Bad to Worse

Day 53

Emma has continued to struggle these last few days.  She was moved from the ventilator to what's called an oscillating ventilator that doesn't even allow her to breathe regularly, but provides constant rapid pressure to keep her lungs continously opened.  She has also been at very high oxygen levels (up to 100%), so she is requiring very very high levels of support.  She has had numerous chest x-rays that have shown a part of her lung had collapsed.  It's possible that this had occurred initially and they had kept going up and up and her pressure and her support but basically staying a step behind her lungs.  It looks as if part of her lung had reinflated, but there is a remaining piece that they are not sure if it is still a partial collapse or an infection.  They did blood culture to test for infection, but have started her on IV antibiotics as a precaution.  Her glucose levels have been through the roof, which we are told is a natural response to stress by the body.  If it continues to stay exceedingly high, they may start her on an insulin drip. 

This has definitely the worst time Emma has gone through yet.  Even in the beginning, she had never had to be on the oscillator and require that much support.  Please continue to pray for Emma.