Surgery update (major update)

It has been an emotional roller coaster today. 

I’m trying to retain as much medical info as I possibly can, but some of this info may be a little choppy. 

Katie was taken down for surgery at 6:30 am. Spirits were high, as this surgery would greatly impact her mobility and recovery. 

A couple hours later, I spoke with someone from the surgical team. They informed me she was under anesthesia, but that her blood pressure was too unstable to proceed with the surgery. However, they were  going to do an external procedure that would help alleviate some pain and stabilize the bone. This would be a temporary solution until she could have the surgery.

I was later informed that she would be transferred to the ICU, so that they could continue to monitor her blood pressure closely. If they could get that under control, they would tentatively plan for the actual surgery on Thursday. Everything at this point seemed alright. Sure, it was a setback, but it wasn’t the first and we have to take them in stride. 

We were in the ICU waiting room for a couple hours before an ICU doctor came and spoke with us. During those couple hours Katie’s status had dramatically changed. She was having respiratory issues and they had to intubate her, as well as continue sedation. A CT scan showed numerous blood clots in her lungs. They started her on a blood thinner angain and were going to do a procedure to basically try and suck out some of the blood clots. He then said Katie was on life support and in critical condition. And because the blood clots could put pressure on her heart, she was at risk for cardiac arrest. 

The feeling of heartbreak was all consuming. We made the decision that we needed to call the family to come now. 

The next two hours were… I have no words. 

Finally the same ICU doctor came back and said they were able to remove some of the clots. They had done an echo and her heart was not strained. It was very strong and her condition was significantly more stable. They have her on the lowest level of oxygen. And the plan is to take her off the ventilator tomorrow morning and allow her to come out of sedation. He told us, that several hours ago, he felt that it was dire. (And we felt that too.) We are not out of the woods yet, but she is doing much better and should be able to come off the ventilator. 

We were able to see her two at a time, talk to her and hold her hand. 

Katie is a fighter.  She is strong and she has the will to live. We just have to take it one thing at a time. 

Please continue to keep my sister in your thoughts and prayers, as well as my whole family, especially her daughters and granddaughter. 

We will keep you all updated.