Month: January 2005

Monday, 31 Jan 2005 ( 7 am ):

Last night was another quiet and restful night – no problems with her trach tube and no DeSat’s. Yesterday was moving day for little Ella and although she traveled just a short distance, her (our) quality of life improved dramatically.

Her new room, which is the same two-bed room GG stayed in during her first visit to TAMC way back in August, is much quieter than the four-bed room. This morning Ella is scheduled to have a high-resolution scan of her kidneys.

This diagnostic procedure is one of several tests performed, following her urinary tract infection, to ensure her renal system is fully functional. Thus far, all indications are that everything is normal. Our search for a home healthcare nurse continues. Please feel free to offer any suggestions or to pass our contact information on to those who may be able to help.

God bless and thank you for your prayers.

Sunday, 30 Jan 2005 ( 10 am ):

Gabriella has done well over the past two days. She is stable and appears to be well on her way to establishing a routine. Mum and Dad continue their training which will enable them to properly care for Ella’s trach tube. Both need to be completely comfortable with the procedures for removing and reinserting the trach tube, as well as how to handle unexpected situations. Thankfully, the pediatrics ward is not quite as busy as it was earlier in the week.

Ella is in a four bed room, so it can be fairly stressful when all the beds are full. Currently, she only has one roommate. Lucy is also doing well but she misses having her family together. She especially misses her little sister. As you can probably imagine we are anxious to bring Ella home as soon as it is safe to do so. Please know our family is doing well.

We are blessed to have your support and friendship.

Thank you for your prayers.

Friday, 28 Jan 2005 ( 10 am ):

As you can probably imagine, things sometimes get a bit hectic around here – that was the case recently and the reason why there was no update on 27 January. Shortly after 1 am on Thursday, Gabriella appeared to have some breathing difficulties. She received two respiratory therapy treatments, which helped for a short time, but soon the wheezing and sputtering returned. Finally, her condition improved after her 6 am feeding. Apparently the pats on her back during burping helped to break up the congestion in her lungs.

Although Ella’s condition never rose to the level of a “crisis,” she was clearly uncomfortable and fairly distressed for a number of hours – such is the nature of airway problems. Once she improved everyone felt great relief. Last night we stayed ahead of the power curve by giving her a respiratory therapy treatment, lots of pats on the back, and suction before she went to bed. That tactic seemed to work well as she slept soundly throughout the night. It has become abundantly clear to us over the past week that much care is required to maintain her respiratory health.

We are hopeful Gabriella will be discharged early next week, however, that is dependent upon several logistical issues. The fist of which is finding a home health care nurse who can help us look after wee Ella. We would like to thank everyone who is helping with that search effort. We are optimistic we will find someone soon. All for now,

Thank you for your prayers.

Wednesday, 26 Jan 2005 ( 5 am ):

Yesterday afternoon Gabriella transferred from the PICU to the General Pediatrics Ward. Once Gabriella was settled, the Doctors presided over another Trach tube change (cleanliness is next to Godliness). That procedure, which was thankfully uneventful, was performed by Ella’s Dad. Both Dad and Mum must master this skill, as well as several others, before Ella is allowed to go home. As for our quest to find a home-healthcare professional to help look after Ella: the search continues.

On a positive note, we believe Ella meets the qualification threshold required for that service. Qualification is “part one” of the home-healthcare issue, “part two” deals with the availability of trained personnel here on the island. We are hopeful that we will find a nurse locally, but if not, we are willing to try to “import” one from the mainland.

In other news, Lucy visited Ella yesterday after her Gymboree class with Grace Hausman.  According to Mum, Grace was a proper young lady. Lucy on the other hand was doing her best to bring life to the maternal admonition “just wait until you children.”

Every bit the two-year old, she enjoys exploring boundaries and testing life’s (Mum’s) limits. Finally, we are so grateful for the support we receive from friends new and old, thank you. And as always,

thank you for your prayers.

Tuesday, 25 Jan 2005 ( 5 am ):

Gabriella rested well despite two blockages to her “trach” tube overnight. Both blockages were cleared quickly so Ella’s stress level remained fairly low. Yesterday’s big event – the procedure to change Ella’s trach tube – went according to plan. Since Dr. Cable was pleased with the healing at the incision site (a.k.a. “stoma”) and her overall progress, he will probably transfer Ella to the General Pediatrics Ward some time today.

Once there, Mum and Dad will receive the requisite training to care for Ella at home – Trach tube changing and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), thus far. We will also attempt to ensure the other items needed for our transition to home are ready and in place. It is likely we will have a home-healthcare provider help us monitor Gabriella’s condition.

However, the one potential obstacle to that option is the fact that there is a shortage of nurses on the islands. So, if you know of a nurse who would like to spend a few months working in Hawaii, please let us know. If not, please remember that in your prayers.

Click on the photo to the left to see a photo of Gabriella’s Trach Tube. Once you see the narrowness of the trach tube opening, you will understand how easily it can become blocked. All for now. Please feel free to share Gabriella’s story with a friend…more prayers are always welcome. As always,

thank you for your prayers.

Monday, 24 Jan 2005 ( 8 am ):

Overnight, Gabriella rested peacefully – with no blockages to her “trach” tube. Yesterday, she experienced a few stressful events but no major blockages or DESAT’s. Ella continues to eat well and she seems more comfortable each day. Today’s big event will be the changing of her “trach” tube. During that procedure Dr. Cable will use a small fiber-optic scope to view the portion of her airway below trach tube.

