Case Study

 I don't have much more to report... the doctors haven't said anything more about this new procedure... but I did find another case study in which it had positive results.

http://www.casesjeditorial.com/content/1/1/150

Not sure this one will help, but it might be worth reading anyway...

http://www.theannals.com/cgi/content/full/42/6/771

Conference with the Doctor

Hey all this is Layne, Jenni's brother. I'm updating so that Josh does not have to do it. Jenni's situation is quite bleak. The steroid treatments normally used to correct her condition have not worked. The secondary treatment, factor VII has not worked, at least not well enough. At this point there are really no treatment options available. If Jenni does not begin to recover in the next couple of days, she will not recover.

We are out of treatments, and running out of time. We ask you for your prayers.

Grace and Peace
Layne

Quick Update

Jenni appears to be doing a little better today. I didn't get the visitation hours problem fixed with the patient advocate, but he was at least able to get me Jenni's lab work each day and said that the visitation hours would be addressed later on. Most of her blood counts were closer to normal range and they didn't have to give her a blood transfusion today. The only exception is her number of platelets, so they were giving her more platelets when I left a few hours ago.

She coughed up some blood this morning (which scared me half to death) but the nurse said that it might be a good thing. If the blood is fresh, she is probably bleeding more, but if it is old, it may mean that her clotting has improved and her body is cleaning out the lungs naturally.

Her team of doctors is meeting this afternoon to discuss quite a few things (such as continuing the Factor VII, doing another bronchoscopy, and what to do about the chest tube) but I haven't heard any of their decisions yet so I'm still in the dark. Hopefully I'll be able to post some more definitive results soon.

Just A Little Update

The Dr. put the chest tube in successfully! Hopefully this will reinflate her lung soon. The Factor VII that they are giving her seems to be helping. Which is a good sign. Josh is back there with her now. My sister is a fighter (just like my mama was)! She will prevail. Stay strong Jenni. I love you! <3 your twin

Late Night Update

Tonight, Jenni began receiving a drug that they are calling Factor 7. It has some dangerous side effects, but the doctors think that the potential rewards outweigh the risks at this point. They have to stop the bleeding in the lungs before they can stabilize her and fix the rest. The doctors also added another line to give her drugs, this one in a vein in her neck. They are also slowly decreasing the percentage of oxygen given to her through the breathing tube. They want to reduce it to fairly normal levels, so it is a good thing that it was reduced and she tolerated the lower level of oxygen well.

She was somewhat awake this evening and we talked to her some. She smiled when I told her that Carolina won today, and that really helped my peace of mind. She can't talk, but she can nod her head or squeeze your hand for yes/no questions.

She seemed okay when we left. I'll feel better when I'm back with her again in the morning.