Avian Gamers Network :: View topic - Request for Prayer and Support

First and foremost, Ken and I and my entire family want to thank everyone that has poured out their blessings and prayers for Amanda. She is truly a fighter.

As of 1:30 am, she doing about the same as the last few days. Her status is that she is breathing on her own with the help of a ventilator just to be sure she is stablized so she can work hard to repair her brain. Her heartrate and blood pressure is all good and she does a good job of regulating herself when she does get frustrated (like when they are moving her and doing stuff to her). While she is not showing any movement, swallowing, agitation, coughing, etc., her eyes are responsive and they seem to me to open when we speak to her. She will try to move her eyes to one side or the other depending on where the person is that is talking. It is not all the time, but she does it!! Amen.

The attending doctor has been very to the point with us and it has been a little difficult to handle her delivery of information. Basically, her diagnosis is that Amanda will not progress any further and if anything get worse. She asked us to make a decision of a do not resucitate and Ken and I declined. We want them to try and revive her if cardiac arrest comes or something like that. They will be doing a Cat Scan today. While it will not change the course of her treatment, it will tell us about any swelling and the status of her brain. The doctor has tried to explain to us our "options" like: she could remain as she is and be weaned from the ventilator and do fine, but she would have to have a tracheotomy; or some parents choose to end it and "that is their decision and alright too". We are thinking no such thing as long as she can breath and her eyes are responsive. She is alive. We believe and are praying that her brain is still healing and what I call "defragmenting" and she could still regain functions.

Ken and I both were able to hold her on her birthday on Saturday. That was awesome but stressful as well. I might do it again soon. She was just given food last night via a tube that is bypassing her stomach (only 2cc per hour) but its food. She does have slight beginnings of pnemonia and they are treating her with antibiotics. The only other drug she is getting is something for possible seizures, which she doesn't seem to be having. That is good.

Right now Ken and I are staying at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital in Birmingham and the girls are with their grandmother back in Tuscaloosa. We have received a lot of offers for support to help with them so that is a load off. They were in Birmingham with me this weekend and it was definitely needed.

Sorry this was so lengthy I will try to send updates out when I can, we have limited use of the internet. Please continue to send encouraging emails I can view them on my cell phone but it is hard to respond with the phone key pad so I may not reply.

If anyone knows of encouraging stories of similar situations of children without oxygen for extended time (over 20 minutes) and any survival stories of any capacity, please forward. I like to know there have been miracles performed and it encourages me to keep the faith. I fully trust God's will and plan for our lives and whatever the outcome we will get through this.

I know a lot of people have heard and are praying for us from word of mouth, please forward the message and continue the prayer.

Love - Alisa and Ken

Author:	Talon1977 [ Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:14 am ]
Post subject:	Request for Prayer and Support
We learned late last night that some good friends of my wife's and mine, who have 3 little girls, had to rush their youngest to the hospital last night. She choked on one of the little vienna sausage things they make for kids. When the ambulance arrived, she wasn't breathing. They revived her after several minutes, miraculously, and rushed her to intensive care. This morning we got a call from the mother, and we were told that she's still in critical condition and they're going to continue to monitor her. The little girl, Amanda, is opening her eyes some, and her lungs and heart some to be ok. They don't know whether or not she will have any lasting brain damage yet. Amanda is only 1 year old, so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers today. Thanks.

Author:	Master Edward [ Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:32 am ]
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I will, Talon, I will. Edward

Author:	Rocklar [ Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:43 am ]
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Now that I have my little Gracie, I can hardly bear to watch TV shows that picture little kids in jeopardy. Hearing about such real life events make me sick. Little Amanda will certainly be with me in thought and prayer today.

Author:	Moon [ Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:37 am ]
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I think all of us with children have probably had a scare with our own children choking on things. It's so easily done and my heart really goes out to Amanda's family. I sincerely hope Amanda has a full and speedy recovery. Our positive thoughts are with her.

Author:	Locke_Trinmin [ Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:33 pm ]
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She'll be fine, there's an angel watching over her. My prayers will go out to her.

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Author:	Golga Bolg [ Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:50 pm ]
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Rocklar wrote: Now that I have my little Gracie, I can hardly bear to watch TV shows that picture little kids in jeopardy. Hearing about such real life events make me sick. Little Amanda will certainly be with me in thought and prayer today. Same here, but with Little Isabelle. Certainly our thoughts are with you, and them Talon.

Author:	Talon1977 [ Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:04 pm ]
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Just an update... We got a call a couple hours ago, saying Amanda is still stable, and things look good, but she has still been sleeping for the most part. Her eyes have been opening slightly, but not focusing on much of anything. Will keep you guys updated.

Author:	Arindel [ Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:38 pm ]
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My hopes and prayers are going out to your friends family.

Author:	Cetera [ Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:27 pm ]
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I'll certainly be praying for her swift and complete recovery. Keep us updated, man.

Author:	TheMole [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:09 am ]
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Ditto. Best wishes.

