December 29th

Well it happened - I walked into Kristi's room this morning and she was off of the vent doing a trial breathing test. They put on a collar and just give her oxygen but no pressure support. Five hours into it and she is still doing great!!! They will try for 12 hours today and let her rest overnight. This is a huge accomplishment and we are ecstatic. Maybe she can start trying to talk in a few days; don't know about food as we flunked the jello test.

Also - the Doctor feels it is time to transfer her to a lower level of care and one that is better equipped to help with her physical rehab needs. They tell me it will take anywhere from 1 day to a week to get this done. We are looking at a hospital outside of San Jose which is much closer to home and Kristi is really excited to just "get on with things" and to have a change in scenery.

Its all good!!!! (And, it was really nice to write this one)
Love to all of you - K,J,M,S,M,S

December 26 - Day 43

Merry Christmas one day late!

We had the most wonderful Christmas imaginable. I put a small fake tree in Kristi's room and brought all of the family gifts up for opening. We had Steven, Mark and my Dad as well as us girls. Kristi felt well enough to put on her new PJs and to try on a new shirt that was also a gift. She was happy and smiling which was the best present that any of us could have asked for. It is more than wonderful to see her engage in life! We were very blessed to get to have a special dinner with some friends that have of Kristi's who have now adopted me too.

I had gotten her a new camera for her birthday so we played with that too - took some pictures and some videos and we are just getting ready for a friendly game of domino's (playing for pennies).

She is still on the ventilator but continues to build her strength and I no longer ask how much longer. I have learned - my impatient self -there are no time lines . I am hopeful that one day soon I will just walk into her room and it will be gone.

I sincerely hope that you all are having a magical holiday season!!!!!!!
Thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers and ongoing outreach - You will never know how much it has helped us all deal with these crazy days.

Love you all!!!!
Kristi, Jayme, Markie and Stevo

Wednesday -

Kristi has had two really good days in a row - YAHOO. She sat in a chair for a few hours today which is really good given how weak she is. We got a few smiles from her and she worked hard to breath without the vent. Yesterday she pulled out her trechea tube just to see if she could breath on her own so her doctor decided to let her try. She spent 12 hours today breathing with the vent on a "Spontanious" setting. What that means - she breaths on her own but the vent kicks in when she needs some extra help. She is completely off of all sedation drugs which they were using to keep her blood pressure under control and her blood pressure remained "normal" all day. The next step is to put a collar with a plug over the treachea tube. This will allow her to breath normally and maybe start trying to talk. If she gets into trouble we will just hook her back up to the machine. Most likely it will take her a few weeks to get her voice back completely and to have the strength to swallow real food.

On the lighter side - she threw a pillow at me when I came in this morning and she was hoping for a little jello as her Christmas treat and while we won't make that, she has realligned her goals to a few sentences of convfersation. She continues to try and communicate by writting notes using her left hand so her frustration level is a little elevated. (Must be off of the vent to talk) It is awesome to see Kristi starting to feel stronger and to engage in life a little!

Steven is flying in so we will all be together for Christmas. No doubt in my mind that this will be our most special Christmas ever!!!!!

Our prayer is that KN keeps moving forward with no more set backs.
Merry Merry!!!!
Lots of love

Tuesday - December 22

Still here with all of my new best friends and at the risk of jynxing ourselves, things appear to be linning up. I try not to focus on anything other than today because it sets us all up for disappointment but......jello on Christmas would be nice.

Kristi is still very sick and on full life support (which doesn't even scare me anymore) but it appears that there is progress in controling both the hemmoraging and her blood pressure. Also - they told me this morning that she is breathing over the vent which means that she is getting stronger and closer to weanning off of it. We have now been down that road 3 times which is definetely not the norm. Just maybe we are turning the corner - it has certainly been a long haul!!!

Merry Christmas to all of you and may this holiday season find all of you healthy and joyous!!!
Love from all of my family - Jayme

Monday -week 6

Hi all - More of the same today - just trying to find the balance of all of these crazy drugs. Kristi is on really high doses of pretizone to manage the bleeding in her lungs. This is causing her blood pressure to sky rocket to frightening levels. The sedation drugs that they give her to help with her blood pressure cause her to have hallucinations when she wakes up, which in tern drives her blood pressure up ...which causes the blood vessels to rupture... which causes the bleeding.....blah blah..blah..... the cycle continues.

Patience Patience Patience.
Pray Pray Pray.
Love Love Love.

