For all of you who thought Brittany would get a little break, no such luck. It sounds like they aren't wasting any time at Duke getting her up and working out.
She started physical therapy a few days ago, and that is going pretty well. She is getting out of bed some now and they hope to have her walking some today or tomorrow. All her numbers are still good and the doctors are happy with where she is at.
Soon she will be checking out all the places around Duke under her own steam! John would suggest that you check out the "tub" room!
Our Beautiful Brittany
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Better Digs!
I chatted briefly with Brad this morning and was promised an e-mail for all the faithful blog readers. Alas, I have said e-mail.
Things are going pretty good. Brit was moved out of the ICU this evening and she is now on their step-down floor, room #7814. She is adjusting to having the trach and being on the ventilator as well as anyone had expected. They did find that she has C-Dif, which is causing her some stomach pain and fevers, but she has been on the anti-biotics to clear that up now for two days. Hopefully that will soon be under control and she will feel somewhat better.
Now that she is finally on the step-down floor, physical therapy is about to begin in full force. Her doctors talked with her some about what to expect from the physical therapists. Although the task seems daunting, Brittany is ready for the challenge. She knows that it is what she needs to do to get ready for transplant, and she knows that her family and friends are behind her 100%. I know that she will have some bad days ahead, but I know that she has the determination to succeed in getting herself in conditon for transplant.
I would like to thank everyone for all the wonderful and positive comments that have been posted. And most of all for all of their thoughts and prayers.
Good Work Brittany! We can't wait to hear from you!!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
All Quiet on the Eastern Front
Just a short, sweet update today via Brad.
Today was a relative quiet day for all of us, they gave Brit time to just rest and adjust to the trach today.
A girl has to have her rest sometimes!! Rest up Brittany, it sounds like you will be getting your workouts soon enough!
Monday, March 23, 2009
A Little Tidbit + More
This will be short as I will hopefully get more of an update via Brad, but here's what he sent so far
The trach is in. The docs said everything went well. Brit is awake and communicating with her tablet and even is smiling.
More later.
Great News indeed, can't wait to get more out to you!!
3:45 PST: More from Brad:
Brit had the trach procedure done in her ICU room today at 1:30 EST. As I said earlier the procedure went well. She is awake and is in the best spirits that I have seen her in the last few days. The positive news since being on the ventilator is that her CO level in her blood is at 56, down from 92 when she was placed on the ventilator. She is also moving good volumes of air through her lungs this afternoon, even better than yesterday. Another positive!!!
From what I can gather from the doctors is that she will be in the ICU for another few days, maybe longer while they see how see is doing with the trach. From there they will move her down to what they call 7200 (the floor for pulmonary patients on a ventilator) where they will begin to work hard on her physical therapy and nutrition level. Although being on a ventilator is a scary situation, I believe Brittany is doing as well, if not better than anyone anticipated. She is definitely a fighter.
The trach is in. The docs said everything went well. Brit is awake and communicating with her tablet and even is smiling.
More later.
Great News indeed, can't wait to get more out to you!!
3:45 PST: More from Brad:
Brit had the trach procedure done in her ICU room today at 1:30 EST. As I said earlier the procedure went well. She is awake and is in the best spirits that I have seen her in the last few days. The positive news since being on the ventilator is that her CO level in her blood is at 56, down from 92 when she was placed on the ventilator. She is also moving good volumes of air through her lungs this afternoon, even better than yesterday. Another positive!!!
From what I can gather from the doctors is that she will be in the ICU for another few days, maybe longer while they see how see is doing with the trach. From there they will move her down to what they call 7200 (the floor for pulmonary patients on a ventilator) where they will begin to work hard on her physical therapy and nutrition level. Although being on a ventilator is a scary situation, I believe Brittany is doing as well, if not better than anyone anticipated. She is definitely a fighter.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
What are the Chances?
If you don't believe we live in a small world, you might after you hear this. I decided to go to one of my favorite places, Starbucks. I'm standing in line contemplating what I might have when I notice a blue leg with a huge pocket near it's ankle. I look up and realize it was Brittany's Airlift Northwest flight nurse, Barbara, standing in line in front of me.
I called out to her, "hey you were Brittany's nurse!" She turned around and gave me a huge hug and asked how Brittany was. She said she was just thinking and telling her co-worker about the flight. She said Brit did so well and that she thought Brittany was an amazing girl. Barbara remarked about how concerned Brittany was for the well being of the others on the flight. When they stopped in South Dakota to refuel, they were given some hot meals and Brittany made sure to ask if they had remembered to give the pilots some food. She shared her candy with everyone. That's our Brittany, always thinking about others!
