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The medical team is planning to attempt another CT scan. They noted that his oxygen levels are currently stable, which is an improvement from the last time they attempted the scan—during that previous attempt, laying him flat caused his oxygen levels to drop and his intracranial pressure (ICP) to rise. This time, they want to proceed with caution by doing a trial of laying him down again while closely monitoring his vitals.

During the trial, his oxygen dipped and ICP increased again, so the nurses quickly returned him to an upright position, and his vital signs rebounded. Despite these challenges, the team still wants to move forward with the CT scan. To make it safer, they plan to administer a paralytic to help make his lungs more compliant with the ventilator. This should help maintain better oxygenation while he’s lying down.

A positive sign is that he has been breathing on his own, though at a rate that’s too fast. The CT scan itself should only take about five minutes, but the team is most concerned about the brief period when he needs to remain flat. They plan to scan his brain, lungs, and spleen to gather more information about his condition.

Cardiologist stopped by, she continues to suspect blood clot in the lung. Causing right side to be stressed and have oxygenation issues. They are not going to do blood thinners right now, but will take it minute by minute and make any decisions if needed. She told the nurse the EKG looks a little better than yesterdays EKG.

Neurology Dr said that brain wise, he’s within pressure ranges and IF everything continues to be stable, the bolt can come off in 24 hours.

This morning’s X-ray doesn’t show too much improvement but report shows stable.

Everyone was pleased with the SPO2 numbers being so high @ 98% which was described to me as 9 out of 10 blood cells are being saturated with oxygen. It must from all those that are each praying for one cell at a time. Interesting fact: There are over 200 different cell types, each with specialized functions, building tissues, organs, and systems to keep the body functioning. God certainly designed our bodies with such great care and attention!

The ventilator is still assisting 100% to breathe for him.

The Artic Sun machine came back again to regulate his fever.

Specific prayer for today: Pray that there is no blood clot or that it goes away. That the antibiotics work on overdrive to clear up the lung and that brain pressure numbers remain stable.

A big shout out to friends Sammy, Anika and Drew who have been the waiting room crew. They have been a huge blessing to our family. I can’t thank them enough for making sure we have what we need and have go above and beyond everyday to take care of us. Thank you.

The Dr sat down with us late last night. Seth wasn’t able to tolerate the CT scan because his oxygen saturations were too low, so there were no definitive results regarding pulmonary embolism. Seth has severe ARDS -Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. He is fighting multiple issues and the lung issues makes the brain issue worse. Dr said he has “no miraculous intervention” which made our hearts drop. But we know that Jesus intervenes for us both on earth and in heaven.

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” Hebrews 7:25

1:30 am- Chaplain stopped by for prayer and reassurance of Easter’s promise. The nurse, Alyssa, has been wonderful and caring.

5:01 am Nurse able to clean him, she removed the Artic Sun temperature system since he no longer has fevers, but if he did get one, there are other ways to treat it. SPO2 (% of oxygen in the blood that is bound to hemoglobin) 96%, ICP 4-6 (went down a lot after the CT drama).

5:31 am HR 113 CPP 60. PO2 18 BP 111/47 SPO2 98

5: 46 am Pupils stable, ICP 6, he’s off pressers (med to squeeze to different vessels to help make blood pressure higher) for now but may need them later. An X-ray was done around 4 am, no result yet.

6:20 am- Surgery Dr that attended the attempted CT last night was impressed that the SP02 was higher 98% as it had tanked to 25-45% last night. Hearing this news gave me a bit of relief.

For now, Seths numbers are stable. But as we’ve experienced, things can change in a breath.

Today’s specific prayer request is that the antibiotics work faster to help clear out the lungs.

– Darcy

PS, We’ve added Michael to the prayer board. He came in after motorcycle accident and his brain stem is bleeding.

May the Lord bless Seth and keep him; may the Lord make his face shine upon him and be gracious to him; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon him and give him peace. Num 6:24-26

Hold your loved ones close today

Prayer said with Seth tonight: I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Cardiologist suspects pulmonary embolism. They are going to do CT scan immediately instead of treating blindly with blood thinners. Seth hasn’t tolerated CT scans well as his pressures go crazy when he’s laying down. God’s got you, Buddy!

Please listen and read the lyrics of this beautiful song while Seth is in his scan.

Ultrasound showed no clot in Seth’s legs. We are still waiting to hear from cardiologist about a blood clot. Antibiotics were changed. Sometimes with a lot of fluids in the lungs, a patient is put on their stomach to relieve the pressure and allow the back of the lungs to inflate more. Of course, this isn’t an option for Seth. He started a fever again which is controlled by the Arctic Sun, which is a system that runs water thru bags and keeps his temperature controlled. He’d probably make a joke about being an extra “cool” guy now.

6:06 HR 112 ICP 19 CPP 70

-Darcy

Update on prayer board friend, Danita. She was removed off of life support and said I love you to her husband. Most of her colon was removed and she has a plate around her ribs. Her husband, Josh is appreciative of the thoughts and prayers. He was also hurt in the accident and has been sleeping at the hospital this whole time with her.

