A Family's Journey to Health: Next 48 Hours Still Critical for Our Sweetheart
Here is our beautiful daughter having fun in the snow. God how we love her and pray she makes it through this critical time.We have been told that the next 48 hours will have to be taken hour by hour in Brianna's recovery from yesterday's cardiac arrest. I learned that they had to apply chest compression on her heart for 30 minutes in order to keep it going, while the extra chest tubes were inserted to reduce the pressure build up. The reason for the arrest was that the pressure inside her chest made it impossible for her heart to beat against that pressure. But in the process her heart has sustained some damage. It will heal. But just like any part of the body, the bruise will take time to heal. The height of the bruising will be tonight, which means the heart will be its weakest. So last night Brianna held her blood pressure okay. She is still on an epinephrine drip in order to help her heart beat. But this afternoon, I was in her room and the oscillating ventilator alarm went off. Brianna began to cough and move and the oscialltor is so senstive it almost shut off. This started her blood pressures her heart rate and to drop. They had to push more epinephrine and her blood pressures came back. Her heart had not stopped, it just took a dip. The doctors have told us that she is on close to the maximum amount of epi she can be on, plus they are giving her extra doses to stablize her blood pressures. They have told us they are very concerned about the trend of her needing more epi right now, rather than less. They also called Jim to tell him he should be here tonight.She needed "volume," as in fluid to give her heart enough to pump the oxygen through her system. She has been given many units of platelets, packed red blood cells, albumin and other products in order to maintain a higher venus pressure allowing her heart to beat easier.The doctors also told us that the new chest tube insertions were not done under the most sterile conditions because of the urgency. So any bacteria introduced may peak tonight. Already she's had a fever today. They've taken her off the Linazolid and put her on vancomyecin and meropenum. And, because she needs so many medications, they needed to add another central line. This one was put in her groin and has three leumens, which adds to her already existing two other deep-vein lines.In our care conference today, the doctors told us that the next day or two will tell whether Brianna will make it through this. We won't know anything about her neurological status until she gets past all this and has been weaned again on the ventilator and is able to wake up. Some feel she won't have any, others think Brianna will have some brain damage.I stand next to her bed and stroke her brow and her head. I also used a wash cloth to clean off the dried, splattered blood on her hands and arms. And, I talk to her and tell her how much we love her and that she needs to continue to fight.Thankfully, John is with me. My cousin Ogi came this afternoon and was here supporting me during Brianna's crisis today. My parents also are here as well as Trevor. It's finals week at the high school. I can't help but think that Brianna would be celebrating her last day of school tomorrow. Instead, we'll be happy with her making it through the night.All of your prayers, encouragement and email posts mean so much to us. Thank you all for your continued support, love and hugs. As one of my friends have said, we are in the darkness right now and we pray we will see the light soon.
Iva, I am praying for you, your family, the doctors, and last but not least, beautiful Brianna. You are never far from my thoughts! HUGS Pam
Iva....I am not sure if you remember me but I have met you at a few shows with Colleen. I just want you to know that we are praying for your beautiful daughter and your family. Words cannot express how sorry we are that you have to go through this.STAY STRONG AND POSITIVE..Kimberlee Edgar
June 13, 2007 at 7:40 PM
Iva, I am thinking of you and praying for you all... Brianna be well!!!Lori
June 13, 2007 at 7:52 PM
My thoughts have been with you and Brianna all day today, and will continue thru the night. I am sending blessings your way that she has an uneventful night of rest, and that tomorrow will be a better day of you all. Sylvia
That girl is tough as nails...she just needs some rebound time...she will be singing along with that French music you play for her in no time...(((((big hugs)))))
June 13, 2007 at 9:25 PM
Thank you for taking the time to let us know. Your lil girl is surrounded by angels. I truly believe that.
Iva and Family,I am praying for you tonight and everyday until Brianna gets to come home. Stay strong and full of faith.
Iva...I have been praying all day long, and will continue. Your girl has more prayer warriors than she can possibly imagine. I hold you all in my heart and prayers always. We WILL be having that party for Brianna soon!xoxo Kitty
You can't keep a strong girl down! We all know she is a fighter, and how blessed she is... We are all praying my dear Iva for complete recovery and QUICK!!! Love, Crusty
Iva ,please, as you are at Briannas side ...tell her jojo loves her....I am crying as I type, but I am still praying and praying , we will get our miracle!!love jo....
