Harmonee Lynn: Days 2 and 3

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Days 2 and 3

Harm still wasn't very stable yesterday. Her nose had started to bleed a few more times along with another bloody diaper, blood from her lungs and more blood from the tube that goes down her nose to her tummy to drain it. Today there is only stomach acid content in her tube (so far), no blood from her lungs and she is FINALLY stable for her condition.

Yesterday they took another ultrasound on her tummy to see if any fluid had accumulated over night from Monday. Little fluid was found, but still more then the day before. The doctors said this could be a good and bad thing. The good thing; it would rule out most of the infections they were starting to think she might have had, since her tummy was swelling with fluid, not her intestines. But the bad thing; this added worry that maybe her rectum was torn and the fluid was blood. This made them a little more interested in testing a few different things since this could also be why her stool is bloody.

She is still on dialysis which the doctors aren't planning on taking her off of for a while. Since she is in multiple organ failure (liver, lungs and kidneys) with her heart bouncing back! A machine is still breathing for her, so to let this machine 'work its magic' she is still heavily sedated to keep her from trying to breath over it, or pulling it out. Her blood pressure is finally stable, getting her out the of the septic shock zone! The doctors are going to look into decreasing her blood pressure meds.

She has been under a heat lamp off and all today and yesterday. The nurse said that with a baby this sick, they don't actually spike a temp until she is getting better. Interesting to know. She has been getting plasma through IV to help her internal bleeding, that they still aren't sure what is causing it. She still has her 3 infections and the doctors still aren't sure what they are. They are thinking about taking her PICC line out of her arm and putting one in her leg, so that the infections in her PICC will be gone.

As of now she has 6 IVs running, still with limited access, rectal medications, 9 IV anti biotic meds, dialysis, on a oscillatory ventilator (breaths for her side to side, instead of in and out), under heat lamps, labs every hour, a tube draining her tummy, a catheter (with a thermometer attached to measure internal temps). Pain killers, and meds to paralyze, and more coming soon.

LOTS and LOTS going on. But she is stable and doing much better. I can't wait to be able to hold my baby again and to see her smile and her big blue... and yellow... eyes! I even missed the yellow in her skin that has finally decided to make and appearance today.

Chelsea came to visit. Her son Jordan just had his Kasai and is doing amazing! I hope he never gets to this point of BA. He is such a cute little boy, and no baby should ever go through what Harm and so many other liver babes have! I also met Lydias parents today. They are staying in the room next to us with Lydia, her mom is so brave and was able to donate part of her liver to Lydia. I am jealous of her. :).

My brother, sister in law, parents and Brandon's parents came to visit today as well! Along with nurses from the infant unit that I can't wait to be able to get back up to... hopefully soon! They came and talked to Harmonee, and I am sure Harmonee was happy to hear their familiar voices! The nurses here at PC are amazing people, only the best!

Today is a better day after having a wonderful movie, good conversation making me feel less insane, sleep, and breakfast. I felt like I was "normal" for a night! Liz, James, and Julia are some amazing people and if you haven't met them, you really should! Or you can always check out Liz's blog with her sweet beautiful baby London (lulu) and her pretty pink new liver. http://liverforlulu.blogspot.com/

PELD score is FIRST PRIORITY! Come on Harm! Kick these infections and lets get you a NEW HEALTHY PINK liver!!

**Sorry... I will try to keep you updated daily from now on so your not reading a novel when seeing Harm's updates. I will have the hubs bring up my phone hook up too so you can see more pics!

