Tracheotomy
Both Gracie's doctor and an expert that has been consulting on her case had hoped that after her seventh plasmapheresis Gracie would have been strong enough to extubate her and for to breathe on her own. Although she has improved, it is unfortunately not enough to allow her to be off the ventilator. Because prolonged intubation can lead to secondary complications, her doctors have decided that it is best perform a tracheotomy today.
While this is not what we had hoped for, it is not unexpected. Grace will be much more comfortable without the intubation, and be able to communicate more easily.
Please pray that the procedure goes smoothly, that there is minimal pain during recovery, and that she is more comfortable.
Debbie
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Comments (52)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Gracie. Steve and Debbie Stewart
Oh Debbie, I am saying my prayers for you guys right now. It is good that she will be able to communicate better and be more comfortable, she will really appreciate that I bet. Small steps forward are good steps. Sending all my love!!!
I continue to think about Grace and your whole family every day. I know she's in good hands with the medical experts, family and the whole community on her side!
One step back and 2 steps forward. Wishing Gracie an easy procedure. Sending lots of love today and every day. XO
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Gracie. /s/ Mark and Debi Bateman, your Michigan cousins
Praying for comfort and peace. Hopefully being able to communicate will bring her joy!
I am always impressed with the Fisher positive spin. Glad for the improvements and good thoughts for more.
Praying for Gracie and all the family.
Fingers and toes...and everything else crossed Gracie!
Debbie - I have LOTS of experience with post tracheotomy care. Hal had his tracheotomy in April 2011, and I took complete full care of him until August 2014 with no complications at all. If Gracie goes home with a trach and on a ventilator, please let me help! (By the way, home ventilators are tiny and very portable now. MUCH smaller, customized and more comfortable than the huge noisy hospital ones. Hal used aTrilogy, and once he had it, he asked to be able to use it not only at home and traveling, but also the few times he had to be hospitalized after his tracheostomy (for other reasons)).
Prayers for successful surgery and comfort for Gracie.
You are all in my prayers. Thank you for keeping us apprised of Gracie's journey, as difficult as that must be for you.
The tracheotomy surgery my brother had this summer was very simple and easy. The trach easily allowed him to be weaned off of it in the coming weeks and he found it so much more comfortable and made it so much easier to communicate!! He was so much happier after the trach was put in. You guys are doing great things and everyday you are one step closer to Gracie recovering!! Hang in there, we love you!!
Dear Gracie, you continue to be in our prayers and as they say in Germany...wir drucken unsere Daumen....basically, we push our thumbs (like our crossing our fingers for luck) that the process is quick and that very soon you are able to chat with your family and friends. All our best, Michelle and Chris Grippo with Jack and Gabi
Praying! And knowing that God has you all in His grip.
Oh Debbie - our hearts are heavy with grief in knowing what your family is going through. Prayers from all of us.
Gracie, you are in our thoughts daily...and we wish you continual progress in the upcoming days. Although not what you had hoped for, it will be a positive step in allowing you more freedom to express yourself. Continue to keep your spirits high and your positive fighting attitude! Your such and inspiration to us all!
I wish all of those results for Grace. Hope all goes well and she is more comfortable afterward. So happy you can be with her throughout this time.
Continued prayers for Grace and for all of you!!!
Godspeed the healing process.
Continued thoughts and prayers for you Debbie, Grace and the family... May this be one more step toward recovery....
It will be very good when Grace can communicate love and constant thoughts
Hi Fisher family: I am thinking of you all every day! Kat HIrsch
I am sorry that she has to have this surgery. I am amazed at her strength and courage. I am sure having an amazing family helps.
Thank you, Debbie, for the update. We are praying for Gracie--and all of you---during this difficult time.
More prayers today for beautiful GracieBell Fisher Luv U Nancy and Clint
Our thoughts and prayers are with you daily. Grace, you and your family are an inspiration. Speedy recovery. Love, the Gaitan family
Extra prayers today for Gracie and her team!
