Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Raymond decision - pushing on

It looks like things are improving for Raymond. He is no longer acedotic and his white count is way up. His ventilator settings are stable. However he is peeing very little as they think he is still bleeding internally into his tissues and so perversely is dehydrated even though he is starting to puff up from all the extra fluids they are giving him to keep him alive. That said it seems like he may have turned the corner and may be recovering from the infection and they will soon find a better antibiotic to treat it.

Raymond is fighting! Pictures, Images and Photos

However, the Drs here have advised that the damage may already be done. Clinically he has suffered from gram negative sepsis and DIC leading to pulmonary hemmorage. His brain was scanned yesterday and was normal (no bleeds) but it is possible that he may already or will be severely impaired due to micro necrotosis of brain tissue due to the acedosis or bleed. There is no way to pick that up now and probably won't be for a month.

Christie and my greatest fear is that any of our children suffer from a serious debilitation/impairment that would adversely affect their quality of life. So this is a serious risk for us.

However in speaking with several of the attendings as well as our good friend and Neonatologist, Bob, we feel that at this time we want to do everything possible for him and see where this goes. Basically we knew we were in the grey zone when we had these babies and while this sign isn't a good one it doesn't meaningfully change things so we want to stay the course until at least we get more information and at best he turns things around.

3 comments:

Heather said...

Ted and Christie I can't imagine how hard this is on you. I really hope things improve a lot tomorrow. Its so great that Sofia and Daniel are doing well but I know there will be no comfort for you until all 3 are progressing. Thank you for updating the blog, I am always thinking of you guys and its nice to see how you're all doing without having to bother you.

Kate said...

I am keeping you guys and your beautiful kids in my thoughts and prayers. I've been following your blog since Ralph told me about it, and I'm pulling for the little guy!

Lisa said...

I am praying and praying and praying....