Sunday, December 11, 2011

Grunting

I saw Scott briefly this evening (remember, he works 12-hour night shifts on the weekend) and I mentioned to him how I noticed since Wednesday that Shelby has been grunting a lot.  He said that he noticed that, too.  I asked him to check with the nurses at work to see if they knew what it was...then I googled it.  Grunting is a sign of respiratory distress.  :-O  I put a call into Chicago and the on-call Pulmonologist wanted to consult her attending.  She was thinking Shelby might have to be admitted to Chicago tonight.  Luckily, when she called back she had better news.  They do not think Shelby is going to have any acute respiratory failure tonight.  They told me to turn up her oxygen to 4 liters and have her rest...all the time.  I am monitoring her sats continuously and am sitting next to her to make sure she doesn't get wiggly (that makes her de-sat!).  I am to call her Pulmonologist first thing in the morning as they may want to see her and admit her then so she can be on the high-flow (6+ liters) oxygen.  If at any time tonight, I think she's getting worse I'm to take her to our local ER so they can stabilize her then transport her to Children's.  :-(

Please, pray harder than you ever have that her new liver comes VERY soon.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Praying so hard for your family! I can't imagine. Sending lots of love your way and hoping for that call. It WILL come! Nicole Schandelmeier

Anonymous said...

Praying for Shelby and all of you.

amber said...

Praying hard for a new liver for Shelby. I hope tonight goes smoothly for you guys.

Anonymous said...

We are praying for you guys Jenn - I just know that liver is going to show up, I just know it... we love you all very much - hoping you feel everyones prayers... xo

Melissa and Donovin

moreena said...

Ugh ugh ugh. I remember grunting--that was just before they put Anni in the PICU before her first liver. Not so good. I'm glad that Shelby is already on oxygen, and she has parents there who can monitor her all the time, but it does sound like admitting her is a good idea. This kind of stress is hell on a parent. Come on, transplant. Come on.

Anonymous said...

Just know that you and your lovely family are in so many peoples thoughts as you go through this.