Around 4 p.m. today, our nurse came to check on Brenna, who still hadn't woken up from surgery, except for a couple of bouts of consciousness within an hour after her procedure. It was about this time too that Brenna's breathing rate began to pick up.
Her nurse tried to move Brenna around and picked her up to try to rouse her, to no avail. Eventually the hospitalist came to check on her as well.
Then, Brenna began to experience a little tremor in her upper body - almost like a mini-seizure that was off and on. At this point, the doctor stayed really close, monitoring her breathing, her vitals and the tremors. When nothing would wake Brenna, the anesthesiologists were called in.
As each of these issues progressed, we could see the medical staff get a little more concerned. We have had a little experience analyzing the reactions of doctors and nurses, and we're always trying to read them when it comes to how worried they are.
Two hours later, at 6 p.m., Brenna still hadn't woken up, which meant she'd been under anesthesia for about 9 hours. The anesthesiologists were checking her records, and she had had nothing different than she did with her eye surgery at 3 weeks old, except for two drugs that typically are "in and out" of the system, they told us. Her breathing rate - usually in the 20-30 breaths per minute range - was in the 60-80 range. She hadn't had any urine output since the surgery, and she was still have tremors.
The situation, which seemed to be building and building, felt like it got really serious really fast.
Within 15 minutes or so, we had 3 anesthesiologists, a general surgeon resident and a hospitalist examining and conferring about our daughter.
When the head of ICU arrived in our room and they assembled a team with a triage cart outside the room, we were pretty frightened and wondering how serious this really was. I don't think until Brenna was stabilized that we really felt the weight of it all.
Eventually the pediatric anesthesiologist discovered that Brenna's glucose levels were extremely low, so they began to pump her full of sugars. Almost immediately, she began to wake up. It probably helped her alertness that they were also sticking her heel so they could run a bunch of blood tests...
Our sweet girl is now stable (although she still isn't having an "output", so hopefully that changes really fast)...We're fervently hoping that the change in glucose level was the determining factor in this whole situation and that it will be smooth sailing now.
I'm still in a fog, and I can actually feel the tightness in my muscle from being so tense for so long this evening. What is this girl doing to me!? :)
Thanking God for keeping her safe tonight and praying hard for no more complications...
I got incredibly weepy reading this and my heart felt something I hadn't felt since the early days of Brenna's life. I am praying so hard for all of you. I am free all evening tomorrow if you need me and Pax to come over and hang out with Connor while you are at the hospital or he can come over here. Thinking of you all and praying hard for this little fighter!!!
ReplyDeleteI thank God for such amazing doctors but also for His tender mercies. You're a good mom, Courtney. Hang in there and know that others are praying ferociously on your behalf. When I think of our 'rare' community, you guys come to mind quickly and in the midst of my hard nights as I lay away and pray for hours, I want you to be assured that I am calling out to God for our girls. Thinking of you tonight...
ReplyDeleteConstant prayers for you all, especially Brenna
ReplyDeletePrayers coming your way!!:)
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your family, Courtney, and joining you in praying for God to keep Brenna safe and for no more complications. <3
ReplyDeletePraying for you all! Come on sweet little Brenna!! Time to grow grow grow!
ReplyDeleteContinuing prayers for God to keep sweet Brenna safe from any further complications. Hopefully she will be able to feed soon and move to the next phase of her recovery.
ReplyDeleteBrenna is always in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteMay the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you his peace. Numbers 6:24-26.
ReplyDeletePrayers for all of you.
ReplyDeleteBeen praying for Brenna (health & recovery)...strength & peace for you and your husband.
ReplyDeletePraying for healing in Brenna's tiny body and peace for the rest of the family. In Christian Love
ReplyDeletePrayers being sent up for the family.
ReplyDeleteWith god all things are possible!!!!!!!!! He is always there! Rest in his reassurance!!'nn
ReplyDeleteGrandma Jeannine told me of Brenna's upcoming surgery last week. I was so happy things seemingly went so well today...so very sorry to hear of your sweet baby girl's struggles tonight. Prayers for God's care for little Brenna, and prayers for both her parents and families who have had such a scare tonight. God's Blessings on all of you!
ReplyDeleteHow scary for you! I'm so glad God kept his hand on Brenna and that she is stable! Praying for rest, peace, healing, and a very wet diaper :)
ReplyDeleteThinking and praying for Baby B!
ReplyDeletePraying for a better day tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteBarbara :-)
Yes, I'm praying along with everyone else. All the body systems work together and when one thing is off, it seems that a problem is so hard to find, especially when time is of the essence. And then God slips in and you go somewhere and pray for his will. Try to remember to breathe too, that always helps me. I know the muscle thing all too well - I get it in my neck. GOD BLESS YOU ALL - everything will be ok. Prayers headed your way, big-time.
ReplyDeleteSending Brenna and your family lots of love and healthy vibes from NJ. You are never far from our thoughts. Stay strong, mama, you CAN do it.
ReplyDeleteKeeping Brenna and your family in my thoughts and prayers. May God give wisdom to her medical staff to guide them to discerning her best care options.
ReplyDeleteSaying a prayer for all of you right now.
ReplyDeleteI want you to know that I pray for your beautiful little Brenna everyday along with the prayers for our Little Man Quintin. The strength of these children never seise to amaze me. Your precious Brenna's beautiful smile makes me cry everytime I have the honor of seeing her photo's. What a beautiful personality she has. You two are obviously wonderful parents to her because her strength and smiles are certification of happiness. She's strong because she is loved by you two with all your hearts. Your a beautiful family and I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers. God Bless and may Brenna continue to fight her couragous fight. Someday maybe she and Quintin will meet to compare their triumphant battles. Quintin is 19 months and has endured many surgeries including a liver transplant, stopped breathing on January 3rd and was diagnosed as brain dead until he proved everyone wrong. He spent 6 months, 7 days in the hospital and pediatric rehabilitation and continues to show his strength and determination everyday. So as a Grandma, I watch my son and his wife daily continue to amaze me with their courage, positive attitudes and love for their son. In so many ways you and your husband remind me of them. AMAZING PARENTS
ReplyDeleteContinuing to send prayers from WY to Brenna and you all also!
ReplyDeletePraying for you all, thakfully they checked her blood sugar. A couple years ago Cliff's mom acidentally took her son in laws diabteic medicine and it dropper her blood sugar and she was unrousable. They said she had a stoke and wouldn't come out of it. then they checked her blood sugar gave her some glucose and viola, she was awake, herself again. How is Brenna today? Will keep you all in my prayers.
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