Brittany has a lot of people pulling for her, even those who have only been in contact with her for a short time. Everyone she meets instantly sees the special person that she is and can't help but send good thoughts and wishes her way!
I called out to her, "hey you were Brittany's nurse!" She turned around and gave me a huge hug and asked how Brittany was. She said she was just thinking and telling her co-worker about the flight. She said Brit did so well and that she thought Brittany was an amazing girl. Barbara remarked about how concerned Brittany was for the well being of the others on the flight. When they stopped in South Dakota to refuel, they were given some hot meals and Brittany made sure to ask if they had remembered to give the pilots some food. She shared her candy with everyone. That's our Brittany, always thinking about others!
Brittany has a lot of people pulling for her, even those who have only been in contact with her for a short time. Everyone she meets instantly sees the special person that she is and can't help but send good thoughts and wishes her way!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Waiting Game
Update time for all the fans of Brit! What a long week it has been, for those of us who love and support Brittany. I've got an update from Brad via his blackberry. Thank goodness for technology :) What would we do without it??
She is resting comfortably on the ventilator, initiating the breaths herself, not the machine.
The trach was put on hold until Monday so that her blood thinners would be out of her system for surgery.
Many of you know that Brittany, in the fall, initially had some problems with her port getting blood clots in and near the end of the line. They have since corrected the problem by putting a new port-a-cath line in which delivers IV medication to her system without the continuous poke of a needle. She is able to go seven days using the same port needle.
Port-a-caths are life savers for individuals whose veins aren't very good for IV's. Brit and I share a common love for our ports...bonded by the craziest things. She takes blood thinners to help keep the line from getting clotted. She also twice a week, gets a solution put into her line and left there for an hour to help keep the line clear.
As her family anxiously awaits the day when the surgery takes place, please send comments of encouragement and support their way!
She is resting comfortably on the ventilator, initiating the breaths herself, not the machine.
The trach was put on hold until Monday so that her blood thinners would be out of her system for surgery.
Many of you know that Brittany, in the fall, initially had some problems with her port getting blood clots in and near the end of the line. They have since corrected the problem by putting a new port-a-cath line in which delivers IV medication to her system without the continuous poke of a needle. She is able to go seven days using the same port needle.
Port-a-caths are life savers for individuals whose veins aren't very good for IV's. Brit and I share a common love for our ports...bonded by the craziest things. She takes blood thinners to help keep the line from getting clotted. She also twice a week, gets a solution put into her line and left there for an hour to help keep the line clear.
As her family anxiously awaits the day when the surgery takes place, please send comments of encouragement and support their way!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Minor Set Back?
Brittany had a minor set back today. Her blood gases were the highest they've been and the Doctors at Duke became very concerned. She was pretty groggy and out of it, so they decided to move forward by putting her on a ventilator until they can do surgery to place a tracheostomy.
Brit is now on the ventilator. The procedure went extremely well according to the doctors and she is resting comfortably now. Their plan is to place the trach tomorrow and remove the tube from her throat. Once the trach is in place they will lower the sedation medication and wake her up. This is just a beginning of a long journey for Brit, which I am confident she will be determined to make. It sounds like a few days after the trach is in place they will begin her rigorous physical therapy, and hopefully she will be moved out of the ICU unit shortly after that. (Much better visitation policy on the unit floors)
We all know how determined Brit can be, so I am sure this will just be a minor blip in her steps toward getting her new lungs. As Brad has described to me, the tracheostomy will allow Brittany to start her physical therapy, so that her body will be better equipped for the transplant.
I have to steal a line my husband, John, wrote to Brad that sums up these procedures quite nicely "I compared this sort of stuff to things such as the port or an IV. They are merely tools of the trade with a variety of uses under very diverse circumstances. " Well put and so true!
***Thanks for the photos, Michelle! I can't wait to post more!
Brit is now on the ventilator. The procedure went extremely well according to the doctors and she is resting comfortably now. Their plan is to place the trach tomorrow and remove the tube from her throat. Once the trach is in place they will lower the sedation medication and wake her up. This is just a beginning of a long journey for Brit, which I am confident she will be determined to make. It sounds like a few days after the trach is in place they will begin her rigorous physical therapy, and hopefully she will be moved out of the ICU unit shortly after that. (Much better visitation policy on the unit floors)
We all know how determined Brit can be, so I am sure this will just be a minor blip in her steps toward getting her new lungs. As Brad has described to me, the tracheostomy will allow Brittany to start her physical therapy, so that her body will be better equipped for the transplant.