I LOVE this picture in the snow, it is so beautiful....her smile is so precious!!! just like she is!!! Please God, protect Brianna and make her well...,love jo
Iva, my friend, I continue to pray for Brianna, you and your family:) May the angels wrap you in their wings and give you strength... love always, Cory
Iva, I'm joining hands with so many in sending up fervent prayers for Brianna's complete recovery, for the skill and compassion of her caretakers, and for strength and courage for you and your family! Your beautiful daughter is such a fighter, as is her Mother. You'll get through this.....{{{hugs}}}...~ Carolee
I will keep praying for you all...
June 14, 2007 at 6:09 AM
Iva,Your friends in Stuart are all praying for Brianna. You are all in our hearts and minds.Love, Judy
June 14, 2007 at 6:41 AM
Iva, I will keep you all in my prayers!!!!
Iva,For Brianna, you and your sweet family I am praying. We all know that Miracles happen and Brianna is one of them. I am praying for her recovery and for your strength.Many Blessings,Michelle
June 14, 2007 at 7:17 AM
Jodi aka Sugar Ü
Iva, You don't know me... but i just wanted to come in and let you know that you and Brianna are in my thoughts and prayers. Brianna is a beautiful young lady. You are an amazing woman-a wonderful example of love, dedication, strength, compassion, and womanhood! May God bless and watch over you and your sweet daughter and your family. I am so sorry that you have having to go through this. I am so sorry that Brianna is having to go through this. Please stay strong and just know that you have MANY people standing behind you... trying our best to uplift you through thoughts and prayers. God bless!
Iva....you don't know me, but I had heard of your story thru an ebay group PRHG....I say my prayers at night and picture Brianna's beautiful smile and lift her up to our God for a complete healing. Stay strong. Trust in Him, and know he is right there with you and Brianna in that room.God Bless. Andrea
Iva, you are a pillar of strength!We can see from whence Brianna gets her faith and spirit. Know that we are sending all our good and loving thoughts your way, today and always. God bless you and your family!Love, Joanne
June 14, 2007 at 9:00 AM
Iva I am still here praying. Much love , Pam
Dearest Iva...Sending love and strength. I am carrying Brianna and all of you close to my heart every minute of the day. Stay strong Brianna, Mom, Dad and Trevor need you! I just wish there was something more I could do to help! {{{{Hugs}}}}} Pam
Iva I do not know you personally but as a mom my heart aches for you. I am praying for you, your daughter and your family! Jamie
June 14, 2007 at 3:52 PM
Your daughter remains in the thoughts and prayers of my family. You don't know us ... we heard of your story via a blog posting ... but I wanted you to know we're thinking and praying.
What a beautiful young woman! Such a smile one sees in films and print media.Brianna, you have a lot of living to do I ask for your devine protection so you may heal and proceed with your life's path!In love and light.Suzanne
June 14, 2007 at 4:46 PM
Iva, there are so many people praying for your beautiful daughter and family. My love to you all. Donna
hi i was reading the blog and tears were gushing out for your beautiful daughter! i cant even imagine the strength needed to indure so much sorrow. as a parent and family its so hard to cope and stay sain!! i pray for brianna and the whole family to all be happy, healthy and intact as soon as possible!love and heart filled blessings, shelley diamond
Iva,We are still praying for You all. I pray you and your family experience peace, and I pray wisdom for the doctors and nurses. We will continue to pray till your beautiful daughter is healed.
Dearest Iva, I've not met you, but have been following Brianna's story, and please know that I am praying with you, and thinking of you and your family. I have four children, and I can only imagine what a long and terrible struggle this has been for you and your family, especially Brianna. You are in my prayers, much loveColleen
Iva.......May the Lord keep you and your family at this time.May he wrap his spirit around your beautiful Angel Brianna. My prayers have been and will be here for all of you! Kim
Our family will be praying for Brianna, and for the rest of your family too, as we know that you need prayers too.Stay strong.
