Monday, January 2, 2012

Some Details 01-15-11


Posted Jan 15, 2011 9:22pm
by Melinda
Why Did Sara go into cardiac arrest in the cath lab on Thursday?
They are still trying to figure this out but from what we can tell, she was in a delicate state already due to the blood clot that no one knew was there. I may go back at some point and write more about this.
Sara’s Brain: The doctor’s first priority or area of biggest concern is Sara’s brain. Sara had a cat scan last night and nothing showed up on it other than the brain being swollen. However, we know there was injury due to her coma so we were told that the injury just has not shown up on the scan yet.
The Neurologist came in this morning to do a repeat exam on her. She had some improvements from yesterday- Her eyes were more responsive to the light and her toes move, although it’s not voluntary at least we know muscle movement reaches down there. The other parts of the exam she still fails- No gag reflex, no response to touch or pain, etc. she does have a bobbing pupil movement when her eyelids are lifted. The fact that we have some improvement from yesterday is good. The Neurologist said that due to the injury to her brain during her cardiac arrest caused her brain to swell. Either the swelling will go down and her brain will return to normal function or the swelling will go down and she won’t return to normal function (if the injury caused her brain cells to die). He said that in most cases the kids either continue to make improvements each day or they stay the same and never “come back.” He said that we should know this within a week of the injury which would be Thursday.
The Thrombus or clot: The clot showed up on the cat scan as being quite large, extending from the fontan tube in her chest almost to the crease in her leg on one side.
The TPA seems to be helping in dissolving the clot a little because her CVP (Central Venous Pressure) has gone down. However, it did cause her to start bleeding out of her neck where they had tried to put in a line yesterday. So now she is off the TPA and on Heparin instead. The cardiologists now think that the clot is an old because it is organized. TPA doesn’t necessarily work on breaking up an old clot but Heparin does, it just takes a long time- possibly a month. The Hematologist explained that her body instinctively wants to break up the clot and the Heparin will thin the blood allowing the body to accomplish this.                                                                                                                                                           


The CHLA doctors and nurses: The doctors here have been wonderful! They answer all of our millions of questions, often drawing us diagrams. They have been straightforward with us and let us know everything that is going on with Sara or what plans they might have for her.
Cate and Anna: They have mostly been with My Dad and stepmom who live in Newport and my sister and her husband who live in Costa Mesa. They will be with them through the weekend. Starting Tuesday we will be calling you for help with them. Usually Steve will stay the nights at home with the girls and then come up during the day.
Steve and I: We are able to stay by Sara’s bedside 24/7 except during shift change. We can’t sleep in her room so there are parent sleep rooms down the hall that area available to us from 9PM – 10 Am. We’ve cried, prayed and even laughed together through this so far. How blessed I am to have Steve. He and Sara also have a special relationship. We talk and sing to Sara and Steve has been playing all her favorite songs for her and talking about all of the fun things they enjoy doing together.
We continue to pray for a miracle for Sara and for peace and understanding.
Steve and I went outside for a few minutes today and it looks like it was a beautiful day. We hope you are enjoying your weekend and are grateful for your love and support you are sending our way. We read and listen to all of your messages, texts and voicemail and they mean the world to us!
Love,
Melinda

Posted Jan 20, 2011 11:02am
Dear Melinda,
I just found out about Sara. My children and I are praying for Sara and your family. You are often in our thoughts. Please, let me know how I can help. I am available to assist you in any way you need me: cooking, cleaning, watching the children, driving, and shopping. You know you can count on me and my family.
Love,
Elena
Posted Jan 16, 2011 11:45pm
Steve & Melinda, I was unaware of this till Robyn Flora let me know. I truly wish the best for you and your family. We love you and hope for Sara to have a complete recovery. Let me know if I can do anything for you... Love, Marianne

Posted Jan 16, 2011 10:49pm
Wow! I pray for a speedy and complete recovery for Sara. I pray for your strength during this difficult event. I pray that Sara will have the resilience to amaze us all. God bless you and your family. I can't even imagine how much you're feeling. Know that you're not alone.

Posted Jan 16, 2011 5:50pm
Melinda,
We're praying for you guys. All day. Each day. With all our hearts.
Brooke and John Reynolds

Posted Jan 16, 2011 5:08pm
OMG Melinda, I had NO idea!!!! I am so sorry for what you are going through. Listen, I don't want to bombard you with any questions or anything like that, but was wondering if I could PLEASE stop by CHLA tomorrow to drop off a card for Sara and also say hi to you in person. I PROMISE I will not take a lot of your time, maybe 10 mins or so, just so I can say hello and drop off a card for her. Please take care of yourself & when ever you have time, just let me know if it's ok. Thanks. Karen Martinez

Posted Jan 16, 2011 4:49pm
Melinda,
Our family is sending yours lots of good thoughts, hugs and positive energy so that Sara can heal quickly!
Love,
Sharyn, Todd, Riley, Kendall Konick