Sunday

Its a holding day; slow and steady progress.
Here is what I have learned -
1. I forgot how to spell "Control" (I clearly have none)
2. Patience -Never enough of that
3. Laughing with a good friend cleanses and refreshes and lightens the heart
4. Walking - keeps your feet on the ground and is especially effective if you have a few fuuny dogs to help you smile
5. Prayers work

Love you all

Saturday Morning

Kristi is much better this morning and the bleeding seems to be under control if not stopped. Things were very scary yesterday and became critical in the late afternoon. Good news - she has reacted quickly and better than expected to the new treatments. Her doctor thinks that the higher doseages of steroids have really helped her. We are going to keep her heavily sedated for the next few days so that she stays very still and her blood pressure stays low, and we give her the optimal situation for healing those lungs.
Thanks for the continued well wishes and prayers - where would we be without them!!! Love to all and Happy Holidays!!! I think that we will have the best Christmas ever even though we will spend it in the hospital.
LOL - K, J, M,M,S,S

Friday - Day 35

Five full weeks and we are still in ICU and still on the ventilator. The good news is that all organs except the lungs are fully functioning - YAHOO. I look back at how far we have come and feel truly blessed.

Now if we can just get those lungs to line up... Kristi continues to suffer from a condition called AARS combined with pulmonary hypertension which is causing her lungs to hemorrhage . The pulmonary hypertension was caused by the ARDS too (such a vicious circle) She started taking a turn for the worse yesterday. She is now heavily sedated which has brought her blood pressure down and we are trying some new drugs to help control the bleeding - mostly higher dosages of steroids. They are also giving her platelets and a few units of blood. (ARDS means Acute Respitory Distress Syndrom)

It is 9:30 PM and she is stable, resting comfortably and her labs look surprisingly good. Her blood pressure and oxygen saturation are all much better. We will evaluate again tomorrow but for now she is getting some much needed rest. All of her doctors and nurses are very optimistic because of how quickly Kristi has reacted to the new treatments.

I beleive that she will be much better within 48 hours. Thanks for the prayers - we still need them!!! Lots of love - from all of my family!!!!!

Wednesday - week 5

I'm watching the finale of "So you think you can Dance" - I love that show. Mark came down to stay with Kristi so that I could come home for a day and take a much needed break. It felt great to go to work even if only for a day, also nice to talk about something other than sickness for a bit!!! I wish I didn't feel so guilty about not being there. (sounds like a personal problem)

It is such a roller coaster though I am getting used to the pattern of a few good days and then a few that are not so. On the days that aren't so good I tell myself that tomorrow will be better - and it usually is! Today, unfortunately was not so good - but today's "Not so Good" was way better than last week's "Not so Good!!!! Kristi was running a fever again today and having some issues with her trachea tube so she didn't get to do her PT or get out of bed. She is also in quarantine until they know more about this new infection. You can still visit but you need to put on a gown, mask and gloves.

She is very hungry and testy and actually threw something at me yesterday when I wouldn't give her any more ice- I loved it! I'm betting that Kristi stands tomorrow!!!
Love you all - Jayme

Tuesday December 15

We are having a good day today. While there is some pain with the trach tube it is still a positive thing. The nurse came in and went over her labs with us and everything seems to be moving in the right direction. Her lungs have opened up significantly in the last two days and expanded to about 70% capacity. Also her white count is down so it looks like the infection is under control.
With the trach we can be much more agressive about weening off of the vent and we began that process this morning. She is sitting up and trying to move as much as she can - streching her shoulders, shaking her legs etc. They keep telling her that movement is her new best friend and she has taken it to heart.

I'm not sure that I will ever be able to convey how wonderful and important for our healing, your outpouring of support has been!!!! Lots of love - Kristi, Jayme, Mark and Steve

Monday -week 5

Kristi is still in ICU and we are patiently waiting for her lungs to heal and strengthen. She is still on the ventilator so we are going to move forward and put the trachea tube in this afternoon. It is a simple surgical procedure and not only will she be more comfortable but is easier to wean off of. She is looking forward to this and sees it as a positive step. She is very bored and wants to talk and have a milkshake (talking will come first). The highlight of her day is physical therapy - she does some exercises and they help her to a chair and she is able to sit for 2-3 hours at a time. Today she is working on standing.

Thanks to all of you for the birthday wishes, gifts, cards and visits!!! You made her day and while communicating is difficult for her, she wanted me tell you how much she appreciates all of your efforts!!! (She still can't talk because of the tube and her hands are shaking so badly from the steroids that it is difficult for her to text. Also she has some paralysis in her right hand)
Lots of love and thank you for your continued prayers. We are hoping that Kristi will be ready to transfer closer to home before Christmas.