He will also see if the incision site (stoma) is healing properly. If so, Dr. Cable will probably transfer Ella from the Pediatrics ICU to the General Pediatrics Ward. We look forward to taking that step, as it brings us one step closer to home. Lastly, please remember to say a prayer TODAY for Captain Hausman, USMC and all those who are defending freedom around the world. God bless you and

thank you for your prayers.

Prayers From Baghdad Real Heroes Say Their Prayers!

Captain Blake Hausman, USMC (pictured 2nd from left) deployed to Baghdad early last summer. When not deployed, Blake works with Matt at JICPAC (Joint Intelligence Center Pacific) in Hawaii. Blake’s wife, Angela and their daughter Grace, know Lisa and Lucy from the Gymboree playgroup. The Hausman family has been tremendously supportive over the past many months.

This photo is the latest example of their faith in action. Please join our family in thanking them by saying a prayer each day for the safe return of Blake and all of the soldiers who are defending freedom around the world.

Sunday, 23 Jan 2005 ( 9 am ):

Gabriella rested well again last night – her “trach” tube remained clear all night. Yesterday, Ella’s “trach tube” became blocked only once. While each of these events is frightening, the fact that they seem to be occurring less frequently gives us reason to be upbeat. Still, it is exceptionally difficult to leave Ella alone, even for brief periods, as all too often the monitors fail to perform adequately. The next major milestone for Ella is the first changing of her trach tube, which will likely occur tomorrow or the next day.

Once the doctors are satisfied that the opening in her trachea or “stoma” is healing properly she will be eligible to go home. However, there are a number of safety measures that must be in place before she is discharged. We hope you enjoy the recently posted photos. Click on the “photos” link above, and then click on “Oct 2004” or “Dec 2004”. You may notice Ella looks a bit more “cheeky” than usual in some of the Dec 2004 photos. That puffiness, which was caused by the steroids prescribed to reduce the narrowing in her airways, has thankfully subsided. All for now,

thank you for your prayers.

Saturday, 22 Jan 2005 ( 7am ):

Gabriella rested well last night – without a single blocked “trach” tube. On three occasions yesterday, Ella’s “trach tube” became blocked and her oxygen levels dropped (Oxygen Desaturation or “DESAT”} for a short time. Blockages are cleared using suction. A thin flexible hollow tube is inserted into the blocked “trach tube,” the mucus blockage or “plug” is then sucked clear. As you probably imagine, Ella is not particularly fond of this procedure – even though it helps her to breathe more easily. Yesterday’s DESAT incidents clearly demonstrated the fragile nature of

Ella’s current condition. Since Ella is unable to protect her own airway by coughing and unable to signal for help by crying, we are dependent upon monitors to sound the alarm. That dependency is a point of concern for both Mum and Dad, especially as we begin to think about caring for Ella at home. Thankfully we still have a few days to sort through these issues. For those who have recently signed our Guest Book, thank you for your words of encouragement and support – they mean so very much to us. And as always,

thank you for your prayers.

Friday, 21 Jan 2005 ( 5 am ):

The past 24 hours for Gabriella have had both ups and downs. When she woke yesterday morning she immediately needed pain medication. However, Ella’s stomach ruled supreme. Her requirements for pain medication diminished as she began to feed more often and more vigorously.

Despite the nurses interruptions, GG slept well last night. This morning we learned about the down-side of Ella’s tracheostomy – it can and WILL become blocked by her secretions. When that happens her oxygen level drops and suction must be used immediately to clear the blockage and open her airway.

Naturally, Ella doesn’t like any aspect of having her airway blocked or cleared. It is truly heartbreaking to see her little grimace as she does her “silent cry” – her tracheostomy is below her vocal cords, as such she is unable to vocalize. All for now…

thank you for your prayers.

Wednesday, 19 Jan 2005:

The past few weeks have been difficult for Gabriella. On 02 January she had an episode where she turned purple for no apparent reason. Mom’s call to 9-1-1 brought the entire Kailua Fire Department to Kaluamoo street in less than 4 minutes…Ella the chameleon remained purple throughout the 30 minute episode while continuing to breathe. This really baffled the Paramedics, especially since they had her on oxygen. After the high speed ambulance ride to Tripler we learned GG was running a fairly high fever and that she had a urinary track infection.

About one week later, Ella’s nose was clogged (with what we thought was a cold) and she was having a hard time breathing as she had not yet transitioned to breathing through her mouth. After several visits to the Ear, Nose, Throat clinic, GG was admitted to the hospital on 14 Jan for observation of her respiratory system. 24 hours later she was discharged – we headed back to Kailua with a bag full of home monitoring equipment and some new antibiotics. Five days later (19 Jan) wee Ella’s condition had not improved, so Mom made the decision to head back to the hospital. As always, Mother knows best.

Ella underwent another surgery this afternoon. That inspection revealed her subglottic stenosis has returned. Rather than attempt the same repair technique, it was deemed best to establish a reliable airway by performing a tracheostomy. Gabriella tolerated that surgical procedure well and is now resting comfortably in the Pediatric ICU ward.

We know each of you share in our disappointment that the previous repair was unsuccessful. Although, the next few weeks and months will be trying for Gabriella and our family, our faith will sustain us. As always,

thank you for your prayers.