Author:	Talon1977 [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:14 pm ]
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Thanks guys. Another update this morning. Still on a ventilator, Amanda has not done much but open her eyes every once in a while. The think she was probably without oxygen for over 20 minutes. They think that if she does live, she will probably not have much brain activity. Miracles still happen, and I will not lose hope for her to make a full recovery. They had attempted to remove the ventilator, but her breathing became to quick and they put her back on it. They think this is probably because she can't cry, and she is scared. Please think of this little girl and her parents today, as they say that today will probably be the day they find out just how extensive the damage is.

Author:	nasiobo [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:26 pm ]
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My heart goes out to them. With two kids of my own I can't even start to imagine what they are going through. That is just awful. When my son was about 18 months old he choked on a piece of candy he grabbed from one of the kitchen drawers. Luckily I saw him do it and was able to immediately dislodge it. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.

Author:	iJasonT [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:47 pm ]
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oh man. I am not really sur ewhat to say other that you and your friends have all my thoughts and hopes. Let no one ever forget the pure healing of love and thought.

Author:	Azzameen85 [ Sat Mar 19, 2005 12:29 pm ]
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My thoughts and paryers are with your friends. Know the experience. My brother had it about 16 years ago. He was about 7 I was 3.

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Author:	Talon1977 [ Sun Mar 20, 2005 11:15 am ]
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At this time, as of this morning, things are not looking positive. The doctors are asking the parents questions about what they want done in the event that she goes into cardiac arrest. I can't imagine hearing those words about my child. Her brain is swollen quite a bit, and it appears there is next to no brain activity. She's able to breath on her own, and she opens her eyes when her mother comes in the room and talks to her, clearly responding to her voice. Other than that, nothing. It's oddly like the Terry Shivo case, which doesn't make it any easier. We'll probably know more in a day or two.

Author:	Rocklar [ Sun Mar 20, 2005 11:22 am ]
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I have no words or at best don't know how to say what I'm feeling. Know that family is in the forefront of my mind and my heart goes out to them.

Author:	Talon1977 [ Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:16 pm ]
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This morning, we recieved the following email from the mother, Alisa: Quote: First and foremost, Ken and I and my entire family want to thank everyone that has poured out their blessings and prayers for Amanda. She is truly a fighter. As of 1:30 am, she doing about the same as the last few days. Her status is that she is breathing on her own with the help of a ventilator just to be sure she is stablized so she can work hard to repair her brain. Her heartrate and blood pressure is all good and she does a good job of regulating herself when she does get frustrated (like when they are moving her and doing stuff to her). While she is not showing any movement, swallowing, agitation, coughing, etc., her eyes are responsive and they seem to me to open when we speak to her. She will try to move her eyes to one side or the other depending on where the person is that is talking. It is not all the time, but she does it!! Amen. The attending doctor has been very to the point with us and it has been a little difficult to handle her delivery of information. Basically, her diagnosis is that Amanda will not progress any further and if anything get worse. She asked us to make a decision of a do not resucitate and Ken and I declined. We want them to try and revive her if cardiac arrest comes or something like that. They will be doing a Cat Scan today. While it will not change the course of her treatment, it will tell us about any swelling and the status of her brain. The doctor has tried to explain to us our "options" like: she could remain as she is and be weaned from the ventilator and do fine, but she would have to have a tracheotomy; or some parents choose to end it and "that is their decision and alright too". We are thinking no such thing as long as she can breath and her eyes are responsive. She is alive. We believe and are praying that her brain is still healing and what I call "defragmenting" and she could still regain functions. Ken and I both were able to hold her on her birthday on Saturday. That was awesome but stressful as well. I might do it again soon. She was just given food last night via a tube that is bypassing her stomach (only 2cc per hour) but its food. She does have slight beginnings of pnemonia and they are treating her with antibiotics. The only other drug she is getting is something for possible seizures, which she doesn't seem to be having. That is good. Right now Ken and I are staying at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital in Birmingham and the girls are with their grandmother back in Tuscaloosa. We have received a lot of offers for support to help with them so that is a load off. They were in Birmingham with me this weekend and it was definitely needed. Sorry this was so lengthy I will try to send updates out when I can, we have limited use of the internet. Please continue to send encouraging emails I can view them on my cell phone but it is hard to respond with the phone key pad so I may not reply. If anyone knows of encouraging stories of similar situations of children without oxygen for extended time (over 20 minutes) and any survival stories of any capacity, please forward. I like to know there have been miracles performed and it encourages me to keep the faith. I fully trust God's will and plan for our lives and whatever the outcome we will get through this. I know a lot of people have heard and are praying for us from word of mouth, please forward the message and continue the prayer. Love - Alisa and Ken

Author:	Locke_Trinmin [ Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:59 pm ]
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It's good to hear that she's doing better. My prayers go out to her every night.

