Sorry it has been so long since we have updated Ansley's status. However, we never really got any definitive results from her testing. The echocardiogram still showed the pulmonary hypertension, the EEG showed no seizure activity (although she is on anti-seizure medicine, and probably will be for the first 6 months). The more conclusive test is the MRI, however they will not be able to do that test until she is off of the nitric oxide. It is not a big deal, the MRI will not change any treatment it is more just for knowing.
Monday the doctors had a nephrologist (kidney specialist) come and meet Ansley and start to get involved because she started to have blood and blood clots in her urine. He came and talked to Rachel and I, and he explained that she was/is experiencing kidney failure even though she was producing more urine than the catheter could handle (they had to remove the catheter). He was also saying that they would be monitoring her kreatin levels in her blood twice a day to make sure that they dont get to lethal levels. A normal baby has levels around 0.5, but anything under 1 is ok. Her levels on monday were at 3.4. He said that they are going to try to wait it out and try to let her body repair its self and start functioning on their own. That is the best case senario, worst case senario is that they have to put a tube in her side so that she can come in for long term dialysis for at least 2 years until her body is big and strong enough to handle a kidney transplant.
Tuesday morning her kreatin levels had dropped to 3.2, and by tuesday evening hey had dropped to 3.1. Not huge improvements but at least not any higher. Wednesday morning down to 3.0, and the biggest improvement was last night they had dropped to 2.5. Still more than two and a half times normal but definitely a downward trend. Also, there is still blood in her urine but at least there have been no more clots.
They have been weaning her oxygen, and said that the magic number is 60% oxygen that they want to get to in order to be able to start weaning the nitric oxide. As of last night she was at 60%, so we have to hope she can maintain that, we will see when we go in today.
The blood pressure medicines have been weaned, one completely off and the other one down to a rate of 10 from 15.
8 comments:
We will continue to pray for Ansley. She is in our hearts and definitely on our minds. A slight improvement is better than no improvement. I know as the hours past and the days go by, she will gradually make more progress b/c she is a Graham, and Grahams are very strong individuals. We Love you All!!
I'm glad to hear she is making some improvement, though I'm sure it's never as quickly as you guys would like. Our family prays for Ansley every day, and we hope you feel the tender mercies of the Lord as you go through this.
I am glad to see hear the creatinine levels are lower...will pray specifically for her kidneys to continue the healing! Wow...Rachel, you guys keep me focusing on what is important! Avery is such a sweet sister!!! Thinking of you, continuously!
Amen to that Kayla and Roman..Grahams are strong individuals
Love you Joey and Rachel
Gran Ma is praying for each of you
Give Avery a hug for me..hope she is still enjoying baby doll.....
I love that picture of Avery reading to Ansley! That is priceless!
Ansley's a fighter!!! GO ANSLEY :-) Love you guys!
So thankful that things are improving, have you in my prayers and I know God is with you all. Thanks so much for keeping us updated, only got to meet Rachel (and my hair misses you), but Hannah is like family so that makes you part of it. Ansley is such a beautiful baby and Avery is such a big girl reading to her. So thankful that she is able see Ansley and build that bond between them. Will continue my prayers and please let me know if I can help in any way. Love to your family, Rita
We've been praying for you daily, ever since we frist of your news. You've already been blessed with so many miralces, haven't you!
We know the Lord will continue to bless and comfort you.
Love,
Tom and Carolyn Mildenhall
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