It's Been So Long....

Since it's been a while since I last blogged, I really need to be ambitious at attempting to write an update of some sort.

Around Sept 21, my cousin Hunter (age 17) went to Surrey Memorial hospital as he was sick and ended up in ICU with kidney and liver failure.   He was on full dialysis as well.   He was transferred a few days later to the Children's Hospital in Vancouver, had open heart surgery to remove a 9" chain of bacteria that was growing out of the hole in his heart (which he was born with).   There was a high risk of the bacteria breaking off and moving to his lungs and possibly causing an embolism. 

Below are actual updates via facebook from the family that was in Vancouver: 

(Sept 23) Hunter is off bipass and his blood pressure is better.  Heart is beating on his own but is irregular.  Still
a long way from being out of the woods.  He will always have a leaking tricuspid valve (spelling?).  They were able to patch the VSD.  Expecting 6-8 weeks on antibiotics and on a respirator.  They need to make sure there is no residual infection in the lungs.  Hunter is in recovery.  Cut out 99.9% of electrical system - Doctor shocked heart is beating on it's own - no pace maker. PTL!  Kidneys need to work, months of antibiotics, needs dialisis, fight infection.  Had to stitch back into infected tissue.  Bacteria had eaten through tricuspid valve in between 2 chambers, enormous ...hole, destroyed 1 leaflet.  Have to keep an eye on clotting.  Doctor is pleased

(Sept 24) Hunter had a good night.  Eyes are open, responding.  May remove ventilator today. PTL! Pray antibiotics can reach and destroy bacteria, for kidneys to function, for tissue to heal over patch.  Pray for the supernatural.

(Sept 25) My nephew: Hunter update - taking main lines out of neck and groin.  May get out of bed and sit up today.  He is self-motivated to move limbs for circulation.  Needs to clear lungs. Kidney output still low.  Doing
echocardiogram on heart today.  Our God is so good.
My nephew Hunter update - sat up in bed, is coughing to release "crud".  Blood pressure is good, fever very slight, blood cultures negative.  He's outputting more than he's inputting and asking for food.  They are going to start him on clear liquids.  God is at work.  That is what I was waiting for: where's the food!!!

(Sept 26)  My Nephew Hunter is doing amazing things.  Kidneys are doing remarkably well, since dialysis removed.  Fluid was drained from Hunters lungs which was a painful procedure. Had his first meal last night, a bowl of soup.  Trying to talk is still a task.   When they told him he had open heart surgery, his eyes just about popped.... He thought he was in the hospital because of severe flu and fever.  He is a miracle :0)

Hunter has had a tough day.  Tachycardia during night, episodes today.  Got heart back regular. Knicked liver when draining lung fluid - has internal bleeding.  Resulting pain in shoulder and abdomen.  Tricuspid valve giving problems.  Pray on!

(Sept 27)  My nephew Hunter update - blood clotting seems to be getting better.  Hemoglobin better.  Still problems with fluid collecting from leaking valve.  Will try to have him sit and stand today. 
Hunter my nephew had a better day.  Sat up, had his hair washed, brushed his teeth.  Ate some chicken noodle soup for lunch and was going to try some more at supper.  All the machines are gone, this is great news!!!

(Sept 28)  My nephew Hunter's update:  The doctors don't feel Hunter will be in the hospital for 6 weeks. Taking most of his meds by pill now.  Monday he did well so had his hair washed and able to brush teeth.  All machines have been removed.  Having the fluid removed from lungs was more painful than operation.  Pray that all the bacteria will be killed with the antibiotics that he will need to take for months.  God is Good.

Just a short update on Hunter.  He didn't sleep well and his heart kept racing today.  He is now on assisted oxygen.  He felt too sick and worn out to even eat or drink water.  Not a good day.  Still needs prayer.

(Sept 29)  Hunter is being rushed back into surgery right now.  Please pray for him to have strength to endure another surgery.  Also pray for Eliz and Doug.  Thank you.  Hunter, my nephew has just gone into surgery. Replacing tricuspid valve, removing fluid from lungs and belly.  He also has a fungus now.  Pray for success and a miraculous recovery.  We need a miracle. -Elizabeth & Doug, Hunter's parents.

Update re: my nephew Hunter.  It's 9:15pm - at least another 2 hours.  They have a lot to do.  They have put in a mechanical valve and are installing a pace maker.  Hunter update - had to replace patch, found a new hole and closed it, installed pacemaker and mechanical tricuspid valve.  Heart is beating normal without meds. Been off bipass for half hour - another hour to go.

(Sept 30)  My nephew, Hunter is out of surgery-more extensive than they thought.  Doctors worried that they had to sew into infected tissue.  Can't guarantee it won't happen again.  Bacteria is still present - new hole in aortic valve.  Please prayThey put in new tricuspid valve and that is working well.  They drained lots of fluid from lungs and body cavity.  With the heart beating well there shouldn't be anymore accumulation  Pray the bacteria will die and not cause anymore damage so he doesn't have anymore surgeries.

Thank you to all those who are praying.  My nephew is breathing unassisted.  First time since going into hospital.  They are going to move him away from nursing station, so hoping he can get some sleep so his body can mend.  He is very weak.  The bacteria had destroyed part of aortic valve but patched part valve from last week still intact.

(Oct 1)  Hunter appears to be doing so much better.  He is off ventilator and monitors look very good.  Heart rate appears fairly normal.   Fluids are draining and hemoglobn getting better.  PTL! This update was from last night.

(Oct 2)  Hunter update:  Has been sitting up for a couple hours at a time, and he has to drink lots of Ensure. Needs to regain his strength back.  Pacemaker working well.  No need for any breathing assistance.

(Oct 3)  My nephew Hunter update:  Had a good day on Saturday.  Did not want visitors to leave, and he has a
smile on his face J
Hunter update:  Thank you to all who have prayed-from Doug and Eliz.  Hunter is progressing.  All 3 tubes that were draining fluids from body cavity have been removed.  Still a little feverish.  Please pray fungus and bacteria will all die.  Things are looking positive.

My husband, Hunter's Uncle Ben, was able to visit with Hunter and his dad for 1/2 hour this early afternoon. Hunter is sitting in his chair and had a craving for french fries.  He was only able to eat 6 and felt full.  They all
agreed he is a miracle.  A TV was to be brought into his room this afternoon also. 

So that's a major thing my extended and immediate family went through.  Hunter is at home now and connected to an antibiotic pump directly hooked up to his heart.  I think he'll be wearing that for about 6 months.  This is his last year of high school and since this whole thing started he hasn't been at school.  Hopefully he'll be able to catch up what he's missed, take advantage of a tutor and graduate on time.