Thursday, April 23, 2009

CVICU

Abigail has done well all day, remains very stable so far. She is still very sedated, but doing great the docs say. I thought she had too many things connected to her before. But as you can see we have many more, 14 things either in her or monitoring her. I thought I would list them below.
1. Cerebral Oximeter (in her forehead, monitoring brain oxygenation/cardiac output)
2. Nasogastric Tube (in her nose, to empty any contents out of her belly)
3. Endotraceal Tube (in her mouth, to breath for her while sedated)
4. Left arm PICC line ( to administer all her medications)
*Vasopressin ( to increase her blood pressure)
*Heparin ( a blood thinner)
*Calcium Gluconate ( not really sure what for)
5. Right arm PICC line (to draw labs and monitor CVP-central venous pressure)
6. Chest Tube on right side ( to drain any fluid or air in chest)
7. Foley catheter ( to drain and measure urine)
8. Femoral aterial line in right leg (to monitor blood pressure continuously, draw blood gases)
9. Pulse Oximeter on foot ( to monitor oxygenation in blood)
10. 5 Lead on chest ( to monitor heart rhythm continuously)
11. Temperature probe on abdomen (to regulate body temperature with warmer)
12. Temperature probe on sole of foot ( to monitor cardiac output)
13. Rectal temperature probe (for body temp)
14. Restraints on arms (guess in case we wake up and want to pull out our tubes)

And the incision is right under her right arm, covered with a dressing. Appears to be 1-2 in wide.

Crazy right!! Do some of you people out there who aren't in the medical field feel like you have just taken a cardiovascular course?

Well, I am glad to report that things are well at this time. We were unable to get a room at the Ronald McDonald House tonight, so Daddy is up with Abigail now watching her rest. I am home with Jackson who is going through quite a transition right now, not so easy for a two year old!!

I wanted to congratulate my sister,Haley (Aunt LeLe), who has been at Abigail and my side through this all. She will be graduating tomorrow from UTMB Nursing School!! Yeah!! Plans to pursue her career in Pediatrics, hopefully at TCH.

Sorry , I know this was a long one, but its good for me to get it all out. Going to try and get some rest and do it all over again tomorrow!!
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14 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 23, 2009 at 10:09 PM

    Great news, Holly! And she is so beautiful, despite all that crap attached to her! :)

    I'll be at graduation tomorrow (natalie and laura are getting their msn's) and I'll cheer extra loud for Haley!

    See ya next week-
    Megan Johnson

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  2. JDWApril 23, 2009 at 10:30 PM

    I'm so glad the surgery went well, Holly. We are all praying for you in the Dunham/Wright family network! Abigail is adorable and has won the hearts of so many already. You look great, too, by the way! Abigail and Jackson are blessed to have such a strong mommy-keep it up one day at a time...
    Love,
    Jody, David, and Fisher Wright

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  3. lizApril 23, 2009 at 10:52 PM

    holly, i don't know who is stronger, you or abigail!!! jackson will get through this. kid are more resiliant then we ever give them credit for. and, thanks for the pictures. they are precious

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  4. AnonymousApril 23, 2009 at 11:53 PM

    Hi Holly & family - we've never met however I feel like we know you all so well because Haley is such an important person in our lives! Please know that we have you all in our Prayers and we know that God has a perfect plan for each of you. There's something to celebrate each moment of the day like Haley's graduation tomorrow and every second as Abigail gets stronger and stronger - and there will be more celebrations to come! We look forward to meeting you all in person soon and will keep you all and your doctors and nurses in our Prayers! The Doskocil's - Ian, Samantha, Lyndy & Gary

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  5. AnonymousApril 24, 2009 at 7:07 AM

    Hang in there folks! You will all get through this!. Our thoughts and prayers are with you from Deer Park !. Were right next door. Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do to help. No matter how big or how small.
    Lisa, Richard and Blake Kosiba

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  6. AnonymousApril 24, 2009 at 9:12 AM

    Holly, I am so excited that Abigail is doig good and starting her road to recovery. We serve an awesome God and He surely answer prayers! You take care of yourself (Jack and Abigail need a healthy mom!!). Please let me know if I can do anything for you and the family. Take care, Libra

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  7. AnonymousApril 24, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    Good to hear the surgery went well!! Abigail is a strong and beautiful baby! We will continue to pray here for her quick road to recovery! Stay strong!

    Michelle Kralovetz and family

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  8. the stitesApril 24, 2009 at 11:48 AM

    Go Abigail, GO! God loves you so much. And we do too!

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  9. AnonymousApril 24, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    HI,HOLLY IT'S GOOD TO HERE THAT YOUR BABY GIRL IS DOING BETTER NOW.SHE IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL!! BABY GIRL. YOU CAN TELL THAT SHE IS VERY STRONG JUST LIKE HER MOMMY! I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU,ABIGAIL&FAMILY STAY STRONG!!!

    MELINA RANGEL

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  10. AnonymousApril 24, 2009 at 5:27 PM

    Holly, Nathan, Jackson, Halle , Grandmothers, Grandfathers and Great Aunts and Uncles,

    I am so happy Abigail is recovering well ... Yes it looks like so much for such a little precious baby ... but thank God we have people who know what to do with it all .

    Congrats to Halle ...

    If there is anything your family needs please do not hesitate to call me .

    Prayers continue .

    Becky

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  11. AnonymousApril 25, 2009 at 7:22 AM

    So glad you guys made it through the 1st surgery. I know it is so hard. She looks great. It will be so wonderful as little by little all the leads, monitors, attachments come off!! Try to rest as much as you can!!

    Thinking of you guys. We'll keep praying for Abigail. Hope Jackson is ok too!! He's in our prayers also!

    Love, Mark, Emily Mathias and Parker

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  12. kristinApril 26, 2009 at 8:44 PM

    So great to hear! Such strong fighters. We continue to keep you in our prayers. We love you. Kristin & Ryan Epps

    *Congrats, Haley! So happy for you!

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  13. butler babesApril 27, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    So glad to hear the surgery went well. Thanks for all the updates and details. You know us nurses want details... I know it is hard being a mommy and a nurse. Meg said she enjoyed her visit with you. Listen, you know I am right around the corner if you ever need a thing with Jacks or anything at all.. Even to let the dog out...:)
    I cheered for your sis on Friday.. Meg said she would be there and So happy for her to be entering into this wonderful field of nursing. Talk to you soon.

    love, laura

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  14. AnonymousApril 27, 2009 at 8:08 PM

    Holly, glad to hear she is recovering so well and moving to "better" places in the NICU!! Way to go! It has been wonderful reading all the details from someone who understands it all..it helps us nurses understand even better! Praying for continued strength for each and every family member!!
    Jen Gerard & Family

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