Tuesday in the PICU

Hi. Well, not much new here. We are trying very hard to not get too frustrated, but it is definitely getting challenging. There is no light at the end of the tunnel yet and that is very hard to live with each day. Today Harlie had a CT scan of her chest. They really wanted to do one with contrast, but Harlie’s veins have had it, and have shut down. They struggled for 2 days to try to get an IV in one of her arms, but no luck. She had an IV in her foot, but with her new circulation, the dye will not make it to her lungs to get a picture. So the dye must be injected in her upper extremities. After the expert from NICU couldn’t get it in, they said they would have to do it without contrast and hope for the best. It wasn’t long after that, that the IV in her foot shut down. Luckily, she was done with her IV antibiotics, so they are going to give her a break and not put in another IV until absolutely necessary.

I am officially tired of seeing them stick her. She has been through enough.Unfortunately, the CT scan wasn’t that helpful without the contrast. She still has a lot of fluid in her left lung and they aren’t sure what it is or where it is coming from. They are trying to up her Lasix to dry her out a bit and if that doesn’t work, then they will have to drain it with a needle.

Clearly, she will not be home by Easter. I am really ready for us to make some good progress. Hopefully something good will happen soon.Well, thank you for your continued prayers and good thoughts. I hope all is well with you.

Take care,
Christy