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.