6 comments:

EricaApril 29, 2010 at 3:30 PM
I am glad to hear that Harmonee is doing better today and pray that she will continue to improve so that she can get her new and improved healthy pink liver.
Hugs and Prayers,
Eden's mom

P.S. If it as alright with you I would like to put a link to your blog from mine. www.utahlais.blogspot.com
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Lea ByingtonApril 29, 2010 at 3:58 PM
I hope there is a time in the near future when you may hold and bring comfort to your dear little one. I bawled my eyes out reading this..and I know I will hug my kiddos alittle tighter tonight because of it.Please let me know if there is anything I(or any of us SHC gals)can do! (fundraiser??) God Bless and keep you. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.~ Lea
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Auntie BarbApril 29, 2010 at 5:57 PM
I am glad she is better today! I have lots of people praying for her. She such a fighter! Let her know we love her very much. Stay stong!
Love Autie Barb
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AnonymousApril 29, 2010 at 7:59 PM
Harm!! Don't make me lecture you again! We have had several talks over the last 2 days, even if you can't respond back i know your listening. This is just a a small set back but everyone knows you are a strong baby! Your mom is a very good mom and so so strong. She always has a smile on her face because you are her sunshine and she knows you will pull through. We are waiting and cant wait for you to join the party back on the INFANT UNIT. Big huge flowers and your beautiful smiles! With lots of love, kisses, angels and prayers!

Alysha
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AnonymousMay 1, 2010 at 3:25 PM
Erica that would be great if you did that :)
Alysha she might need your lectures today ha ha get her out of what ever she is doing!
Farrah
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Reid PApril 22, 2022 at 8:23 AM
Thhank you for sharing this
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What is Biliary Atresia {BA}

Biliary Atresia is a rare liver disease that only affects infants. Bile is a digestive liquid that is made in the liver. It travels through the bile ducts to the small intestine, where it helps digest fats.
In biliary atresia, the bile ducts become inflamed and blocked soon after birth. This causes bile to remain in the liver, where it starts to destroy liver cells rapidly and cause cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver.

What causes BA:
The cause of this disease is not known. In some infants, the condition is most likely congenital, meaning present from birth. About one in 10 babies with biliary atresia have other congenital defects. Some research indicates that an early viral infection may be linked to biliary atresia.
Scientists do know that biliary atresia is not hereditary; parents do not pass it on to their child. It is also not contagious, and it is not preventable. It is also not caused by anything an expectant mother did or did not do.

How is BA diagnosed:
Since other conditions lead to symptoms similar to those of biliary atresia, doctors must perform many tests before a conclusive diagnosis can be made. These tests may include blood and liver tests, an ultrasound examination, X-rays and a liver biopsy, in which a small amount of liver tissue is removed with a needle for examination in a laboratory.

How is BA treated:
Unfortunately, there is no cure for biliary atresia. The only treatment is a surgical procedure in which the blocked bile ducts outside the liver are replaced with a length of the baby’s own intestine, which acts as a new duct. This surgery is called the Kasai procedure after Dr. Morio Kasai, the Japanese surgeon who developed it.
The aim of the Kasai procedure is to allow drainage of bile from the liver into the intestine through the new duct. The operation is completely or partially successful about 80 percent of the time if performed early (before 3 months of age). In babies who respond well, jaundice and other symptoms usually disappear after several weeks.
In cases where the Kasai procedure does not work, the problem often lies in the fact that blocked bile ducts are “intrahepatic,” or inside the liver, as well as extrahepatic, or outside the liver. No procedure, except for liver transplant, has been developed to replace blocked intrahepatic ducts.
The Kasai procedure is most successful in babies younger than 3-months-old, so early diagnosis is important.
If the Kasai procedure is not successful, the only other option is a liver transplant. However, a suitable donor organ must be found quickly, before damage to the liver from the backed-up bile becomes deadly.

Babies with BA:
Without successful treatment, few children with biliary atresia live beyond age two. In some cases, where the Kasai procedure is completely successful, the child may recover and live a normal life. However, in most cases, even when surgery is successful, patients will suffer gradual damage to the liver. These children will need specialized medical care throughout their lives, and many will ultimately need a liver transplant.

