Ally Heintz
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< > November 2007
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Wed, Nov 28, 2007 4:00 PM
Today is a day to celebrate!!! Ally came home to Pittsburgh! After 4 months to the day, Ally for the first time since the beach in July got to experience some fresh air and freedom!
For us, its like we just served yet another prison term, and are finally able to be released to the general population of normal families. Still alot of work ahead, and probably about 2 more months of living in Pittsburgh, but we are glad to just be out and together as a family. The best Christmas gift anyone could give us!!
Ashley stayed home from school today to help bring Ally home. However, as luck and past history go, Ashley got a bad ear infection and is not feeling well. I guess we didn't deserve a complete day of joy without some issue, that would of been to easy for our family.
So now we will try and settle in to home here in Pittsburgh. Our work is never done when it comes to Ally, we now have added to our day, equipment companies, suppliers, hospital appts., and nursing at home. As for Ally's work, she will continue to get stronger with PT, OT therapies, as well a scheduled appt on Dec. 12 for a scope of her airway to see if we could possibly remove her trache before year end! That would be great!!
Well, not much more to report, but to say thank you to everyone in Pittsburgh that has helped save Ally's life, and bring her back to health, as well as our new friends that have supported both Jill and Ashley while I have been back home working trying to make ends meet. Without everyone's prayers and help, we would of never made it this far. As you know our journey has been long, and this is a major accomplishment!
Continue to pray for our friends we left behind today in the hospital, Logan, Tamiya, and all the others recovering and waiting for transplant. Many of these kids need your help, please say a prayer for them tonight!!
ShaneAdd a comment:
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Mon, Nov 26, 2007 8:08 PM
We are definitely on the launching pad to have Ally discharged. I think Ashley is the most excited she had even asked me if I could send a note to school saying that Ally will be coming home soon. She and some of her classmates worked on a welcome home banner for Ally:) Ally is looking great and we just need to get a few more things taken care of and we should be good to go. You will have to keep checking in for the official word that we are home!
Take care,
JillComments:Steph: glad to hear you are going to be on your way out of there soon! must be so exciting after all she and you guys have been through! Take care, prayers are always with you!!
stephOscar S.: Thanks be to God for such wonderful news. May God continue blessing all!!!uni-brower: Wow What great news--this is truely the best holiday gift--Thank you-We all can't wait-love to allCarrie: wow! I am so happy. I am so inspired by Ally's strength and just know she is an answered prayer to so many. My continued prayers and well deserved blessings be with the Heintz family.D.Stinnard: Exciting news and a great present for Christmas and a good Thanksgiving. Go for it Ally.Carol Yeager: Amen and God bless you .I was so surprised when I read your message I dont know what to say other than goodluck and all our prayers will still be sent your way ,Please give Ally a great big hug for me and tell her I think she is one of the most strong willed little girls that I know. We are all so proud of the news and hope that she continues to go forward a little each day Have a safe trip home and take care. With all our thoughts and prayers and also lots of love THE YEAGER FAMILY.P.S.My sister lives in BOyertown also
Landis family: Wooohooo! Awesome news!Karen Lenker: Way to go Ally!!!!!Margaret Ann (duPont PICU): Great news. Very Exciting. I'll pass the news to everyone at AI. What a great Christmas present.Allie J.: Great News! We are so excited for you!Sheila Duffy: Yay! Keeping fingers crossed and lots of prayers for going home very very soon!!Noelle: Great News! Just in time to get ready for Santa!!!Jeanne: Yeah Ally! We're so glad to hear that the day is getting closer. This is the ultimate holiday gift!Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers!
