It’s been 7 weeks since Kelsey's last open heart surgery, a mitral tissue valve replacement. Since then, our Christmas prayers and New Years wishes have been replaced with again some very tragic news.
Kelsey's recovery from this surgery has been more complicated and daily we have watched and looked into Kelsey's eyes and seen her slip further away. Constant questions and meetings with her Doctors have been met with very little or no explanations. Kelsey to this point has remained in the cardiac intensive care unit at Boston Children’s Hospital. A baby so full of hope and in many times full of happiness before these turn of events:
She has been fed through continuous intravenous feedings (parenteral nutrition) and withdrawing from sedative medications, while fighting a septic blood infection from her broviac line, her face now disfigured by swelling, her sweet baby sounds and beautiful smile have been gone for weeks, replaced by constant grunting, vomiting and looks of constant confusion and despair. Those who haven’t seen her in recent weeks all have the same response, "What happened to Kelsey?"
Kelsey’s ammonia level which is a product of protein metabolism was 255, normal is 30 - 55. Kelsey was slipping into a coma in front of the ICU Doctor’s eyes. Medication for treatment was started immediately, but this news brought on more diagnostic tests. On Tuesday of this week a brain CAT scan showed a subdural hematoma, bleeding into her intracranial space... new or old or both, difficult for the neurosurgeons to say. On that same day, John and Lisa were pressured to do a cardiac cath, the risks explained, the consent signed, they waited. The results of the cardiac cath brought about tragic news - Kelsey has a paravalvular leak, not a leak from the valve, but a leak from the sutures connecting the valve to her heart. The answers to the questions that John and Lisa had been seeking for the last three weeks had been answered in one day. However, not all the questions are answered, we are now waiting for the same Miracle Worker that has saved her life many times before, to tell us what the next steps are in trying to save Kelsey’s life...
Please continue to pray for Kelsey, we know she is ultimately in God’s hands, but for now, she is in the hands of the Boston Children’s Hospital fighting for her life…
Kelsey will be having her surgery this Monday, January 10th at noon.
ReplyDeleteRich and Janet send prayers for successful surgery. For strength for Lisa, John, and Kelsey. And for God's love to guide the doctors' hands.
ReplyDeleteJust heard from family via text message: Kelsey's surgery just completed. Dr. DelNido repaired paravalvular leak and widened her superior vena cava. Surgery successful and she came off of heart/lung bypass well. Thank you for praying! :)
ReplyDeletePlease continue to pray for her completed recovery and healing. Thank you!
Prayers still coming your way recovery for Kelsey and continued strength for John, Lisa, and Kelsey. May you have more and more reasons to smile every day.
ReplyDeleteWe are a group of ten women from Crossroads Church in Haverhill and meet for prayer and bible study every other Thursday. Your little
ReplyDeleteKelsey caught the attention of one of the women and has now caught the heart of our group. Please know that we have committed to keeping you and your family in prayer. Most importantly,
please remember that God keeps you in the palm of His hand.
Know that Rich and I continue to think of John, Lisa, and Kelsey. In my prayers, I ask that Kelsey has a full recovery, and that you ALL have the strength to stay positive through this tough, tough battle. Blessings.
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