Transplant:
In children with biliary atresia, a liver transplant is generally not attempted unless the Kasai procedure has been tried. In cases where that operation is unsuccessful, the child may become a candidate for a liver transplant. Success depends on the timely availability of a matching donor liver. Fortunately, survival rates for liver transplant recipients have increased dramatically with improved surgical techniques and the development of drugs that help overcome the problem of organ rejection.

What does YOUR liver do for you?

How important is the liver?
The liver is a vital organ. Without it we would not be able to live. Apart from the brain, it is the most complex organ in the body. It has a wide range of functions and acts very much like a factory. One of its most amazing features is its regenerative power. Some 9/10ths of the liver can be cut away and provided the remaining 1/10th is healthy, the liver will grow back to its original size.

The liver is a processor
The food that we eat passes into the stomach via the esophagus (gullet). The food is broken down by the action of the stomach and the small intestine. The nutrients from the food are then absorbed into the blood via the vessels in the walls of the intestines. These drain to veins which lead into the portal vein which carries the blood into the liver. The nutrients are processed in many different ways in the liver. This processing of the food is known as metabolism. The final products made are used by the body for energy and growth.

The liver is a manufacturer
The liver produces a number of different substances which are vital in order for healthy growth and development. For example: 1. The liver cells produce substances which assist with the clotting of the blood, e.g.Prothrombin. 2. The liver cells make proteins which are carried in the blood. These have many functions. Albumin, for example, helps to control the distribution of fluid in all parts of the body and transports many substances to and from the liver and kidneys to other parts of the body.

The liver is a storage depot
The liver stores energy in the form of glycogen (sugar). It also stores a number of other substances, e.g. copper, iron and vitamins.

The liver is a controller
The liver plays an important part in controlling: 1. The correct level of many hormones within the body. 2. The blood sugar (glucose) levels. The liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen when there is too much glucose in the blood and releases it when the blood sugar level falls. 3. The amount of fluid the body retains and its distribution throughout the body. 4. The concentration of cholesterol which it converts into bile salts. 5. The action of many drugs

The liver is a filter
The liver removes many unwanted substances from the body. It plays an important role in controlling the harmful effects of some drugs and products of metabolism by changing them chemically before excreting them into the bile. Bilirubin (unconjugated or indirect) is produced when old red blood cells break down. The average life of a healthy red blood cell is 120 days. This bilirubin is carried in the blood stream, attached to albuimin, to the liver where it is altered into a different form (conjugated or direct bilirubin) which is then: 1. Excreted in the bile. 2. Transferred into the bile which passes via the bile ducts into the intestine and appears as brown pigment in the stool. Bile is continuously produced by the liver cells mainly by the action of bile salts. It collects in and passes out through the network of bile ducts into the intestine. Bile salts play an important role in the digestion of fats.

The liver is a defender
The liver plays an important role in fighting many types of infection. In particular, protects the body against infection which arises in the gut. With so many different and complex functions, it is not surprising that more than 100 types of liver diseases have been identified in babies and children

Harmonee's Story

My name is Harmonee Lynn Phillips. I was born October 8, 2009, I am 3 months old. When I was 2 months 1 week and 4 days old my doctor realized that something was wrong. Mommy asked the doctor why I was still yellow at my 2 month appointment on Dec. 18, 2009, we all thought I just had jaundice. But jaundice doesn’t last this long. Dr. Lloyd {my pediatric doctor} told mommy to take me to the hospital to get my blood checked. At the hospital mommy held me while my heel was pricked and the nurse took all the tubes of blood she needed for testing. After, mommy and I went home to wait for results. Layla {my big sister} and I were playing on the couch when mommy’s phone rang. I knew something was wrong when I saw mommy’s streak with tears and her voice catch as she talked into the phone. She knelt next to me and dialed my daddy’s number. She told me things were going to be okay, she would take care of me… she promised. I heard my daddy’s voice on the other end of the phone and I heard mommy repeat what the person on the phone had told her. "The results came for Harmonee's blood tests. Lloyd says it has something to do with her liver, but it’s not jaundice. He called Primary Children’s and someone from the GI clinic is going to call and set up an appointment." I didn’t want mommy to be sad, so I smiled at her to let her know I was okay, nothing was wrong. Mommy smiled back, and told me not to look so concerned. Layla gave mommy hugs and kisses, then gave me kisses after. Everything was okay. About an hour later mommy got another call. My appointment was set for Monday, Dec. 21, 2009.