I know that you will be more comfortable after this procedure, Gracie, and that will only make you stronger for the work ahead. One of the things I pray for every day is wisdom for the doctors and medical staff that are helping you; you are in good hands. I send a big hug to you, to Emily, and to your parents. Love, Alison Strelich
Dear Fisher Family: Our thoughts and prayers have been with you ever since we heard about Gracies illness and finally caught up to technology to make this post. We send you our love, hugs, thoughts, prayers, and hope for Gracie to have a speedy recovery and a successful surgery today. Love, the Poirier Family-Susan, Paul, Nico and Alex
We had our church youth night at the Woodbury United Methodist Church here in Minnesota- many prayers were made for Gracie and all of you!! Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers daily. Paul- thank you so much for putting this awesome communication system together! It truly helps those of us that live far away feel connected to what is happening on a daily basis and to know how to provide support. God bless you all! Jill Findlay
Dear Debbie, I have been keeping you,Bill,Gracie,Emily, Joyce and Norm in my prayers since I heard of Gracie's illness. However, I have been with my family in Ohio, for the holidays, and had minimal computer usage, and couldn't let you know how much love and support are coming your way. Janice P.S. Please tell Gracie that I'll be attending her Feast along with Lynette, Dylan, Jaelin, Devon and Maesyn.
Just think Grace, now everyone will be able to see your beautiful smile better... : ) Big hug to you Debbie. Love you, Donna
We are praying for you every day. Our thoughts are with you all the time. It's so hard and so true, two steps forward, one step back. She is making amazing progress and we are so happy for you all. Lots and lots and lots of love to you :)
You all continue to be in our thoughts and prayers each and every day. Hoping this will give Gracie some relief and make things more comfortable for her. Love from the Andersens
You all continue to be in our thoughts and prayers each and every day. Hoping this will give Gracie some relief and make things more comfortable for her. Love from the Andersens
We pray it went well and helps with the pain and recovery!
We pray that this procedure will help Gracie to feel more comfortable and know that our prayers and love are with all of you. Love, Sue and John Z.
I pray that the procedure will be a success. Hang in there Gracie.
To Gracie, Debbie and family, please know that my prayers and thoughts are with you.
Gracie, we are thinking of you and hoping that you are more comfortable after this procedure. Your body needs this extra time for it to get strong and to work on conquering this thing. We love you and are sending lots of hugs to you, your mom, dad and sister Emily. Love, Kate, Chris, Tina, and Mike Agnoli
The Fisher family has many friend and we are all praying for Gracie. Love and support from your PT family
Thinking of you everyday, Gracie! Our prayers, love and good juju are on their way! Hugs from the Wilsons!
We are all hoping and praying you have more comfort and strength, Gracie. Your doctors are obviously working hard to help you and oh, I hope you can smile, knowing you have a huge support team behind you! Hugs from all the ladies in PEO
We continue to pray that this will lead to recovery. Am thinking about you all the time. Wish there was something we could all do to ease the load. Sending love and support. Jo
Hi Gracie, At your regular lesson time yesterday, I was picturing you back here playing your cello beautifully. I'll look for ward yo that day. Sending love & hugs, Alita
My thoughts and prayers are with Gracie today. I hope this goes very smoothly.
Sending love and prayers, every day and always.
As I was praying for Gracie and your family today I was reminded of the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and the refrain "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow". I pray that God would give you the strength that you need for each day and bright hope for the days ahead!
The Miyashiros send out our thoughts and prayers to Gracie and rest of the Fisher family.
Gracie and family. The UMC in Thousand Oaks is praying for peace and healing for you and your whole family. You are loved!
Bill and Debbie, My thoughts and prayers are with you , Gracie and the whole family.....We have a huge prayer line going through Simi ,TO , Camarillo and many many more. May God grant you peace and healing as you go through this journey with faith, strength and hope you are a wonderful family and may GOD speed Gracie's recovery. Much love and prayers, Linda Halpin