Love, JeanneThe Bollingers: What great news. Keep up the hard work Ally! We are all proud of you. Our prayers continue.Becky Lee: Ally- I'm so glad you're doing so well and will be at home with your family real soon!!phil h: what great news to hear around Thanksgiving.Pastor & Kathy: We rejoice, O God, for the good news of Ally's healing. We give thanks for your renewing power. Watch over this family as they take the next step in Ally's recovery. Amen.Sandy Maicher: This is the best news. We are so happy for all of you. Prayers continue for complete healing.Tracy/Angel_Wings: Wonderful! What a wonderful Christmas present to you all. Praying for complete healing. God bless you precious one.MJ/Angel_Wings: Prasing the Lord for this wonderful news. Praying you will home soon sweet little girl. Hugs and Angel Kisses, as always you are in my thoughts and prayersSister Millicent: Thanks be to God! This is such wonderful news. We know Christ's healing presence will accompany her as she is discharged. May each day bring to all of you peace, joy, strength and continued healing.Add a comment:
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Wed, Nov 21, 2007 10:32 PM
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I hope everyone has a wondeful Thanksgiving holiday. Things will be quiet here in Pittsburgh because it is just Shane, Ally, and myself. Ashley has been home for the week since she was out of school. I think she has enjoyed her time visiting all of her cousins and being at our house with the kitties. To be honest I don't mind that things will be quiet, we don't get much down time so this week has been a nice break. I also don't need to do anything special for Thanksgiving because I am thankful for everyday. The good days, the bad days, and all the days in between.
JillComments:Gladieux Family: We are thankful that you have so much good news to report! And, Jill, your comment about being thankful for EVERY day should make us all stop and think...if you can be thankful, we should ALL be humbled about how abundantly blessed each of us is. Enjoy a continued quiet time in your lives. Love to all! Lynn, Bunky, Scott, Sarah & SophiaMichele & Bill Trievel: HAPPY THNAKSGIVING------
gLAD YOU HAD A GREAT DAY TOGETHER WITH SHANE & ALLY---TAKE CARE Jill HANG IN THERE YOUR VERY STRONG PERSON.....uni-brower: Happy Belated Thanksgiving Day--we are all so thankful to hear that things are getting closer to D/C Day--extra prayers to all--Love YaCarol Yeager: Happy belated Thanksgiving to you all ,I hope that all goes well from here on in for you and your family.God Bless
Nurse Karen: Happy Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for meeting a great family like yours. Have a peaceful weekend.The Stinnards: Happy Thanksgiving to you.The news is wonderful to hear that Ally is out of ICU. the sound of peace and quiet sounds wonderful enjoy. God bless and know we are thinking and praying for the family.
Christina Hopkins: Have a Blessed Thanksgiving and may God continue to Bless you each and every day!! Please give Ally kisses from us!!! We love you all!!!
The Hopkins FamilyThe Davidheiser's: Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Enjoy your time together. We will give thanks for your family today when we say grace! Bless Ally and all of you.The Bollingers: Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time together...You're in our thoughts and prayers.Robin - Angel_Wings: Happy Thanksgiving! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and sending GREAT BIG Angel hugs, smiles and rainbows! Keep up the GREAT work Ally! You are AWESOME!!!Eileen: Happy Thanksgiving!Pastor & Kathy: We give thanks for Ally's continuing recovery, the blessing of down time together, the gift of a loving and caring family and God's healing presence. Amen.Jeanne: Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families. I am so happy to hear things are a little better in Pittsburgh. It's good that you can sit back for a moment and catch your breath! You all need. it. Have a great day. You are all in my thoughts and prayers...
Love, Jeanne
PS: Everyone here at BMH saysDeena: Have a GREAT day!
You are always in my thoughts and prayers!!ANDREA MOYER: Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time together!Sheila: Happy Thanksgiving Heintz Family! Please give those beautiful girls a hug from me - and one for yourselves, too!Donna: God Bless your wonderful family and may all of you have a peaceful and Happy Thanksgiving.Sandra DiCesare: Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! We miss you all so much!!! Enjoy the peace and quiet, you so deserve it!!!!! Love, Sandra, Tony & AnthonyAdd a comment:
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Tue, Nov 20, 2007 11:11 PM
There seems to be so much stuff to report since last week that I don't even know where to begin. Oh yeah! It is pretty much all good stuff too:)
First off Ally has finally been moved to the transplant floor, which means she is officially no longer under the ICU's care. We loved the entire ICU team but since they typically don't discharge to home it seemed to be hard to get all the little stuff coordinated. The transplant team is of course used to sending transplant kids home so we have gotten a lot accomplished in the past two days. All of her meds have been switched to PO as opposed to IV (except for the IV antibiotics). The docs have also switched her meds a little so that things are spaced out better. Last week Ally was getting a med almost every hour between 6am and 2am (with up to eight meds give at one time). Yikes!! needless to say that would be a little difficult to manage at home. Now she will only need to be getting meds about every four hours with a six hour break during the night.
