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View Full Version : Results are in....and we're home!


lovemymak
12-20-2007, 05:29 PM
Keturah got admitted to PICU for a bronch today to take a look at her bleeding. Her upper airway was so swollen that they couldn't see her vocal cords until they were right on top of them. She has a fundo and has been on Zantac forever, but they said they need to contact GI to get her on something stronger. They also think it could be quite painful and is probably the reason she has been backtracking in feeding. One can only hope. :rolleyes:

Her Right Main Bronchus was completely occluded by large blood clots. It was pretty unbelievable to see on the video! They did a washing and cleaned it all out and then cauterized the capillary so she shouldn't bleed anymore. They think it is a combination of dry weather and either too deep of suctioning or her hard coughing causing something in her airway to hit or rub and then eventually bleed. It miffs me because Chris and I NEVER deep suction her and we always tell the nurses never to go further than the 6 on the catheter. We're going to have to only let them tip suction to be sure nobody is getting anxious and trying to deep suction her. Now she has to wear a humidivent between her trach and speaking valve and have extra saline put in during the day to keep her airway moist. She hates it because it makes her valve stick out about an inch past her chin! Oh well Keturah! Beauty isn't everything! :blush:

She did make out with a new doodle bear, a caffe latte sucker (some of the things these Dr's give these children:rolleyes: ), and a lovebug baby. She had everybody eating out of her hand as usual and waiting on her hand and foot. She was a riot, as usual, when it was time for the sedation. Laughing hysterically! That is my favorite part of the whole process!!! She's home now and sleeping. I'm so happy they found the source of the bleeding. I always tend to get a little paranoid that they won't find it even though I know it's obviously there. She'll continue the Cipro and Bactrim until they are finished so she shouldn't be sick over Christmas. :woohoo:

Thanks for all your kind thoughts and prayers!
:hug: Sarah

suzanne2545
12-20-2007, 05:33 PM
Caffe latte sucker???? So California!

I'm glad she is home and cauterized and with a plan. Don't your nurses have to document how many times they suction and if it is cath vs tip?

At least she is home for Christmas! Knock on wood.

Suzanne

twintotwin
12-20-2007, 05:52 PM
You got me at cafe latte sucker! Mmmm.

I just read about Keturah's bleeding. Milo's been bleeding a lot this season too. I ask my nurses to try and have Milo cough out all of secretions by dropping in saline. He's a strong cougher. But maybe too strong because he eventually bleeds without saline.

We'd switched from Zantac to Prevacid a couple of years ago and their GI systems have calmed down significantly.

She's on some good anti-biotics so I bet you'll be in for a nice holiday. Glad to hear K's home and it's all figured out. :)

lovemymak
12-20-2007, 06:00 PM
I just read about Keturah's bleeding. Milo's been bleeding a lot this season too. I ask my nurses to try and have Milo cough out all of secretions by dropping in saline. He's a strong cougher. But maybe too strong because he eventually bleeds without saline.
Yeah...Keturah's a great cougher too, so we rarely have to suction. Only 2-3 times a day. I can't imagine that the overnight nurse would actually get off her lazy sleeping rear end....I mean, I can't believe that she would get up to go over and suction her in the middle of the night. :rolleyes: But the Dr did say that it's possible that she's just coughing too hard and that something's hitting it, so maybe that's true with Milo too.... I hope he quits! Do you guys do cold saline drops or neosynephrine for the bleeding? I'll have to download her bloody cough and post it here for you guys to see.
Don't your nurses have to document how many times they suctionYes
and if it is cath vs tip?
No

alizesmom
12-20-2007, 06:27 PM
We use both zantac and previcid since they have different actions for the same problem. I'm not sure what to tell you about preventing deep suctioning. I just pray that you find the way. Karen

Lifeisgood
12-20-2007, 07:57 PM
[QUOTE=lovemymak;130411]Yeah...Keturah's a great cougher too, so we rarely have to suction. Only 2-3 times a day. [QUOTE]

2-3 times a day?!!? WOW!!! Will it really be like that one day?!?!

Seriously, I'm glad that she's home and I hope she's all well and happy by Christmas.

:hug:
Christy

Lizzykewlness
12-20-2007, 08:52 PM
Glad she's home, I really hope she's feeling better by Christmas.

hcs_mom
12-20-2007, 09:14 PM
Poor Keturah! I'm so glad you are home and I pray that you all stay healthy for Christmas. What is with all the sickness so early in the season???

Jennie

Melisande
12-20-2007, 09:45 PM
Good to know you have some answers and all is well for now!:hug:

lovemymak
12-20-2007, 10:44 PM
2-3 times a day?!!? WOW!!! Will it really be like that one day?!?!
You too can have more than 5 minutes between suctioning some day! :D It took about a year before Keturah's secretions slowed down. It was irritating in the beginning though! :suction:

JWorthington
12-21-2007, 01:59 AM
Glad she's home and hope there is no more bleeding. Sam was on Zantac but they switched him to Losec cos he needed something stronger. Hope you all stay well for christmas:hug:
Juliex

Alethia
12-21-2007, 03:56 AM
I'm so glad they got to the root of the problem! I bet some of your nurses will be mortified at the thought they might have caused this with too vigorous suctioning!!

Kate
12-21-2007, 08:37 AM
Glad to hear she is on the road to recovery! We deal with the suctioning deep thing too--we never do and tell the nurses they can't...but can you really ever trust anyone but yourself. (and dh :) ) (that's what I've learned...sad but true)

Hope everything heals up nice and she is in tip top shape for Christmas!! :hug:

annettevz
12-21-2007, 09:21 AM
I'm so glad Keturah is home and you have a plan Sarah. Poor thing. We never have to deep suction Ash either.

:quote:I'll have to download her bloody cough and post it here for you guys to see. :quote:

LOL. Only us trach parents would find that interesting. Anyonw else would be grossed out!!!

Annette

JacobKaden
12-21-2007, 08:13 PM
So glad to hear Keturah is home and you know what is happening with her. Hopefully she stays on the mend over X-mas.:hug:

Kaylie
12-22-2007, 01:09 PM
wow, i havent been in in a while busy busy, sorry to hear about Ketura but sure am glad she is home now and hope that the bleeding is over and things get back to mormal real soon. Merry Christmas and give her a hug and kiss from us..