Posted Jan 16, 2011 4:42pm


Thanks for the update. Hang in there and know my prayers and thoughts are with you. Let me know if I can help - I'll check with Sue. Loads of Love, Alene

Posted Jan 16, 2011 3:54pm
Sara & your family are in my prayers. God has an incredible way of performing miracles & healing (mending) hearts. No doubt Sara feels the incredible love of her parents, family & friends.
Big hug to you all,
Helen Le
CA Heart Conn. Mom (Topher 3 yrs HLHS/AVSD, post-Fontan)

Posted Jan 16, 2011 1:56pm
Here from CAlifornia Heart Connection.
My husband and I are praying for your daughter and family.
Continued prayers, Justin and Victoria Nelson
www.momentswithmoriah.blogspot.com

Posted Jan 16, 2011 11:49am
Melinda & Steve,
We were so sorry to hear about what your going through! We are praying for Sara and for a miracle for her. What a sweetheart she is!
Melinda, I would love to help you with Anna, Maggie would love to have her spend a day with us. Please call me to help out.
Thank you for posting these updates on her condition. We all are cheering her on to pull out of this.
Love, Dan & Kimberly Hunter
235-9457

Posted Jan 16, 2011 10:20am
Dear Melinda and Steve....you are in our prayers every day. My Sarah prays for your Sara. We are sending hugs your way!

Posted Jan 16, 2011 2:12am
SO sorry Melinda! If you need help with ANYTHING let me know! REALLY...anything...big or small. Saying smany prayers for your family!
Kristin Dutwiler
714-855-7588

Posted Jan 16, 2011 1:45am
Many, many prayers being sent to your sweet Sara, you and the rest of your family, Melinda. Please let us know at SMOMC what we can do to help when you're ready. We're right there for all of you.
Susan Bauer

Posted Jan 16, 2011 1:29am
Your strength is inspiring, Melinda. Sounds like your daughter has come by it honestly. Your family reamins in our thoughts and prayers.
Valerie
Posted Jan 16, 2011 12:53am
Melinda,
Your are so amazing to be able to keep us all updated. We will continue to pray that Sara recovers and that you both may feel the love and support of your ward family.
Please let me know what I can do to help with things back here at your home. Dinner, watching Anna and/or Cate, even if you need errands done or your house cleaned :)

Lainey wanted me to let you know she thinks about you and Sara throughout the day and hopes Sara gets better soon!
Love,
Rachel Westfall

Posted Jan 16, 2011 12:47am
Our prayers are with you, praying for a miracle. Let me know how we can help out with Cate and Anna next week. Love you all,
Kristin and Jared Davis

Posted Jan 16, 2011 12:22am
Praying with you for your little girl! Love and lots of prayers as well for your entire family!!!
Katie Consoletti & family

Posted Jan 16, 2011 12:21am
Thanks for keeping us informed. WE are praying for a miracle and that you and Steve will feel the love that everyone has for you. Love, Shirley

Posted Jan 15, 2011 11:42pm
Melinda, Steve, & Girls-
Read your posts from the SMOM club website. My prayers are with you and your family. PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING THAT SARA GETS HER MIRACLE. May God hold you all in the palm of his hand.
Always, Jenn Shay and family

Posted Jan 15, 2011 10:58pm
Melinda,
Thanks for your updates here, I've been thinking and praying for your little Sara. My eyes filled with tears and am filled with hope that she'll make a quick recovery. You and your husband seem very strong, keep believing and know this is a test from God. Hope she joins your family in all those fun things her Dad keeps telling her about.
(((hugs)))
~Mary Mallon

Posted Jan 15, 2011 10:23pm
I just read your email again. We've had Sara in our hearts and vocal and private prayers all day and night long. Im glad you and Brian got to talk tonight. We SO wish we were there with you. Wish there was more we could do. We love you. Karen
Posted Jan 15, 2011 10:10pm
Although I have never been lucky enough to meet you and your family, we have been following along with your journey and are amazed by your courage, stength and faith. We will continue to pray for you all. We hope to someday meet little Sara so that we can tell her what a strong and brave girl we all think she is and how lucky she is to have a family that loves her so much. Kira Baker

Posted Jan 15, 2011 10:10pm
We are praying for a miracle. Our hearts are full love for you and your family, but it is also aching with a parents love. God Bless you all.
Kokx Family
Posted Jan 15, 2011 9:58pm
Thank you so much for the updates. We love you and your family.

Posted Jan 15, 2011 9:49pm
Dear Melinda and Steve,
Heartache to read of the complications. So very grateful that you two are so solid in your faith. The Lord's love never fails. How marvelously blessed we are to have the sure confidence in his perfect knowledge and wisdom.
The prayers continue.
Vaughn
Posted Jan 15, 2011 9:40pm
We are fasting and praying for your family. We love you guys and have great faith in the Lord.
Love Jake and Wendy Lowry

Posted Jan 15, 2011 9:39pm
Hi Melinda -
I am praying for your beautiful little girl - for all of you - and join you in hoping for the best possible outcome for Sara.
--Jennifer Bob

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