Second, I think we finally have Ally's trach issues resolved. Originally ENT said they would do the first trach change last Friday but then Friday rolled around and they decided they would like a smaller trach for Ally, which would have to be custom ordered. Today they decided that we could put in a smaller trach with a different length (something they had available here at the hospital). Plus they were fine with me changing the trach. Most importantly the trach change went well and Ally's trach site looks great compared to how it looked before it was revised last week. She has also been spending the day with nothing more than a humidification adapter on her trach with No Oxygen!!! This would make one less thing for me to have to drag around when Ally comes home
Third Ally's stoma output has finally slowed to a normal output and the plan is to get her back up to 45cc/hour by Thursday. Since the stoma output has slowed they have changed Ally's replacement fluid so that it only runs at night. This means for the first time in almost four months Ally was disconnected from an IV for at least part of her day. She definitely took full advantage of her time Tube-free and she took a couple of spins in a little car that she was driving around the unit in.
Finally, today we were given an official target discharge date for Ally. I am not sharing the date with you because then it will be a jinx! I am still torn on the idea of nursing so that is one thing that needs to be resolved. At this point I think I could get by without it during the month of December and I would really just like sometime for us to be a family without someone extra around. However I also know it could be a little too much work (yes even for SuperMom!) and my New Years resolution will probably have to be working on staying sane. Of course I have been trying to keep myself from going insane the past four years so why change anything now:)
I have some free time this week so I will try to update before Thanksgiving. Take care.
Jill
Comments:Carol Yeager: HURRAY HURRAY I am so happy for the both of you and hope that it continues to stay this way and only moves ahead in the right direction. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and we here at Douglassville,Pa. will keep on praying that it does.Teri Hinckley: Praise God for His awesome blessings! The process is long, but His purpose is perfect!MJ/Angel_Wings: Morning Ally and family am just popping by to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. As Always keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. MJ/Angel_WingsThe Diachynsky's: Hi Shane, Jill, Ashley & Ally,
We have all been thinking of your family and keeping up to date from the website & from Kevin & Heather. Glad to hear such great progress and hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!! We will keep you in our prayers!
Steve, Tracy, Tiffany & Amandaphil h: Hi Heintz family,
Glad to hear the good news, I hope your family has a GREAT THANKSGIVINGHPHC: Dear Shane, Jill, Ashley and ALLY, Wishing each and everyone a blessed Thanksgiving. We are so thankfull for having meet ALLY and her wonderful family! We thank GOD for watching over all of you everyday. Love HPHCJodee Reid: HI Jill
Great to hear all your good news. I can't believe that this part of your journey may finally be over. I really hope and pray Ally continues to do well and we can catch up away from the hospital. Happy thanksgiving to you all.Katie: I can just see her driving around in that car with a big Ally smile on her face. What a wonderful blessing at Thanksgiving. Keep up the great work Ally!Laura Szymanski: What fantastic news! You've put a big smile on my face for the Heintz family today! Stay strong and always remember that you're in our prayers.Rachel Frey: That is awesome news! Keep up the good work, you are in our thoughts!Pastor & Kathy Pearson: We give thanks O God, for the good progress that Ally makes each day. We pray that the day of her discharge would come soon. We thank you for all those normal things that Ally can do. Watch over Ally and Ashley, Jill and Shane and all their family. Amen.The Bollingers: Great news! Keep up the hard work Ally, we are all praying for you. So glad to hear that theSandy Maicher: Jill, once again I have to tell you how amazed I am at how you keep it together. You may think that you are going insane, but you are one of the most together people I have ever met. I'm glad Ally is doing better and the talk of sending her home is getting closer. We send our love and prayers to all of you and hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.June: What good news you had to share this morning! We'll keep watching for the discharge news and for the time to be together as a family in your home away from home. Happy Thanksgiving and you're always in our prayers.Sister Millicent: How wonderful to begin this day hearing all the good news! The celebration of Thanksgiving this week will bring many expressions of praise and thanks to God for all that He has been doing for Ally and all of you. Know that our prayers continue.Add a comment:
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Wed, Nov 14, 2007 11:56 AM
Just a real quick update to say that Ally is doing really well. Yesterday she even went for a little walk and today she is anxiously awaiting PT (yes I did say she is excited about PT) because she knows then she will be able to go on another walk. She also got moved to a private room which means I don't have to worry about what kind of roommate we end up with. Her output has slowed down considerably so I am hoping they will increase her feeds today. She also will be tried off of CPAP tonight when she is sleeping!