The weekend was long and hard, wondering how serious and what was going to be said at my appointment Monday morning. Mommy woke me up early that morning, she gave me a warm bath, made me a bottle to eat, put me in my snow suit, buckled me into my car seat and put me in the car. I slept on the way to Primary Children’s and woke up in a waiting room, mommy was filling out papers, then she held me until my name was called. The nurse was nice; she smiled at me and talked to me, than she put warm jelly on my tummy after mommy took my clothes off. She put a thing on my tummy and spread the jelly around, I could see images on a computer above my head. I heard the nice nurse tell mommy it was pictures of all the organs and things inside my tummy. After about 20 minutes the nurse told mommy she was going to go get a doctor to 'read' the ultrasounds. He was a nice doctor, a heavier man with a beard, he talked to me too, said I was cute when I smiled at him. He looked through all the pictures, but stopped on a certain one, studied it and sat down. He took a deep breath and talked to the nurse for a minute before looking at mommy, he told her it was a picture was of my liver, the tissues were not all the same, they couldn't see a gal bladder, or any ducts but the GI doctor would explain more about what they had found. Mommy looked concerned, I started to wiggle and whine hoping mommy would be able to pick me up, hold me and let me tell her everything was okay. But she had to put me back in my car seat, and we went to the 2nd floor to the GI center to meet my next doctor. Mommy went to the lady at the desk, told her my name and signed me in, now mommy was able to hold me until my name was called. We went into a back room to wait for the doctor. Another nice doctor came to meet me, her name was Dr. Book. She asked mommy some thing’s about me and left again. We waited for 2 more hours. It was about 12:00 noon when Dr. Book came back in, she pulled a chair up to my mommy and showed her a picture. Dr. Book explained that they couldn’t see any of my main bile ducts or gal bladder; there were some tests that needed to be done before they knew exactly what was wrong with me. Because I was 2 months old and these types of things were suppose to be taken care of before I was 3 months, the tests were put on STAT. Dr. Book had made arrangements for me to have a liver biopsy that night at 4:00 P.M. I would stay the night in the hospital and she would come to my room the next morning to tell mommy the results of the biopsy. To prepare for the biopsy mommy had to take me to get more tests. We went to the ER first were the nurse put a catheter in me to get a clean catch urine specimen. Then I was taken to the Lab. Here they took more blood, and put an IV in my right hand. Then we were able to go to my room and wait for my biopsy.

Mommy and I arrived at room 4343, POD D, on the 4th floor of Primary Children’s at 3:00 P.M. Dec. 21. Mommy rocked with me in her arms until the time came that I had to go to general surgery for my biopsy. The nurses laid me in my crib and took me down the hall to the elevators that went to the 2nd floor with mommy next to me. She stayed with me as long as she could, until Dr. Book told her she had to leave. I wanted my mommy to stay. Before mommy left me she told me that she would be there with me, no matter what happened, she would see me when I woke up and she loved me... she promised. Mommy was there an hour later to meet me in my room, she was the first one I saw when I woke up, I wanted mommy to hold me. But they wouldn’t let her for a few more hours. When mommy was finally able to hold me, she held me all night, she slept in the rocking chair with me in her arms, and held me until the next morning when Dr. Book came in to tell mommy what they had found out through the biopsy. Little did we all know the next few minutes would change our lives… Dr. Book sat in front of my mom, she looked concerned, she had more pictures, putting her hand on mommy’s knee she told her the news… I was diagnosed with BILIARY ATRESIA Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009. I was 2 months 2 weeks old.

