Krista. Much love and hugs to you and your family.
Krista, I will be praying for you and your sweet Annabelle today!
Praying for you. I hope you get a chance to rest.
Praying and trusting for a great day for Annabelle!(and for your family too)
🙂 Shannon
Stay strong…we'll all keep praying. Glad you got to hold your little one. Blessings to you and Scott and your girls!
Linda
WOW. I have seen a lot of babies in NICU's…lots of wires, tubes, etc…but honestly, that is the most I have ever seen. Glad to hear, as per your more recent post, that some of those tubes/wires are coming off. I have posted a couple times on facebook about Annabelle. I do believe there are folks praying for her all over the world. 🙂 Kiss those sweet baby cheeks!!
Julie
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