Now more importantly I really need everyone's help in praying for Ally's buddy Logan. I also am really worried about Logan's mom. She is a single parent and is dealing with a TON!!! of stuff right now and all on her own. Please pray for Logan's and Melissa's strength so that they can both overcome their latest struggles.
JillComments:Audrey Eddinger: That is such great news about Ally coming home. I know you are excited the time has really come.I hope your family has a great Thanksgiving. Our prayers and good thoughts are still with you all.Andy Rumford: Your daughter is on my mind so very often and in my prayers.....uni-brower: Ally you go Girl-Jill tell Melissa that she's on our list-hope this will help her & Logan-have a great Holiday-We are all thankful to celebrate another one together.Carol Yeager: I am so very happy and glad to hear the great report of Ally and also O am sending all my prayers and good thoughts to aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamelissa and Logan and hope that all will work out for them also as it has for Ally and you.May the Good Lord bless and keep you and Kogan under his wings and give you the strength that you all need to get through this.May GOd bless you all and keep you all safe and forever in his prayers as you all are in our prayersNoelle: Great news! Ally has come a long way, its nice to see she is gaining her strength.Dawn Stinnard: Great news about her taking a walk just wait you won't be able to catch her soon, she won't want to sit still soon. How soon will that room be personalized for her? Good luck and God Bless. Let Melissa and Jordon know their in all our prayers.phil h: Glad to hear the good news with Alley. Let's hope it continues.
O Lord be with Logan and let him know your healing touch. Be with his Melissa strengthen her in her baptism that she may continue to know you, and know that you are always with them. Be with Logan's Doctors and Nurses as they help him, and help do what's best for him according to your will
In Jesus' name I pray AMENThe Davidheiser's: Hooray for Ally!! It's wonderful to hear that she got to go for a walk! We pray for her daily, and will add Logan and his Mother to our prayers. Bless you and your family.The Bollingers: Please give Melissa the strength she needs to overcome the struggles she has been dealing with. Let her know that she is not alone. We also pray you continue to keep Logan close to you, he needs you to guide and heal him. In Jesus name...Amen Great news about Ally, it is wonderful to hear she is in her own room. Keep up the great work. God Bless.Pastor & Kathy Pearson: O Lord, watch over Logan and Melissa and grant healing and strength. We give thanks for Ally's improvement and for Jill's caring concern. Amen.MJ/Angel_Wings: Sweet little Ally I pray you had a restful, healing night. I am so happy you have been walking that is so wonderful. As always precious one you are in my heart and prayers.Add a comment:
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Mon, Nov 12, 2007 8:57 PM
I knew I was right when I insisted that there was a problem with Ally's trach, even though ENT really did not want to give us the time of day. For the last two weeks I was really beginning to think that I was incompetent at changing a trach especially when ENT kept making it seem like we were making a big deal out of nothing. As if I was making up the fact that I couldn't get the trach in so that I could have her go to the OR for no reason! Well needless to say they did take Ally to the OR and much to their surprise they found a huge granuloma (granulation tissue) in Ally's airway. Plus the ENT doc said that even with removing the granulation tissue her trach is a very tight fit and that we may need to go down to a smaller size. Sometimes I just hate being right!
Ally's feeds have not been advanced at all but her stoma output has decreased quite a bit. I still think that she would be doing better if we fed her into her stomach and I just don't understand why they don't try an NG. She was NPO for the day since she went to the OR so hopefully tomorrow they will get a chance to advance feeds a little.
As for respiratory, Ally has been spending most of her day on a trache mask and then goes back on CPAP at night to sleep. Yesterday she had a little problem with her blood pressure (of course we don't know why) and needed quite a few boluses to get it back up so the docs kept her on CPAP in case her lungs got wet from the extra fluid. She seemed to do fine and today went back on the trach mask. She also got blood last night so she was literally bouncing off the walls this morning. She is really getting a lot stronger but still tires out quickly. I am hoping that tomorrow she will be able to go on a little walk when PT comes to work with her.
