For those of you who tried to access the site between 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. this morning, I apologize that you couldn't do so. The entire blogger.com website went down for a while, which was the result of an apparent web attack. So, please accept my apologies.
The latest I have from Kathy (via Bonnie Abbott and Melissa Young) is that Bennett will begin the ECMO procedure this morning. If that is the case, Travis should be able to go in and see him at noon today. I am trying to confirm these details now.
Travis described the ECMO procedure on his post from last night, so please link to "Bennett's Site" at the right if you're interested in learning more about it. I've also done some research, and per the University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center, ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation):
- is a treatment method for critically ill newborns whose lungs are unable to provide sufficient oxygenation of the blood
- acts as an artificial heart and lung to support oxygenation for a period of days while the baby's lungs are allowed to recover
- involves two pieces: 1) a heart/lung apparatus to which the baby is connected and 2) a surgical procedure to implement the proper devices into the baby's body
- acts as an artificial lung for the baby who is unable to get sufficient oxygen to his/her body. The entire "heart/lung" apparatus is referred to as the ECMO circuit.
- typically lasts 7 to 10 days. That length of ECMO therapy is usually enough time to allow the lungs to become more self-sufficient.
So, the bottom line is that this procedure is serious but necessary. Please pray that Bennett's body will respond well to the therapy and that he will begin to heal. I'll provide more updates as I have them.
3 comments:
Erica,
Travis was able to see Bennett after the procedure. He is still very critical but for right now the Drs. are pleased with how well Bennett has handled all of this horribly invasive procedure. For right now his oxygen levels are perfect! Praise God!!
The machine is still doing everything for him (breathing, heart beating) but this gives his body the opportunity it needs to heal and destress from all of this!
The prayer pager still continues to go off every couple of minutes and from time to time it goes off for 10 or more secs consistantly!
Bennett is still not out of the woods so keep those prayers coming!!
Thanks for the update Ellyn! As you can imagine, it's so hard being so far away during times like this. If you visit them, please send them our love!!
Praying in Tennessee!
Julie Beth (Wray) Fox
Post a Comment