Story of what Happend 7/23-7/25

On Thursday, July 23, Johanna woke up around 8 am very agitated and hard to console. She would not take a bottle and was very upset.  Alyssa got her to calm down and rest for a few hours, but by 10 am things had definitely changed!  She began grunting and was hard to rouse.  Her eyes when open were glassy and very unfocused. After efforts to rouse her failed, we took big brother to daycare, called ahead to the clinic, and began heading in by 12 pm. On the road to the clinic, we got a call directing us to head to the ER instead of the clinic because the clinic in Brookings knew that there was likely nothing they could do to help support Jo. 

When we arrived at the ER, she was quickly assessed, and it was deemed that things were quite critical.  Phone calls were made to Sanford Pediatrics in Sioux Falls. Meanwhile, they started an IV and began running tests for viral infections and the like. 
Jo tested positive for a virus that causes the common cold in older patients (human metapneumovirus).  It was deemed that her case was indeed quite serious, and she was airlifted to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls. 

Upon arriving, Jo was admitted to the PICU and intubated to ensure she was safe and allow her body the freedom to conserve energy rather than working to breathe on her own.  

Later in the night, to check on her lungs, she was given a CT scan, at which point it was discovered that she had a large hematoma on the back of her brain(cerebellum), likely from a vascular rupture, and needed surgery. This was a very scary procedure because no one knew for certain what would be discovered and if she would survive. But she made it through well, and the hematoma was able to be evacuated.

They monitored her for seizure activity for 48 hours, and since surgery things have been going smoothly.  The blood that is still visible on her follow-up CT scans is an amount that the body will eventually absorb, and no new bleeds are evident at this time. 

Today, despite sedation, Johanna has been opening her eyes and showing responses to people touching her feet and holding her hands. Our little girl is truly amazing, and we are so thankful for all of the prayers and love we have already received.  Keep them coming; we will need them for days, months, and years to come over our sweet little miracle baby Jo!