Kristi and Jayme

Thursday

We are hanging tough on this crazy rollercoaster ride! Kristi is fighting her heart out and we are hoping that the antibiotics kick in soon. We received some of the lab reports back today and she has a staff infection that has spread to her lungs. It started at the dialysis port which we have now taken out. At least now they can target and strengthen the antibiotics. She is very weak and because she is on mega doses of steroids for her lungs, her immune system is shot.

The good news is her kidneys seem to be kicking in which is great! They told me four weeks and we are one day shy of that - can't believe that we are still in the ICU. She is definetly down in the dumps and her birthday is Sunday - if you are close by and can visit I know that it would really cheer her up

Thank you for your continued prayers and well wishes.
Love and Happy Holidays - The Nunn Family

Tuesday - December 8

I have been thinking of what to write today but it has been an especially hard day. Unfortunately Kristi is back on the ventilator. Not sure what is going on - she is running a fever and there is blood in her lungs, looks like an infection. The doctor just did a scope and sent samples to the lab and we will know more tomorrow. Her spirits are low but tomorrow will be a better day!!! Time for some luck to kick in for Kristi and I just need to be patient.
Thanks for the prayers.
Love Jayme
PS Just had a baby earth quake

Sunday Evening

We are making progress - slow but steady. Kristi has been getting out of bed and sitting in a chair for a few hours everyday. She can't walk and has lots of PT work due to the paralyses her right side. She works with them everyday as well as a speech therapist who is helping her get her vocal cords engaged and to swallow. Still struggling to strengthen her lungs - they remain partially collapsed but they should open up as she gets stronger and is able to move more. Her spirits are pretty good - sometimes I think that she remembers a lot but other times not so much. We have been reading the news on-line and working on Sudoku. Her goal is to be walking a few steps by herself by her birthday(a week from today) It is amazing how weak she has gotten in 3 weeks! Hard work, patience and prayers!! Love you! Jayme

Friday - Day 21

YAHOO!!!! We got the ventilator out!!!! Kristi is smiling!!!!

From Kristi

These are Kristi's words to all of you
-written on paper using her left hand

Thank you! I want to say so much more but it is difficult for me to communicate. I have been reading the blog and your comments. Thank you again for praying for me and sending so many well wishes. I love the cards too!!! Love to all - Kristi

Day 20

A much better day! Still on the vent but Kristi is sitting up in a chair. She was strong enough to stand and hold herself up in a sitting position. Doesn't sound like much it really was given that she has been laying on her belly and face for the last three days. So much atrophy in such a short time. They rolled her over today and she held her own. Still way down on the vent settings. Maybe we can start the weening process tomorrow!! Cross you fingers! Love Jayme

A better Day

The last few days - especially yesterday, have been really scary but I am happy to say that today was much better. Lots of issues with her lungs but they seem to be getting stronger. Yesterday they had the vent turned as high as possible and today it so low that she is breathing mostly on her own. She was suffering from Acute Adult Respitory Syndrom which is fairly common with people that spend time on ventalators. They turned her on her tummy and this seems to have helped more than anything. It is very uncomfortable with so many tubes and she is highly sedated. The plan is to start weening off of the sedation and roll her over in the morning. Seems like such a simple thing and I am trying to understand the risks - i.e. why didn't they didn't they do this sooner. They have not been able to feed her through an IV or a stomach tube and she complains that she is hungry. Can't wait to feed her whole avacados and strawberry milkshakes
I am understanding that every treatment has side effects and this one doesn't always work as well as it has with her. Chaulk it up to youth!!!
Love you all!!! Jayme

Week 3 - Monday day 17

Whew hard to write that "Day 17". We were definetly thinking that we would be out of ICU by now but no such luck. Kristi is really struggeling with her breathing and is slipping backwards. They just did a proceedure called a bioscope where they put a scope in her lungs -they were hoping to find some blockage that could be extracted but that was not to be. We are waiting for lab results - but it is hard to beleive that there could be an infection given how much antibiotics she is on. We will move to plan "B"and see if other treatments might help her. Definitely a multi-pronged approach and I have got to believe that something will work.

I am continually told to be patient as the healing process is slow and she is really sick- easier said than done! Not only does she have fluids in her lungs but there is fluid outside of her lungs that is causing them to collapse. There are also signs of aspiration in her lungs and they will try another type of vent tube to prevent that from happening again.