Ashley had a great weekend. She got to catch up with her Gram on Friday morning by just hanging out and playing. Then in the afternoon Shane and I took her to Toys R" Us so that she could get some ideas for Christmas. Saturday she and I got up bright and early to head to Hershey for High School Muscial. Ashley sang and smiled through the whole show. Plus she got to see her Grandmom, Aunt Heather, Aunt Kelly, and most of her cousins. It was a long day of driving but it was worth it to see her so happy. Then yesterday I took her to this little childrens theater that does interactive childrens plays to see Pocohantas. She is learning about Native Americans in school so it tied in perfectly with that.
Speaking of Ashley's school they have just been wondeful to Ashley and our family. Today I had to have a little meeting about discharge for Ally (1:30 to 3:00) plus Ally was on the OR schedule (3:00 which really means whenever) plus Ashley is done school at 2:30. Needless to say supermom I am not and there was just no way to be in three places at one time (two I can do but three is really pushing it)! Ashley's teachers were nice enough to offer to keep her after school until I could get back to get her and thankfully I am getting smarter and accepting help when people offer it. I really feel we have been so blessed with the wondeful people we have met here in Pittsburgh.
Anyhow, I don't think ther is too much else planned for this week. The ENT docs will do Ally's first trach change again and are planning on doing that on Friday. She was scoped today while in the OR so we should have her biopsy results on Wednesday.
Please say some extra prayers for Ally's buddy Logan. Logan was transplanted a week after Ally and has just had problem after problem. They got some even more difficult news tonight so he really needs some extra prayers. Also Ally's wonderful, wonderful, roommate Ruth went home today. We hated to see her go but we are so happy that she is finally making it home. Ruth's mom and I became pretty good friends over the last five weeks that we have shared a room, so I am definitley going to miss her friendship. Please keep Ruth and her family in your prayers while they adjust to life back at home. Despite what you may think it is not always easier to be at home even though that is were we all would rather be.
Take care,
JillComments:Carol Yeager: I was glad to hear from you and I am so interested in how things are coming along for Ally and our prayers are allways with you as well as for all who need them. I hope that things start going better and better everyday and that soon you will be taking Ally home too.God Bless and all our prayers are allways with you,Keep the Faith
Sheila Duffy: Sounds like your mom instincts were right on! Lots of prayers for Ruth and Logan and always Ally too!
My nieces and nephews will be jealous that Ashley saw HSM on Ice!!Jen Herb: Jill , I am amazed at your strength. I dont know if I could handle all that you, Shane and the girls have to. I keep you guys in my thoughts and prayers . Hope Ally gets strong enough to go home soon. God Bless Jen HerbRachel Frey: Keep up the good work, Jill; mothers always know their children! And good job excepting help, mothers dont always know how to do that!phil h: glad to hear that you were persistant and letting the docs know that there was something wrong with her trac. I am slso glad that that they finally listened. We (2nd gr Sunday School) and myself will continue to pray for Ally and your family along with Ruth and Logan
Glad to hear that Ashley had a great time in Hershey seeing High School musical.Pastor & Kathy Pearson: I think we should be calling youThe Bollingers: Our thoughts and prayers continue and we will defintely include Logan and Ruth's family. Mother's intuition, never doubt yourself, doctors aren't always right, we know our children. What a fun filled packed weekend Ashley had, she is so lucky! God Bless.Add a comment:
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Fri, Nov 9, 2007 9:57 AM
Slowly we are getting a couple of problems resolved this week and I am stressing the slow part!
Ally had yet another nightmare torture trach change on Tuesday leaving us all feeling drained especially poor Ally. Unfortunately ENT did not feel it was such a big deal so it took them until 9 o'clock last night to come by and see her (not to mention 4 phone calls from the ICU and transplant docs). Well surprise, surprise, they did see a problem. Ally's trach site has a significant amount of granulation tissue and unless I pull that apart while holding her chin up and pushing the trach in (virtually impossible unless I have four hands)I will not be able to get her trach in. ENT will have to take Ally back to the OR to remove the granulation tissue but it is a quick procedure and they will probably do it at the beginning of next week.
Our other big challenge this week has been feeds. Ally's feeds had been off Tuesday and Wednesday because she started to put what looked like formula out into her stoma bag. This would mean that she is not absorbing any of her feeds more than likely because her bowel moves too rapidly. She is on an excess of amount of meds to help slow down her gut but so far nothing seems to be helping much. She also had an upper GI done to see if she had a fistula which is a word I had hoped never to hear again. Thankfully everything looked good we just need to slow down her motility. I had asked about putting in an NG and feeding her into her stomach instead of through the J tube. The other option would be to switch her formula again.
