Improvement After the Afternoon Scare

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 10:15 pm

After a pretty hefty scare this morning/afternoon, Morgan seems to be doing much better. While she is still very critical, we were very pleased with her improving rebound tonight. We spent some quality time with her tonight and she even got to see her Aunt Augusta! Aunt 'Gusta even went as far as rubbing lotion on Morgan's back, which seemed to soothe her based on her levels increasing during the deep rub.

Morgan's lungs continue to stay very sick and our knees are in the dirt with prayerful hope that they will develop with noticeable improvement. She has restarted a 3-day steroid course to help with her lung development. There was an attempt at this recently and she was only able to receive 2 days of the 3-day course because of the increase in her white blood cells and the inverse decrease in her platelet count. We were afraid of that inverse reaction being a sign of an infection, so the steroid treatment was immediately stopped since steroids inherently increase the risk of infection. We learned that there was no infection, but the risk was too great to keep her on the steroids at that time. That said, we pray that her white blood cells and platelets will stay manageable so that she is able to receive the full dose of steroids this time...as she needs all the help she can get at the current moment.

We received a good report from Morgan's brain ultrasound today. There was no sign of bleeding which indicates that there is also no sign of a hemorrhage. If you recall, we had seen a level 1 hemorrhage that has since dissipated. We continue to receive very satisfactory reports related to the status of her brain. This is the only part of her sweet body that cannot be repaired if any damage is present. Her brain is disadvantaged enough from her father's genes and she doesn't need to fight any other battles in this arena.

As I stated this afternoon, we were notified that Morgan's heart has improved and while the issue has not totally vanished, we are comfortable with it's status at the moment. The PDA needs to improve more, however, it is at a point that we can focus more attention on her lungs. And yes...it is difficult for a father to type about his daughter's heart and PDA in the same sentence, but as long as it's medical...he'll survive.

Her feedings have increased to 1 ml per hour, which has doubled in quantity from yesterday. She continues to accept the nutrition well. Morgan is noticeably bigger than the day she arrived. The feedings are helping and we pray they will continue in such a positive manner.

As we stood at her bedside tonight, the nurse practioner decided to pick on me about Morgan going to an Eighth grade dance (probably with some boy that's faster than a 12-gauge shot). We talked about how lovely she will be with her nails and hair done in her "little dress,"... a "Little House on the Prairie dress," maybe, but that's about all this father could stand.

We continue to be thankful for the relationships we have with "Morgan's Helpers." They are knowledgable, caring, intelligent and wonderfully selfless individuals. As we thank the staff at St. Vincent's, we would also like to thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Seth and Elizabeth McCoin