They are going to put a new dialysis catheter in this afternoon - it a simple surgical procedure and hopefully the dialysis will remove some of the fluids surrounding her lungs so that they can inflate.

Other than her lungs everything else is moving in the right direction. Blood Chemistry looks lots better, liver looks good and it appears that the kidneys are kicking in.

Thank you for your continued prayers!!! Much Love Jayme, Kristi, Steven, Mark, Mark, Sharron (LOL)

Saturday - Week 3

We begin week 3 and it is hard to believe all that Kn has achieved and endured. Unfortunately they had to put her back on the vent on wednesday because she just wasn't strong enough to clear the fluids from her lungs on her own. Since then her strong will and tenacity have kicked into high gear. She asked for a portable vent so that she could get out of bed and sit in a chair and has had the PT group up as much as they will come. She stayed sitting up until they made her go back to bed and she wasn't happy about that . They made a brace for her right hand to keep it from curling and they told her with PT she should get feeling and movement back though most likely it will take a year. They have told her that movement is critical to getting healthy and she has definitely taken it to heart!!!!

They were talking about getting her off of the vent today but now it doesn't look like it. They are doing a needle extraction of the fluids in her lungs (a minor and low risk procedure) and will take her into surgery later this afternoon to put in a permanent dialysis port. They DO feel that her kidneys will kick-in in the next few weeks and that there will be no permanent damage. She says she is hungry - a milkshake please!!!!

The doctors have told us that this is a long process and that there will be occasional set backs. Her long term prognosis is good so we pray for patience!!!

Her Dad is with her and she is very happy about that. He seems to be able to motivate her better than I can. I got to come home for a few days but am going back tomorrow. It felt great to sleep in my own bed and pet the puppys!

I am going to check out a long-term care facility close to home and hopefully we will be able to move her there when she is ready to move out of critical care.

Thanks to all for your love and support. It has really helped us through this difficult time- I share them all Kristi too. XOXO Jayme

Wednesday 11/25 Day 12

Today has been an interesting day. Kristi had a really good morning - ate a little and even got out of bed. She is bored so I went to find her something to do and also grab her some miso soup. When I returned, she had had some problems breathing and couldn't get the mucus out of her lungs. She is back on the ventaltor and is very sad. The only good thing is that she is back on versed so won't remember. We will try again in a few days. Her white blood count is high so they are taking her down for a CT scan in a little while.
She has gone forward at such a fast pace that a step backwards is understandable and almost to be expected. I know that she will be well again soon.
I hope that you are all enjoying friends and family and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! Hugs and prayers to all of you!.
Love, Jayme

Tuesday November 24

Cruising along; has it really been 11 days? They finally took her off of the ventilator yesterday and she is much more comfortable. I think she was a little apprehensive since it's been her life support for so long. She has pneumonia and it was one of the conditions she had when this whole thing started. As we get her sitting up and moving, and with the mega antibiotics that she is on, we are hoping that this condition will start to clear up. Still minimal kidney function but they say it will come and may take up to 2-3 weeks. She is very hungry and wants a milkshake - a very good sign. They have a throat specialist scheduled to come by today evaluate condition and assuming she is OK, she may get some jello for starters. At some point we are going to have to start stuffing her with avocados morning, noon and night. Also - she wants out of that bed and physical therapy will be back again today to evaluate. They did get her sitting up yesterday and she is physically stronger than anyone expected. Maybe they'll be able to get her sitting up in a chair some time soon. More dialysis again today.

She is fully aware and definitely knows where she has come from. She is really really scared and is afraid to go to sleep. She has so much to work through in that young mind of hers - it is an understatement to say she has had a life altering experience!

Today I pray for a chubby kid who pees. ( I am so deranged!)
Love you all - Happy Thanksgiving! From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for the love, support and prayers!!!!

Sunday

Just watching the Broncos - whats up with them? Loosing to San Diego -bummer.
Lots of waiting for KN. We thought that she would be off the vent by today but the fluid is building up in her lungs. They are going to try and pull some of the fluids out using a needle and hopefully that will help her . She is down to less than 30% lung capacity. The good news is, the lungs that she does have are really strong and she continues to make progress weaning herself down on the vent. She is struggling with the lungs because of the phnamonia that she had when she came in.