Iva, John, Trevor, Bon, everyone whose name I dont know,I am so sorry for your loss. To surrender your baby back......it is so heartbreaking, and I pray God helps you forever forward, knowing you will always look back. All of you gave so much love for Brianna during her journey from this earth, and I am sure she felt it each and every day, and even now that she has gone on without you! Iva, your strength and love are unparalled. Godspeed you today as you say goodbye. Pam
June 15, 2007 at 6:21 AM
im on the phone with meli, words cant describe the saddness we feel anything we say wont be enough!this is the hardest thing a family can indure and we are sososo sorry, and are with you in our thoughts and hearts sending you as much light and love possible. our thoughts and prayers with you.shelley, meli alan &mike
A Family's Journey to Health: Next 48 Hours Still Critical for Our Sweetheart
Here is our beautiful daughter having fun in the snow. God how we love her and pray she makes it through this critical time.We have been told that the next 48 hours will have to be taken hour by hour in Brianna's recovery from yesterday's cardiac arrest. I learned that they had to apply chest compression on her heart for 30 minutes in order to keep it going, while the extra chest tubes were inserted to reduce the pressure build up. The reason for the arrest was that the pressure inside her chest made it impossible for her heart to beat against that pressure. But in the process her heart has sustained some damage. It will heal. But just like any part of the body, the bruise will take time to heal. The height of the bruising will be tonight, which means the heart will be its weakest. So last night Brianna held her blood pressure okay. She is still on an epinephrine drip in order to help her heart beat. But this afternoon, I was in her room and the oscillating ventilator alarm went off. Brianna began to cough and move and the oscialltor is so senstive it almost shut off. This started her blood pressures her heart rate and to drop. They had to push more epinephrine and her blood pressures came back. Her heart had not stopped, it just took a dip. The doctors have told us that she is on close to the maximum amount of epi she can be on, plus they are giving her extra doses to stablize her blood pressures. They have told us they are very concerned about the trend of her needing more epi right now, rather than less. They also called Jim to tell him he should be here tonight.She needed "volume," as in fluid to give her heart enough to pump the oxygen through her system. She has been given many units of platelets, packed red blood cells, albumin and other products in order to maintain a higher venus pressure allowing her heart to beat easier.The doctors also told us that the new chest tube insertions were not done under the most sterile conditions because of the urgency. So any bacteria introduced may peak tonight. Already she's had a fever today. They've taken her off the Linazolid and put her on vancomyecin and meropenum. And, because she needs so many medications, they needed to add another central line. This one was put in her groin and has three leumens, which adds to her already existing two other deep-vein lines.In our care conference today, the doctors told us that the next day or two will tell whether Brianna will make it through this. We won't know anything about her neurological status until she gets past all this and has been weaned again on the ventilator and is able to wake up. Some feel she won't have any, others think Brianna will have some brain damage.I stand next to her bed and stroke her brow and her head. I also used a wash cloth to clean off the dried, splattered blood on her hands and arms. And, I talk to her and tell her how much we love her and that she needs to continue to fight.Thankfully, John is with me. My cousin Ogi came this afternoon and was here supporting me during Brianna's crisis today. My parents also are here as well as Trevor. It's finals week at the high school. I can't help but think that Brianna would be celebrating her last day of school tomorrow. Instead, we'll be happy with her making it through the night.All of your prayers, encouragement and email posts mean so much to us. Thank you all for your continued support, love and hugs. As one of my friends have said, we are in the darkness right now and we pray we will see the light soon.
Iva, I am praying for you, your family, the doctors, and last but not least, beautiful Brianna. You are never far from my thoughts! HUGS Pam
Iva....I am not sure if you remember me but I have met you at a few shows with Colleen. I just want you to know that we are praying for your beautiful daughter and your family. Words cannot express how sorry we are that you have to go through this.STAY STRONG AND POSITIVE..Kimberlee Edgar
June 13, 2007 at 7:40 PM
Iva, I am thinking of you and praying for you all... Brianna be well!!!Lori
June 13, 2007 at 7:52 PM
My thoughts have been with you and Brianna all day today, and will continue thru the night. I am sending blessings your way that she has an uneventful night of rest, and that tomorrow will be a better day of you all. Sylvia
That girl is tough as nails...she just needs some rebound time...she will be singing along with that French music you play for her in no time...(((((big hugs)))))
June 13, 2007 at 9:25 PM
Thank you for taking the time to let us know. Your lil girl is surrounded by angels. I truly believe that.
Iva and Family,I am praying for you tonight and everyday until Brianna gets to come home. Stay strong and full of faith.
Iva...I have been praying all day long, and will continue. Your girl has more prayer warriors than she can possibly imagine. I hold you all in my heart and prayers always. We WILL be having that party for Brianna soon!xoxo Kitty
You can't keep a strong girl down! We all know she is a fighter, and how blessed she is... We are all praying my dear Iva for complete recovery and QUICK!!! Love, Crusty
Iva ,please, as you are at Briannas side ...tell her jojo loves her....I am crying as I type, bu
t I am still praying and praying , we will get our miracle!!love jo....