I have to steal a line my husband, John, wrote to Brad that sums up these procedures quite nicely "I compared this sort of stuff to things such as the port or an IV. They are merely tools of the trade with a variety of uses under very diverse circumstances. " Well put and so true!
***Thanks for the photos, Michelle! I can't wait to post more!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Status Update
For all you fans out there, here is a brief update via Brad!
Brittany is doing well, she seems to be adjusting to things quicker than I thought she would. It is a different world out here compared to Children's. I guess it is the pediatric vs. adult hospital that is so much different for not only her but me as well. Strict visiting hours for the ICU that parents have to follow.
The tests seem to be going along great. They have not come across anything yet that would exclude her from further evaluation. Her physical condition is so far the only area of concern. In their experience, patients that have gone through their pt program have much better results post transplant.
It sounds like they are going to whip our girl into shape and she will soon be running circles around the rest of us. Keep up the good work Brit!
Brittany is doing well, she seems to be adjusting to things quicker than I thought she would. It is a different world out here compared to Children's. I guess it is the pediatric vs. adult hospital that is so much different for not only her but me as well. Strict visiting hours for the ICU that parents have to follow.
The tests seem to be going along great. They have not come across anything yet that would exclude her from further evaluation. Her physical condition is so far the only area of concern. In their experience, patients that have gone through their pt program have much better results post transplant.
It sounds like they are going to whip our girl into shape and she will soon be running circles around the rest of us. Keep up the good work Brit!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Duke Bound!!!
Brittany is on her way to Duke via Airlift Northwest!! She was in great spirits and looked fantastic and strong. They had a short delay as it is not customary to get discharged from the hospital straight from the ICU, but nothing Brittany does is ordinary!!
She will have about a five hour flight with a touch down to refuel somewhere along the way. She is accompanied by two very competent flight nurses, two pilots, her Mom Michelle and Dad Brad. She was on a stretcher that had been specially outfitted with the greatest piece of egg crate foam that could be found, LOL. She was able to sit in her favorite position, cross legged, while being strapped down. She looked comfortable and they continued to load her stretcher with pieces of equipment needed for the flight. As always, Brittany was thinking about others as they were suggesting that they might have to consolidate luggage, she didn't want either of her parents to be without their things. The nurses decided they would stuff undies in their pockets and share a toothbrush if they needed too, so that everyone could take their things.
Many of her former doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists all made visits to the ICU to wish her well. She will be missed, but not forgotten as she moves forward on her journey towards good health. She will surely make an impact on her new Health Care team as they get to know her as well as the great team at Children's.
Please help us get the word out and pass this site along to your friends and family!!
She will have about a five hour flight with a touch down to refuel somewhere along the way. She is accompanied by two very competent flight nurses, two pilots, her Mom Michelle and Dad Brad. She was on a stretcher that had been specially outfitted with the greatest piece of egg crate foam that could be found, LOL. She was able to sit in her favorite position, cross legged, while being strapped down. She looked comfortable and they continued to load her stretcher with pieces of equipment needed for the flight. As always, Brittany was thinking about others as they were suggesting that they might have to consolidate luggage, she didn't want either of her parents to be without their things. The nurses decided they would stuff undies in their pockets and share a toothbrush if they needed too, so that everyone could take their things.
Many of her former doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists all made visits to the ICU to wish her well. She will be missed, but not forgotten as she moves forward on her journey towards good health. She will surely make an impact on her new Health Care team as they get to know her as well as the great team at Children's.
Please help us get the word out and pass this site along to your friends and family!!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Come Join In
Hi Everyone!!
This is a place to come read about the goings on with Brittany and her journey to great health. Many of you know she has been here at Seattle Children's for a long time. Her journey is taking a turn, with an upcoming trip to Duke University for an evaluation for a possible double lung transplantation.
We will try to keep everyone informed via this site, as it is difficult for Brittany or her support team to answer every call, text or e-mail.
Please support her with your positive comments and fond memories of the good old times and the great times yet to come.
This is a place to come read about the goings on with Brittany and her journey to great health. Many of you know she has been here at Seattle Children's for a long time. Her journey is taking a turn, with an upcoming trip to Duke University for an evaluation for a possible double lung transplantation.
We will try to keep everyone informed via this site, as it is difficult for Brittany or her support team to answer every call, text or e-mail.
Please support her with your positive comments and fond memories of the good old times and the great times yet to come.
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