Friday, November 13, 2009

an update on tripp

UPDATE:
It's not pneumonia. But you probably already know that. I've been doing dressing change, eating lunch, and force feeding my child, so I'm a little behind. Courtney posted that Tripp's lungs look really good. The reason he's having trouble breathing is because of all the mucousy secretions from his virus. His trach is getting clogged up. (That's my really "I don't know anything about anything" explanation.) Anyway, they are starting him on Atrovent to help dry up the secretions, but have to be careful not to dry him out too much. They are still in the ICU, and he did have another episode this morning, but Courtney says she knows what to look for now and how to help him before he gets in too much trouble. For her explanation (which is much better than mine), you can visit his Caring Bridge site.
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An update from Tripp's Caring Bridge:



Hey guys. Real quick update...Today Tripp was taking a nap and started breathing really heavy. I didn't think much of it.. just that he was probably in a deep sleep. Well, when he woke up, he was in a complete state of panic. Nothing was coming through the trach at all... he was making noise through his mouth but by trying REALLY hard to do so. His feet and hands started turning purple and I could tell by his face that something was not right. (Thank the GOOD LORD that my mom had just gotten there and I wasn't by myself). So we put him on the changing table... and within seconds, he was completely grey... everywhere- his mouth, face eyes... everything. There was no air coming out of the trach, so I took that one out and put a new one in. There was still no air coming out. By this time he was giving up and had closed his eyes. I shook him and they opened back for a second. I got the ambu bag and gave him some breaths through the trach. Still nothing. So I did it again. He was still moving some air through his mouth and had a pulse, so I knew breaths were the only thing I could do. Then I called 911. Soon after, he finally started breathing through the trach and starting getting color back. The paramedics came in about 10 minutes (Thank God I had gotten him back breathing). By then his oxygen was about 93% with blow-by oxygen ON. So they brought in to the Ochsner ER by ambulance. Yeah... not over yet. THEN, he had another one of the exact same episodes in the ER. Except this time, the nurses were just standing there watching ME try to unclog the trach (oh, by the way, they think he is doing that because he is getting mucous plugs in his trach because of the thick secretions he's having.. That OR pneumonia). Anyway, so going back to me being the doctor and the nurse and everything else.... there ya go. So when no one else would do ANYTHING.... I called my ENT (THANK THE GOOD LORD ABOVE FOR OUR ENT......... I COULD NOT HAVE A BETTER ONE. SHE IS AMAZING...She's not only Tripp's ENT, but MY therapist.) I called her cell and she LEFT HER HOUSE (which is close to the hospital, thank GOD) and was there in 5 minutes. She changed the trach out again and we got it unclogged. SOO... we are now in ICU and he is stable and breathing better. He is on oxygen and humidified air to try and thin out the secretions. Please continue to pray for him to get better and also for us not to catch anything else from this hospital!) I will try my best to keep you updated. I cannot express how grateful I am for all of you and for everyone's constant love and support. I know it's what is keeping me going. Thank you. Love you all. Courtney



Can you imagine? Can you imagine watching your child wake up and having to see that panicked look in his eyes? Can you imagine literally breathing for him until help arrives? And then, you go to the ER and it happens again, and the people you are trusting to care for your child are just STANDING THERE while YOU have to be the one saving your kid's life... because they DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.




That's one of the worst things about EB. Half the time, the people who are SUPPOSED to know, who are SUPPOSED to be able to help either just stand there or make matters worse. YOU, as the parent, literally hold your child's life in YOUR hands. It's up to you to nurse, doctor, educate. It's overwhelming, exhausting, and completely terrifying.




Please be in continued prayer for Tripp and his parents. We've only experienced a tiny fraction of what they have, and I know how scary it was for us. Please pray for strength, courage, perserverence, and of course healing.




Thanks. :)

23 comments:

Meghann said...

You hit the nail on the head with everything you wrote Patrice. Thanks for posting the prayer request last night, I told Leah to say a little prayer for her buddy. The first thing I did this morning was check Tripps page to see how he is. We'll all continue to pray for him and his parents.

melloss said...