I LOVE this picture in the snow, it is so beautiful....her smile is so precious!!! just like she is!!! Please God, protect Brianna and make her well...,love jo
Iva, my friend, I continue to pray for Brianna, you and your family:) May the angels wrap you in their wings and give you strength... love always, Cory
Iva, I'm joining hands with so many in sending up fervent prayers for Brianna's complete recovery, for the skill and compassion of her caretakers, and for strength and courage for you and your family! Your beautiful daughter is such a fighter, as is her Mother. You'll get through this.....{{{hugs}}}...~ Carolee
I will keep praying for you all...
June 14, 2007 at 6:09 AM
Iva,Your friends in Stuart are all praying for Brianna. You are all in our hearts and minds.Love, Judy
June 14, 2007 at 6:41 AM
Iva, I will keep you all in my prayers!!!!
Iva,For Brianna, you and your sweet family I am praying. We all know that Miracles happen and Brianna is one of them. I am praying for her recovery and for your strength.Many Blessings,Michelle
June 14, 2007 at 7:17 AM
Jodi aka Sugar Ü
Iva, You don't know me... but i just wanted to come in and let you know that you and Brianna are in my thoughts and prayers. Brianna is a beautiful young lady. You are an amazing woman-a wonderful example of love, dedication, strength, compassion, and womanhood! May God bless and watch over you and your sweet daughter and your family. I am so sorry that you have having to go through this. I am so sorry that Brianna is having to go through this. Please stay strong and just know that you have MANY people standing behind you... trying our best to uplift you through thoughts and prayers. God bless!
Iva....you don't know me, but I had heard of your story thru an ebay group PRHG....I say my prayers at night and picture Brianna's beautiful smile and lift her up to our God for a complete healing. Stay strong. Trust in Him, and know he is right there with you and Brianna in that room.God Bless. Andrea
Iva, you are a pillar of strength!We can see from whence Brianna gets her faith and spirit. Know that we are sending all our good and loving thoughts your way, today and always. God bless you and your family!Love, Joanne
June 14, 2007 at 9:00 AM
Iva I am still here praying. Much love , Pam
Dearest Iva...Sending love and strength. I am carrying Brianna and all of you close to my heart every minute of the day. Stay strong Brianna, Mom, Dad and Trevor need you! I just wish there was something more I could do to help! {{{{Hugs}}}}} Pam
Iva I do not know you personally but as a mom my heart aches for you. I am praying for you, your daughter and your family! Jamie
June 14, 2007 at 3:52 PM
Your daughter remains in the thoughts and prayers of my family. You don't know us ... we heard of your story via a blog posting ... but I wanted you to know we're thinking and praying.
What a beautiful young woman! Such a smile one sees in films and print media.Brianna, you have a lot of living to do I ask for your devine protection so you may heal and proceed with your life's path!In love and light.Suzanne
June 14, 2007 at 4:46 PM
Iva, there are so many people praying for your beautiful daughter and family. My love to you all. Donna
hi i was reading the blog and tears were gushing out for your beautiful daughter! i cant even imagine the strength needed to indure so much sorrow. as a parent and family its so hard to cope and stay sain!! i pray for brianna and the whole family to all be happy, healthy and intact as soon as possible!love and heart filled blessings, shelley diamond
Iva,We are still praying for You all. I pray you and your family experience peace, and I pray wisdom for the doctors and nurses. We will continue to pray till your beautiful daughter is healed.
Dearest Iva, I've not met you, but have been following Brianna's story, and please know that I am praying with you, and thinking of you and your family. I have four children, and I can only imagine what a long and terrible struggle this has been for you and your family, especially Brianna. You are in my prayers, much loveColleen
Iva.......May the Lord keep you and your family at this time.May he wrap his spirit around your beautiful Angel Brianna. My prayers have been and will be here for all of you! Kim
Our family will be praying for Brianna, and for the rest of your family too, as we know that you need prayers too.Stay strong.
Iva, John, Trevor, Bon, everyone whose name I dont know,I am so sorry for your loss. To surrender your baby back......it is so heartbreaking, and I pray God helps you forever forward, knowing you will always look back. All of you gave so much love for Brianna during her journey from this earth, and I am sure she felt it each and every day, and even now that she has gone on without you! Iva, your strength and love are unparalled. Godspeed you today as you say goodbye. Pam
June 15, 2007 at 6:21 AM
im on the phone with meli, words cant describe the saddness we feel anything we say wont be enough!this is the hardest thing a family can indure and we are sososo sorry, and are with you in our thoughts and hearts sending you as much light and love possible. our thoughts and prayers with you.shelley, meli alan &mike