Seth’s oxygen levels dropped, and his heart rate rose to 130. In response, the medical team made adjustments to his treatment to better support his breathing.

Thankfully, he appears to be responding—his oxygen levels have returned to normal. However, his heart rate remains high.

The doctors believe his lungs are in respiratory distress, and they are considering using a paralytic to help his lungs better synchronize with the ventilator. Under normal circumstances, they would place him on his stomach to support lung function, but due to concerns about swelling in his brain, that approach isn’t currently an option.

They also suspect the presence of a blood clot in his heart. An echocardiogram has been performed, and they are now waiting for results. A cardiologist will be brought in to help evaluate his condition and guide the next steps.

On the upside, Dr Thomas, the trauma doctor said that his brain swelling has been relatively stable. They also mentioned they have some more tools in their toolbox. Hopefully we don’t have to use them.

The night nurse was concerned about the PO2 being 16 but the neurocritical team’s primary concern were the ICP & CPP #’s. Those numbers were stable throughout the night. He is currently on 4 different pain meds: Fentanyl & Oxycodone are given for pain management, Propofol for sedation (relaxation and sleepiness) and Versed for sedation (usually given before surgery or medical procedures). Interesting fact: Fentanyl is 100 x more potent than morphine and 50 x more potent than heroine.

Xray still showing fluid in lungs. Because of everything they are giving him, it’s hard for him to keep up. He will get 2 shots today of Lasix (yesterday he only got one). Interesting fact: Lasix got it’s name because it “lasts six hours.”

He’s still requiring a lot from the ventilator. They need to replace a part that was frozen. His pneumonia is pretty bad, but the mucus is thin and not sticky. They will increase the ventilator pressure.

Dr from neurology said pressures went well during the night and that no intervention needed to happen like yesterday. If things continue well for the 48-72 hours they can remove the bolt so they can do an MRI. The MRI will see what kind of damage there is.

They are adding milk of magnesium & suppository. The nurse just told us he did have a bowel movement so thank you all who were praying for poop! 🙂

ICU trauma team has decided to decrease the Propofol because his trigylcerides were getting too high (785). Yesterday it was in the 500 range. Ben thinks the level was already high because of the double cheeseburgers Seth loves. Versed has been increased. New range for CPP is now >55. Left chest tube will be taken out. The right chest tube will be water sealed (which what I understand is there is no draining of fluid or air happening). Every tube is a source of infection so having one and hopefully both be removed is good.

A friend shared with me that while it’s not apparent the healing that happens, it does happen cell by cell. Interesting fact: There are an estimated 37.2 trillion cells in the human body. If we can get 37.2 trillion people to pray for one cell each, that would be awesome!

-Darcy

PS, Update on Jesse Jr on our prayer board: Jesse Jr was on motorcycle and hit by a UPS truck. Today he was extubated and is breathing on his own. A neck collar was was put on as a disk is bulged out. He will need surgery for his knee for sure, he is awake and asks for water and to ask what happened. Praise the Lord for those improvements!

Every time it seems like Seth is on the highest dose of something, it’s raised again. The ICP was of concern and given 2 bolus of 23% saline today. Precedex was discontinued as it didn’t seem to be doing anything. He’s been started on a 7 day antibiotic for bacterial pneumonia.

Seth’s on/been given so many things I wonder how his body can handle it all. I’ve always been amazed at how God created all of our parts to work together as one well-balanced system. Now I’m even more amazed of the extreme and delicate care that is made to manage medications, fluids, oxygen, temperature and stimuli to protect the organs.

11:07 pm Neurocritical team paged as PO2 is 16. Their primary concern is that ICP and CPP #’s stay within range.

11:31 pm ICP 19 CPP 66 HR 97 PO2 20 BP 143/66

Specific prayer tonight:

1) Having a bowel movement (when he wakes up and reads this, he’s going to be so embarrassed)

2) Better ICP and PO2 numbers

Here is a beautiful song sent by Anika, one of his best friends since preschool.

Pictures are of the little corner of his room that we are allowed to put things up.

-Darcy

There was a concern within the last couple of hours in which the ICP spiked up to 28 (needs to be less than 20) At the same time his arterial line (ART), a tube inserted into an artery to monitor blood pressure, needed to be replaced. They tried to go up on Versed which didn’t help so they gave him a bolus of 23% sodium saline solution which helped bring the level down. You are all learning medical terms with me!

In the process they increased the ventilator 100%.

2:01 pm Dropping Precedex levels since it doesn’t seem to be working but giving Oxycodone instead.

ICP 12 PO2 30 HR 93 BP 125/59 CPP 63

Our prayer board has more names on it now. Please add these people in your prayers as they are doors down from Seth. They have families who also weren’t expecting to be here and although each situation is different and requires different complicated medical treatment, they need the same prayers of comfort, strength, hope and miracles just like you are making for Seth and our family.