Dr. Book, made surgery plans for the next day Dec. 23, 2009, Dr. Scaif would be my surgeon. I wasn't allowed to eat for at least 8 hours before I went into surgery. My last bit of formula was eaten at 3 a.m. that morning, and I drank my last few ounces of pedialyte at 8 a.m. My surgery was set up for 1:30 p.m. Daddy came to see me before my surgery, I was so happy to see him! At 1 p.m. mommy was told that general surgery was running behind, it would be at least two more hours. Finally, at 3 p.m. after hours of not having anything to eat, they took me back to the 2nd floor where Dr. Scaif would perform my Kasai. The surgery would last 4 and a half hours. I went into surgery at 4 p.m. and finally at 8:30 p.m. daddy and mommy were called to come to the PICU where they would have to, agian, wait to see me. At 9:30 p.m. my daddy and mommy were brought to me, room 14 in the PICU. I wasn't awake but I could feel my daddys hand. I had tubes in my nose and mouth, a catheter, a heart monitor on my foot, IV's in each of my hands and another one on my foot. After a few hours daddy had to go home, but mommy stayed at the hosptial that night in a 'parent stay' room. In the morning she came to sit with me, and talk to me. About 11:00 a.m. that morning I was taken to X-RAY on the 1st floor to receive my PICC line. Mommy wasn't able to stay, but she promised to meet me back at my room in the PICU when I was done. To put the PICC line in they had to sedate me. Today was Christmas Eve.

On Christmas day, I woke up to presents from Santa, who had left them on a chair in my room the night before. Mommy opened them for me when she came to my room that morning and showed me what each gift was. That day I was also lucky enough to get my mouth tube removed. I wasn't able to make any noise, but a scratchy whisper for a few more hours, but I was happy to have it out. Today I also left the PICU to my newest room, this time I would be on the 3rd floor, on the IMSU {Infant Medical Surgical Unit}, room 3311. This room was smaller, but mommy was able to stay in there with me on a small pull out bed. That day, Daddy brought Layla to see me, and to open Christmas presents. It turned out to be a great Christmas. On the Dec. 26, my CBC came back low, at 11 a.m. I was given my first blood transfusion. My nose tube was also taken out today and I was put on oxygen. That night my heart rate dropped to 50, and my respirations to 10. On Dec. 27, 2009, my heart rate dropped to below 10. The nurses called the cardiologist who came to my room and put a ‘jacket’ on me to help monitor my heart. But today, I was also allowed to eat 1ml of pedialite every 3 hours. What a tease. On Dec. 28, 2009 I was moved to room 3387, on the 3rd floor in the CSU {Children’s Surgical Unit} because my heart rate kept dropping to an almost stopping position. In this unit they would be able to watch my heart closer. Throughout the week my heart was monitored, on Dec. 29th, 2009 an Echogram was ordered, unfortunately, after packing my IV's up and taking me to the 1st floor to the Heart department, they were unable to pick up the image of my heart because of my bandages. I was slowly being taken off my morphine and my meds that I would have to take home were being added to my diet. On Dec. 30, 2009, Dr. Scaif gave permission for me to start eating 1 ounce of formula every three hours. I was doing good with that and on Dec. 31, 2009 I was allowed to finally eat as much as I wanted whenever I wanted. My tummy was also measured and it was 53 cm. That night, daddy and Layla came to see me again, we had a good New Years together. Daddy held me, and we watched movies in my room. It was good to see them again.

On January 1st 2010, Dr. Scaif told daddy {who was staying with me over the weekend while mommy went home to spend time with sister} that I could start preparing to go home. On the morning of January 2nd 2010, it didn't seem that I would be going home that day. My jaundice count was higher than the day before and my stool was lighter then what it was suppose to be. After hours of waiting Dr. Scaif still gave me the go ahead, everything was prepared for me to leave the hospital. Mommy and Layla came and helped daddy get all my stuff packed and loaded into the car. I was finally going home!