We are pushing forward with surgery for this Thursday. I am trying to meet with the surgical team in the morning to confirm all of the plans. Ecmo has been slowed to about 65% and nitric oxide is being used again to switch from the high frequency oscillator (a kind of ventilator) to a more traditional ventilator for surgery. Switch over in ventilators shall occur tomorrow.
Several questions have been posted regarding blood and how much is used. On a daily basis we go through 4.5 units of blood or blood products (plasma, platelets, and whole blood). As of the day of surgery (Thursday) we will have used roughly 50 units of blood. Not sure how much blood will be used in surgery or how much will be used afterward (as ecmo will continue for a period after surgery), but it is a consistent need. To put this into perspective consider your donation of whole blood as 1 unit. As of today 29 units of blood have been donated to Johnathon's cause. This is well short of where he will be by Thursday morning. Please continue to contribute as it is your blood that is helping to carry the oxygen across his body.
Becky and I have had some deep discussions over the past few days regarding Johnathon and his hospitalization. We have still a long road ahead as surgery may correct his inside; it will take healing, time, and prayers to help his body function correctly. We love Johnathon very much, but we have always agreed that we will have to keep his long term outlook in perspective when dealing with his health care options. We do not wish a life of suffering upon him and we have some peace that if his life were to end it maybe God saving us from witnessing this.
Thursday we will be holding Thanksgiving at the hospital from 4pm - 8pm. Please feel free to come by and spend some time with Becky and I. Our family has expanded over these last few weeks as too has our friends. No matter what the outcome of surgery may be, we still have much to be thankful for.
Thanks to Laura Miller's co-workers for your blood donations this week. Thanks to Rob and Donna for making the change out of the ecmo pump successful. Thanks to Sunni for helping me out during the change out time period. Thanks to Emily, you brought relief to me when you came to get Johnathon at Parkland and you have taken such great care of him for 6 out of his first 8 days of life. And finally a special thanks to everyone who has offered prayers, help, and a kind ear. As many people will be traveling for Thanksgiving and may not have a chance to read over the next few days, I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
.jpg)
4 comments:
It is hard to say Happy Thanksgiving under the circumstances, but with many prayers and miracles life does sometimes have good endings and I pray this time will be of of those times. Love to you all, Your Aunt Sandi & family fromn NY
You, Becky and little JJ are continuously in our thoughts and prayers.
Jerry and Modene Moore
I checked with the California Red Cross; they can set up a direct donor blood transfer which takes 5 days and costs from $362.00 to $412.00, then my blood can be made available for use in Texas. That is our only option unless the blood bank you are dealing with can make arrangements for a donation credit here in Calif. But the Red Cross does not do it for out of state blood receipients.
Sorry we can not donate blood for this operation.
Let us know what we can do.
Have a Spiritual Thanksgiving. I turned over a prayer request to the Dominican Sisters.
Keep us posted.
Love Aunt Liz and Uncle Victor
Don't forget that if you do a double red when you donate, JJ will get 2 credits instead of one, which may help I hope. I wish ya'll the absolute best and hope things go smoothly as possible and make continual improvements. God bless little future goalie JJ. I'll be leaving town right after work Thursday, but call if you need anything at all.....Mike #76
Post a Comment