Sunday, April 6, 2008

Is a better tomorrow a pipe dream we are chasing? (Day 1 of ICU - Critical state)

Well, I had hoped for a better tomorrow yesterday. It didn't happen. Infact, this has been the worst day till now.

Shivam was in severe pain, nausea and was vomiting the whole of last night. He also had a low grade fever which kept us awake and monitoring him. Around 7 AM, his fever touched 100.8 and that's when Dr. Rabi Hanna told us over phone to rush to emergency. We reached here and were whisked into the room for checkups.

Shivam's condition started deteriorating very rapidly here. His sugar fell to low 50's and was not getting up in spite of large doses of sugar. His fever was out of control. He was extremely dehydrated and was near fainting. His oxygen level dropped to low 80's (should be near 100) and in spite of continuous supply via mask, he was not breathing on his own. They were pumping meds (all sorts - antibiotics, saline, for pulse, etc.) but he was not responding. To further complicate the situation, his BP dropped very low. The lower number was fluctuating around 12 - 16 which is very very low. They declared him a high risk patient and immediately there was a flurry of doctors and nurses and they worked together to bring him up.

Around 4 hours and little more stabilization, they decided to move him into ICU for tighter monitoring. Meds were continually being pumped into him. X-rays of chest and abdomen were taken. Blood samples drawn. The doctor talked with us about adding 2 more IV lines as his port was insufficient for the number of infusions and draws that were needed. They worked like a well oiled machine and in a few hours he had 2 more lines - one on his neck and one on his hand.

Things were a little blurry as our little baby was in extreme pain and we were just standing on the side helplessly watching modern machines do their jobs. He went low on platelets and blood and the doctor ordered several transfusions. The platelets were given in the evening and blood is going on right now. His BP is now better than before. But he still is not able to breathe on his own and needs continuous oxygen.

Some more reports confirmed that the bacteria had invaded his blood stream and he has what is known as blood poisoning. The antibiotics are killing the bacteria and they are releasing toxins into the blood stream. His abdomen wall has also been invaded.

The doctors have declared him to be "very sick" and have said that next 24-48 hours are very critical. His survival depends on his recovery pattern.

The hardest part is that he keeps on waking up every 5 mins and asks for water. But we cannot give him. Explaining him is a nightmare. Urmila and I are taking turns sleeping for 1/2 hour each.

Is a better tomorrow a pipe dream we are chasing?

7 comments:

Meeta Prakash said...

thats not so good news to hear ....i have been praying hard that the new year that starts today brings in stability and good news for us ......hope that God hears us ........

Anonymous said...

Our prayers are with your family & Shivam. You may have already done this already, but if not, please pray to Lord Balaji that you will visit him with Shivam in Tirupathi and offer something.
-kmr

Anonymous said...

There shall always be a better tomorrow. We all are praying for Shivam.

Mette said...

thinking about you all and praying and praying. i'm so sorry things are so hard. -mette and zoe

sudeb said...

not good news to listen...keep tight. you and urmila should take rest in turn.
our prayers are always with you all.
sudeb

Anonymous said...

Father God, in the name of Your only Son Yeshua, I pray for this little boy. I bind this cancer by the Blood of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. I bind you satan and every demon that comes to kill, steal and destroy in this child's life. The Lord rebuke you and bind you now. Father I ask you to send your Word, Jesus, and heal this child. I ask that the blood Jesus shed on the cross when he gave his life for us all, would transfuse adn infuse into this child's body and cleanse his blood of this cancer... I ask you Father for the gifts of healing, miracles and faith to be released into this child's life. I ask you to supernaturally heal and deliver this child so that ALL will know that You are the One True God who sent His Son, Jesus, for our sins, our sickness and diseases.. by the stripes of Jesus this boy was healed... May the Lord be exalted and praised for His Goodness and Mercy are from everlasting to everlasting. Thank you Father. Amen!

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXCJhEtCM2Q

hope this blesses you guys...