Author:	Cyrus Rex [ Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:07 pm ]
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Quote: The attending doctor has been very to the point with us and it has been a little difficult to handle her delivery of information. Basically, her diagnosis is that Amanda will not progress any further and if anything get worse. I think doctors are good people... but they, like the rest of us are human, thus they are not always correct when trying to predict the future. In 1995 my mother had a bad reaction to medicine she was on. A doctor told my father that the swelling of her brain was creating pressure against her cranium, and because of this my mother would not be able to drive again, she would not be able to hold adult conversations, and would not be able to do most things adults take for granted. I was only allowed to see her a few times, my father would not let me for several days. Once she was “better” my father let my brother and I visit her… what I saw, and perhaps most troubling, what I heard from her gave me headaches beyond belief. Thinking about it today causes the back of my head to hurt. My mother acted like a 5 year old. She laughed at the dumbest stuff, the words she used were the most elementary. My mother was a RN, she was extremity smart, and to hear and see her functioning at such a juvenile level almost brought me to my knees. I hugged and kissed her, I tried to be encouraging for her… but I had to get out of her room as fast as I could before my mind exploded. A few days later My father broke the bad news to me at my part time job. My father was not an emotional man, but he could not even stand when he told me the bad news. I tied to be strong in front of my father, but after seeing him off I hid at work and cried for hours. Bad news like that about my mother hurt me… but even worse was seeing my father in such a state hurt me even more. It Is hard for me to remember the exact span of time, I kept going to school, I kept working after school. It seems like just a few weeks later my mother was back home driving and doing everything as if nothing had ever happened. To this day she is as normal as ever. The Doc made his best prediction, and it is his job to tell people like us his honest projection…. But in my mothers case he was wrong.

Author:	Cetera [ Mon Mar 21, 2005 10:39 pm ]
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Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. Things have to be rough. I'll keep praying. I'm always torn about things like this. It sucks so much, for everyone involved. If I was the parent, I'm not sure what I'd do. A DNR I think would be alright, morally, but damn would that be a hard decision to make for your little girl. On the other hand, sometimes it just isn't meant to be, and everyone has a time to go. If there are no other medical alternatives, that'd be something I'd look at doing. I'd certainly not do anything to shorten her life, but if her body gives up the fight, it may be time to let her go. Keep us informed, and be sure to let the family know we're praying for her.

Author:	Azzameen85 [ Thu Mar 24, 2005 10:47 pm ]
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Quote: If anyone knows of encouraging stories of similar situations of children without oxygen for extended time (over 20 minutes) and any survival stories of any capacity, please forward. I like to know there have been miracles performed and it encourages me to keep the faith. I fully trust God's will and plan for our lives and whatever the outcome we will get through this. Well. Talon, you have my permission to forward this little story for your friends if you would like to. As I said before my brother had a problem with breathing at a young age. It was not because of drowning or anything obstructing his breathing. He had some sort of disease that made him unable to breathe. He grew out of it when he got older. I cannot tell in details, but I was told by my mother a long time ago that there was one time where he had turned littlerally blue around his mouth. That was before my time, but his breathing problem happened frequently at a very young age. The doctors predictions weren't the best. Now my brother is doing fine. He isn't so bookish and have troubles with elementary mathmatics. Very light analphabetic. Also a little slow at learning, but he is very good at working with his hands. Just hope it gives any meaning.

Author:	Angelus [ Fri Mar 25, 2005 1:48 pm ]
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Just saw this post now. My thoughts and wishes are with your friends Talon. I don't personally know of any miracle stories directly but I see medical miracles on the news every week. A story from Toronto just a couple weeks ago had a girl tossed off a bridge overpassing a freeway. Initially no one thought she would live the night but a week or so later she walked out of the hospital one her own legs. Great things can and do happen. Keep the faith.

Author:	Delsana [ Fri Mar 25, 2005 2:19 pm ]
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Just read this, my prayers go to amanda and i hope she recovers, i know all about what shes been through because something similar happened to me. When your a tiny little baby you don't think very well....

Author:	Talon1977 [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:46 pm ]
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Thank you all for your support and kind words. Last night, the parents decided to take Amanda off the vent, and within 40 minutes, she passed away. Please continue to pray for the family. As small as the life was that was lost, the size of the loss was immeasurable. Amanda's funeral will be this Sunday afternoon.

Author:	bigyak [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:59 pm ]
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So painful to imagine. My heart goes out to them. Talk about a life- and conscious-altering event.

Author:	Arindel [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:28 pm ]
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That rips my heart out. I can't imagine what they are going through.

Author:	Cetera [ Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:47 pm ]
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That really sucks, man. Let them know that we'll keep them in our prayers.

Author:	Azzameen85 [ Sun Apr 03, 2005 3:51 am ]
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A life is never really gone as long as some one remembers it.

Author:	Talon1977 [ Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:29 pm ]
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Today was the funeral, and it was honestly one of the most difficult things to see - a parent burying their child. Thanks again, for all the kind words, and support.

Author:	Rocklar [ Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:45 pm ]
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While I can only enter into their loss in my mind, my heart goes out to the family. From what I heard here about Amanda's condition, those parents made an immeasurably difficult but good decision, putting Amanda's quality of life before their own desires. Thanks for passing this story on to us, Talon. Not to be morbid, but stories like this help us to realise what we have and the tenuous at best, grip we have.