Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Off the Vent!

This morning Emma was still intubated but it had been changed to a C-PAP setting which means that it gives her little bursts to help her breathe deeper but she was breathing on her own. She got really uncomfortable, was trying to cry, gagging, wiggling, scratching her legs, popping her knee out... she was miserable for about 45 minutes. That was a LONG 45 minutes! During that time her RAP (Right Arterial Pressure) went up, she started holding her breath so the C-PAP switched back over to backup ventilator and the other monitors alarmed with apnea. The nurse paged respiratory to come extubate her and it took a little while but finally they did get the vent out and she is MUCH HAPPIER without it!

Overnight the morphine caused her BP to drop some and some other stuff moved around but she recovered. They'd given her a half dose to start with anyway so they are trying not to give her any more morphine. They did know it was a possibility since she'd had a questionable episode after the T&A but... the thing we originally thought was an episode after the T&A we found out was just the way she is when asleep... so we don't think the morphine caused it. They were still cautious and did have some reaction to it so we're trying Toradol instead and hoping that will keep her comfortable.

Now she's resting comfortably and happy to have the tubes out of her face. They took the NG suction out of her nose at the same time just to let her get good and comfy for a while and relieve her throat for a bit. Plus... it was going to come out with the vent tube whether they wanted it to or not ;).

They turned her pacemaker down to 80bpm and she is maintaining 100 on her own! Prayers that she would overcome the pacemaker and that she would come off the vent are answered! Emma is a fighter and is doing great! I'm on Mike's laptop but will post pic's later.

We have two nurses today because one is transferring from the adult cardiac ward at Tampa General and is getting her footing for pediatrics. Both are great though. Also, a nurse came in this morning with two little teddy bears and left one for Emma. When she came in to say hello we knew exactly who she was, and she remembers Brianna too :) We've met probably 10 nurses that we know already and I'm glad we brought a few pic's of Brianna when she was here for her surgery 2 years ago. We also have some pic's of the kids now and have left them at Emma's bedside so the nurses can peek.

We're so proud of our little fighter and glad she's overcoming all odds and recovering so well. She still has a rough road to travel, but is well on her way! Thank you for continuing to pray for Emma!

Michelle- Spinoza is singing away to her and telling her stories while she sleeps.
RK- her baby legs are helping keep her from scratching her legs up when she gets upset.

27 comments:

  1. Praise the Lord!!! I was so looking forward to your post sharing that the vent was gone and that she was breathing on her own. This is truly God's hand and is brightly shining through Emma to touch so many worldwide as well as those who are right there taking care of her.

    We will continue to pray and follow your blog....

    Hugs, prayers and blessings to Miss Emma and her precious family,
    baileyshome(downsyn)

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  2. Oh my goodness, being off the vent already is amazing, PTL.

    Emma continues to be in our prayers.

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  3. Wonderful news! Getting off the vent is a huge step--what a strong fighter she is!

    Will keep praying for the pacemaker weaning to be successful.

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  4. I am so happy to hear how well Emma is doing. This is definitely a prayer answered. I knew God had big plans for her and this is just the beginning. I can't wait to see her sweet smile again.
    Amy

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  5. More wonderful news!!! Continued prayers from us for you and your sweet little miss! hugs too :)

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  6. We are praying for Emma! My 7 year old asked me today how she was doing before you had posted!! We are SO happy at her progress and will keep you all in our prayers:)

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  7. Miss Emma is certainly a fighter. She sounds like she is doing great! Yes, she has a long way to go, but God has certainly worked miracles to get her this far and I am praying that the progress continues. Thanks for the update.

    Kayla

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  8. THANK GOD, EMMA IS A LITTLE FIGHTER. WE ARE SO HAPPY SHE IS DOING SO WELL. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER SMILING FOR ALL OF US. THE CAMPBELL FAMILY.

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  9. I am so glad to hear she's doing so well! I was peeking over at your blog from Greece whenever I could snatch a few mins at the computer, and have been thinking of Emma ever since you got her operation date. She is an amazing girl. Here's hoping she continues to do so well!

    Anna (RR)

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  10. I am so glad that things are going so well and that Emma is alert and fighting the various "jewelry", as another put it - that's a very good sign that she's so feisty, though of course I am glad that she is more comfortable now and is able to do without some of the "help". She's going to grow stronger and stronger everyday now - and what a blessing that will be to watch and help her flourish!

    With praises and prayers,
    Susan in Ky

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  11. Yippee! Continued prayers until you're out of there!!

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  12. Typing thru tears here. Praise God ! Emma will fulfill the plans God has for her here on this earth. Thank you Lord.
    Cindi

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  13. Meredith, just got back from Jr. high camp. So glad to read about Emma's surgery and all the success1!!!! God is Good!!! Will pray things just keep improving and proving the hand and presence of the Lord.

    Chris

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  14. Yay Emma! I just read this update to McKenna who is at the hospital having a 24 hour EEG done on Darah ... she said she is speechless! :)

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  15. you're an amazing little girl miss Emma

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  16. I am SO happy to read this wonderful news! PRAISE BE TO THE LORD!!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!

    HUGS to you all!

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  17. so glad to read more good news about Emma!

    seeing God work through all of this is so incredible... thank you for sharing. :-)

    hopefully the toradol works for Emma - with the migraine disorder i told you about, my IVs usually contain toradol at first but i'm so resistant after 16 years of this (started at 6, just turned 22) that it usually takes a lot more than that. the good thing about the stronger stuff is that it helps you sleep whereas toradol doesn't... but hopefully because Emma's so small & hopefully not resistant to meds yet it will work well for her. i know pretty much everything about all pain meds and it's good to hear they're trying to use something that carries fewer risks for her.

    praying for all of you & thanking God for what He is doing in & through Emma!

    - Michelle

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  18. I have been reading all the updates and got some really big tears in my eyes. What a little miracle this girl is! She IS a fighter isn't she. hehe GO EMMA HOPE!

    Know that I will continue with thoughts and prayers for you ALL. HUGS

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  19. Wonderful news! Our God is so good to us! I continue praying for Emma and the rest of the family!

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  20. What can I say? Praise God this could only happen through Him!!! I can only imagine the relief you all are feeling, the biggest hurdles seem to be crossed, I am more than happy for Emma and your family. What an inspiration!Can't wait for the next updates.
    april

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  21. we already spoke, but I wanted to say hi again! You sound SO good, relieved, and happy. I am glad Spinoza is singing to her, are you ready to smack him yet? :) I have been walking around for days with "Im not, the strongest bear in the world" running through my head...grrrrr. Tell little tough girl that we are SO proud of her. I cant wait to see her!!!

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  22. Go Emma!! She is a feisty little girl, which is wonderful! I am praying for her to continue doing so well and for her to go home quickly and well. I am so happy to hear that she is doing so well!

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  23. This is so exciting to see God be glorified not only through Emma's recovery but your eagerness to give him credit for all good things. (Not that I'd expect any different!)

    And thank you Meredith for taking the time and mentioning the BL and that she's using them. That just means the WORLD to me. Tears! I feel like I'm kind of taking a little care from afar. :o) Thank you!!!

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