Christopher's Brain Injury 4

Friday, April 23, 2010, 12:37 am

The roller coaster goes up... the roller coaster goes down... So goes a day in the life of a child with a brain injury.  Christopher's intracranial pressure dropped to 16 earlier this afternoon but it had elevated to 46 by 9:30 pm. They decided to start him on level 2 medication called Manitol which works to relieve pressure in his brain. The pressure has now reduced and is fluctuating between 17 and 28.  This is a very good thing.

He developed fluid in his lungs today, which they suctioned out several hours ago.  This is very typical in a patient on a ventilator.  Because he is in a coma, he is not coughing or doing anything to keep things clear and moving.  Unfortunately, we need to prepare ourselves for the reality that Pneumonia is possibly on the horizon for Christopher.  

About an hour ago, things began hopping by his bed as his team watched his blood pressure drop.  They quickly assessed the situation and decided to re-start the medication they had discontinued earlier and reduce several other meds.  This is typical of what his attending physician described to me earlier as 'the dance' that they continually do in an attempt to keep everything functioning at it's most efficient.  He has stabilized now and appears to be resting peacefully.

I am with him for the night, watching a team of 7 attend to him. As frightening as this is, I feel an odd sense of peace at the moment.  I am smiling as I listen to Brenda, his nurse speak to him, by name, as though he can hear and understand every word.  She is explaining where he is, why he is here and what it is she is doing to him.  Her sympathy expressed to him is quite moving.  She is apologizing for all of the poking and prodding that has taken place over the past 78 hours.  Okay, now I am crying... I don't know if he can hear or understand Brenda, but I love the way he is being treated and loved in this hospital.  He is in good hands and I have no choice but to trust all who are caring for him.  Please continue to pray for Christopher...

With love, Laura