I am Praying Hard for Him!Thank you for the update!!He is such a Cutie! And his Mommy is so so strong!She fights for him when he needs her to! I wish every Mother was like You all!! Tripp's Mommy Is Awesome!Thank God they have each other!!

Kathryn said...

What an awful thing to witness. I cannot even imagine. Holding Tripp and his parents CLOSE in my prayers

Linda said...

Always check how Jonah is doing and found out about Tripp. So scary for Courtney. Thank God she got a hold of her Dr.
Will keep Tripp in our prayers along with Leah, Jonah, Samantha, Daisy and all the other very special EB children out there. We have to find a cure and soon. Take care Patrice and give Jonah a hug from Leah's Nana.

Kelli said...

Praying!!!

Aimie said...

Praying right now!

The Slacker Mom said...

I have tears in my eyes reading this. I just cannot imagine. Bless you EB mothers ALL. Prayeing for little Trigg.

Mandy @ The Lucky 7 said...

No, I cannot imagine.

My husband and I read your blog and Tripp's Caring Bridge together last night and talked for a while about how wrong all of this is. I just can't understand it :(

I agree with Melissa, these boys are so blessed to have parents who can be so strong for them.

I'm praying for him.

Erin said...

No. I can not imagine. Wow.

Praying here!

Heather said...

So scary. Will continue to pray for little Tripp and his parents.

Wanda Wilkinson said...

Praying..left a message on the caring bridge site...also, sending thanks to God for his blessings.

Love,

Unknown said...

No, I can't even imagine what they are going through. Thankfully God put Tripp with the best parents possible for him. What a strong, awesome mommy he has! I have been thinking about and praying for them since I read your post last night. Thank you so much for keeping us updated on his condition.

j3k said...

Prayers for all..... I have learned through my daughters rare disease that I am usually doing the teaching in the ER. They have no clue how to treat her and I am walking them through the steps of care. Thank goodness us moms are so educated in the care of our kids!!!!!
Hearts and Hugs
Marie

Tracie said...

I am sending so many prayers up for Tripp! And as always, lots for Jonah!

Me, the boys and a Farm... said...

NO, I can not imagine...with tears in my eyes as I am writing this...I hope your family and Tripps family know you are on our minds, in our heart and prayers. EVERYDAY. I only wish there was more we could do for all of you...we love you...God bless you all...

Brandie said...

How incredibly terrifying. You are both such strong mothers...thankfully so! Keeping them in our prayers.

Jessica said...

Oh I'm so glad Tripp is doing better. I can't believe his mommy had to go thru that! My eyes started welling up at hearing that he was turning blue and starting giving up on breathing. I'm sending lots of prayers his way! And to little Jonah =)

Jessica said...

So very very scary! Praying he gets better soon and doesnt catch anything else!

Jes ♥ said...

Saying a little prayer that everything continues in a positive direction and that he gets much needed rest and strength!

What an scary situation to go through! It takes a strong woman and mother to go through something like that!

Michelle said...

Unfortunately, I can imagine. I watched my newborn stop breathing at home and gave him CPR all the way to the hospital. He never recovered from his injuries and died 3 days later.

God is still on the throne and He carried me through.

Thank you for posting the prayer request. I will be praying for Tripp and family with the fervency of someone who knows.

Blessings,
Michelle

*Mirage* said...

Poor little guy and his poor mommy! I was crying reading it. I will add him to my prayer list.

mrsrubly said...

o my goodness! i just got chills just thinking about tripp's mom ordeal. i can not fathom what she went through. this is just horrible to take your baby to the ER and they are just standing there letting momma do the work b/c they DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO! awful just awful. whehter he has EB or NOT it does not matter. poor baby and mom to have to go through this. i am still in prayer for all of ya'll! bonny n TX sending out TX size hugs and prayers!

dragonflyz in June said...

Oh Patrice, I can't imagine! I would feel like my world just turned on its axis if that happened to me. And to boot, your little one having a condition that many people, even in the medical profession, still don't know much about. I will pray for Tripp.

Peace and Blessings
Crystal