Posted 2021-03-10T11:46:49Z

Prepare for the Unexpected

We want to give everyone an update that Ellie has been admitted to ICU as of yesterday at 4 PM. Her oxygenation started deteriorating and breathing had been laboured starting around 2 pm yesterday and her diastolic (bottom) blood pressure had been dropping, lowest down to 20 mmHg. They called a MET call (like a code blue) on the ward when this happened. I was with Ellie at the time. Eerily, she appeared fine during it all, and I quietly stepped back, calm and collected while about 15 people flew into the room, threw the curtains back, flipped on all the lights and descended upon her. She is the epitome of strength and bravery. Stoic and strong willed, and this was yet another testament of just how much her body is being tested yet she rarely, if ever, tells us is she is in pain or if something wrong. I have since collapsed in a little heap in the hours since. Holding it in when it counts, and letting it out when no one is looking. Thank God for Paul who is always my rock to lean on.

The past 24 hours Ellie has been in ICU and does remain stable. The doctors still do not know why, but are suspecting a possible inflammatory reaction/response to an infection. The ICU consultant threw out the possibility of a pulmonary embolism, but right now they are putting a bandaid on the problem, so to speak, until they can figure it out. The bandaid is norepinephrine for her BP, steroids just to see if they help, positive pressure oxygen which is humidified warm oxygen blowing into her nose (which then inflates the lungs like a balloon, as the base of her lungs are partially collapsed and or filled with fluid) and a continuous IV infusion of a sedative to help see her through all of the things coming at her. They have also placed an arterial line which measures her BP directly via an artery in her wrist. Lastly, Ellie now has a nasogastric tube which will remain throughout her treatment. Her TPN (IV steak and potatoes in a bag, as the nurses call it) will stop and she will get fed directly into her stomach now.

Being admitted to ICU is a point that we never thought we would encounter and the last 24 hours have been extremely mentally exhausting. But, with that being said, all of Ellie’s vital signs/observations look very good at the moment with the “band aids” they have given her. We just need to understand what is making this happen (infection or inflammatory response) to better understand the treatment approach. We’re are praying she will get out of here in a few days, but as the team says, it’s all about how Ellie responds: she dictates when she gets out of here. Please keep those prayers coming. Love you all xx

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Prepare for the Unexpected

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