Struggling

Annie is struggling again. This is SO frustrating, especially because we were so close to attempting extubation! So, here is the scoop: she is still draining tons of fluid from her chest, even though she is not receiving nutrition through her NJ tube; she has been spiking fevers over the last couple of days; she has had two broviac lines placed and is running out of other options for IV access (a broviac is a port that is intended for very long term IV access- i.e: for patients requiring chemotherapy; they are placed in the O.R. and her first one broke after only two days!); AND she has had to have her ventilator support increased as she has struggled with rapid breathing and less than ideal blood gasses. The fluid draining from her chest tube is the top priority at this point. She has not responded to changing her formula or ending her feeds, so the plan is to try a medication (one that has not been used widely for this, but has been shown to work in some cases). If the drainage does not slow down in the next few days, then they want to do another surgery (success with this is also questionable). I hate to even say the 'S' word out loud! Annie needs a break so badly. Hopefully, we will find the answers needed to help her heal and get better. Maybe, if we can fix the drainage from her chest tube and get her the nutrition that she so desperately needs, everything else will improve as well. Thank you for your prayers for Annie and her doctors. Please keep them coming!