They did five days of dialyzes and she is taking a break today. Still no kidney function but they tell us that it will come. She is complaining that she is hungry - a great sign.
Not sure how long we will be here but at least through this week. We are going to transfer closer to home as soon as she is out of ICU. They are telling me to expect 4-6 weeks of hospitalization.
Keep up the pee prayers!!! Lots of Love - Jayme

Saturday

Kristi keeps on working. They take her off of all sedation drugs during the day as well as turn the vent down/off for as long as she can take it. She gets paniked and feels like she can't breath . It is heart wrentching to watch but she has this amazing nurse ( the tough love type) who tells her to buck up and get it done. We are hoping to get her off of the vent -cross your fingers - maybe .tomorrow. For those of you who know Kristi, you know a fiesty little thing she can be -her hands are tied after she pulled out her feeding tube - but man can she stomp those fingers and kick her one foot. She is dealing with some paralzsis on one side which is not uncommon given how hard they had to squeeze her veins to keep up blood pressure. There is no reason to think that she won't get the feeling back and the circulation appears to be returning to normal. The body is such an amazing system and given her age, all should ok in time. We are currently looking at a 4-6 week hospital stay and as soom as she is out of ICU we will try and get her closer to home which will certainly make me feel better.

I know that I have said this before - but thank you all for your ongoing well wishes and prayers. If I ever doubted the power of prayer before I never will again. No doubt in my mind - IT WORKS. Love you all and Happy Thanksgiving. (So much to be thankful for)

Friday - Day 7

Has it really been a week? Still making progress. She tried so hard to get off of the vent but wasn't strong enough. They are doing a test as we speak but it doesn't look like that will happen so maybe tomorrow. The breathing tube is horribly uncomfortable for her.

She is coming back to us though -such a fighter -she pulled her feeding tube out OOPS. They will put is back in later. Day 4 of dialysis - still looking for some kidney function. Keep the "Pee Prayers" coming

Healing is slow and they keep telling my to be patient. I'm trying.

Love you all!!! Jayme

Thursday Morning - What a great day! Its is almost 9am and already Kristi has done so much work and made huge strides!!! Today she will have another dyalsis and they will work to get her off of the Ventilator and possibly out of bed. Her heart rate is exceptional, BP is strong and the "Pee Prayers" seem to be working. Baby steps all in the right direction!!! Still to soon to know how long we will be here but everything is going in the right directio

Last night we opened cards which she really enjoyed - Almost got a smile and definetly a "thats cute"



Its a beautiful sunny day and we feel your outpouring of love and support. We are so thankful to be surrounded by so many amazing friends!!!!

Love! Jayme, Krisit, Steven, Mark, Markie, Sharron, Phyllis, Shelley, Kurt, Cort, Grampa Ray(LOL Just got a chuckel out of writting that)

Day 4 - new post
Kristi, I, and all of her family feel the love, prayers and communications- can't tell you how much it has helped!!!!!
YAHOO - Just talked to the doctor - She is so much better. His comments - She is going to be ok! They are going to start weening her off of the ventalator. If anyone wants to send cards the address is
Tri Counties Community Hospital
1100 Las Tablas Road
Templeton, CA 93465

KN Loves funny cards!

I'm off for a much needed shower and nap. Love Jayme

Day 4 - Wednesday - Kristi continues to surprise all of her medical team with her resiliency. Yesterday was sort of a holding day. Rest and no backward. They took her out of the coma - she is coherent and able to communicate via nods and blinks. Still has the breathing tube but she has made huge strides in last 4-6 hours. Most importantly, her blood gases and platelets show significant improvement. The doctors and nurses are all smiling so I am too!!!
Keep praying - lots of work ahead of us!!!!
Love from us

Kristis address

Her is the address:

Kristina Nunn

C/O Twin Cities Community Hospital

Critical Care Unit

1100 Las Tablas Road

Templeton, CA 93465

Day 3

We continue with baby steps forward. Just started her dialysis and are shooting for 3 hours. This should help get some toxins out of her blood and allow them to add some much needed electrolytes. Also they are begin feeding her -also a good thing.

Moving forward one day at a time!!! Love the prayers.
We can't have flowers but cards would be great. We can have a celebration of sorts when she wakes up and read them all to her.

Many thanks from all of us - we definitely feel your love and so does Kristi!!!
Jayme

11/17: Dialysis

Just starting dialysis - Yahoo. Lots of work still ahead us and we are taking baby steps forward. All forward is good!! Don't ignore infections - septic poising is deadly! Prayers have power thank you all and please don't stop. Visit caringtree.com -we are going to set up a page there and keep you all posted.