The good news of the week is that Ally has been very happy and playful. She has been working very hard for both PT and OT. On Wednesday she even stood for a little while without having to hold on to anything. She has also been doing some trial off of the CPAP and has done great with that (not to mention she has done great both times her trache was out for a few minutes). Right now she is catching up on some playtime with her Daddy.
Hope everyone has a nice weekend. I know Ashley will I am taking her to see High School Musical on Ice tomorrow. I think she will have a blast!
JillComments:uni-brower: We will continue to say xtra prayers--keep up your strength and spirit. Take care love to allCarol Yeager: I was glad to receive your message and I hope that everything keeps going in the right direction for you and your family .Our prayers are allways with you and will allways be . God Bless and hope you have a great day with your family.
Keep the Faith
Polly/Angel_Wings: Storming heaven's gates with special prayers for Ally tonight. May the Lord send down exactly what He sees Ally stands in need of at this time.
Judi Flickinger: I don't know you except through our prayer list and Ginny Stoudt, but I am amazed at your strength and ability to be a mom,wife,and advocate for Ally! I pray for your entire family that God continue to bless you.Pastor & Kathy Pearson: Almighty Father, we thank you for sending your spirit to strengthen Jill, Shane, Ally and Ashley. Be with them in the difficult ups and downs of recovery. We pray that the trach may work well, the feeds might absorbed better and that Ally would grow stronger each day. Give patience to Jill and Shane and let Ashley delight in being a 5 year old. In Jesus' name. Amen.phil h: We will continue to pray for Ally in 2nd grade Sunday School at St. John's
Sandy Maicher: I hope that they can get Ally's trach site fixed so that it will be easier to change her trach. I'm glad to hear that she is so happy and is doing good with PT and OT. I agree that a fistula is not what you want to hear. Jill, it was really nice being able to talk to you. OUr prayers continue to be with all of you.Add a comment:
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Sat, Nov 3, 2007 8:12 PM
Let's start with the good news! Despite Ally's big increase in output her biopsies look great. The bad news is we have no ideas why her stoma output has increased so much and why all of the sudden it is so watery. Today her doc switched around her IV fluids but if her output does not decrease in the next couple of days they will probably have to start her back on some TPN and stop the feeds to give her bowel some rest.
Otherwise Ally seems to be doing well. We are assuming the infection is under control becaus she has had no more fevers and generally seems to be acting well. The docs have weaned her vent to just CPAP and I am hoping that sometime this week the will give her some breaks from the ventilator.
The only other thing to report is that we had a little trache scare on Thursday. Last week when I changed Ally's trache I had some difficulty getting her trache in but eventually got it in and she seemed to be fine. However this week when I changed it I could not get the trache in no matter how many times I tried and neither could the respiratory therapist (he does all the teaching and probably changes at least five traches everyday). Thankfully Ally maintained her oxygen level on her own and it did not become an emergency situation. We were eventually able to get a smaller trache in but still with a bit of difficulty. ENT was consulted and at this point we are not sure what will be done but we do know that she cannot come home until this is resolved because it would just not be safe. So we will see what the plan is this week.
Oh well, never a dull moment. If I was feeling overwhelmed before, now I am feeling overwhelmed and incompetent:( Ally's previous trache I could have changed with my eyes closed so this has definitely made me a little nervous.
Hope everyone enjoys the new pictures.
JillComments:Johanna: I love the pictures! Jill and Shane, you are two of the most amazing, loving and competent parents I have had the privilege to work with! Please remember how far you have come and all the wonderful things you have already done for your girls! I'm sure the ENT folks will figure out what is going on with Ally's airway and come up with a plan. You all continue to remain in my prayers.uni-brower: You are far from incompetent-but I know how scared you were. Xtra prayers are with you all. The pictures were great. Remember one day at a time. Love to AllJeanne: Incompetent is never a word I would use to describe you, Jill! You have continually amazed me beyond belief over the past three and a half years with your incredible strength. I understand and wish so very hard that I could alleviate some of your frustration and burdens. Your inner strength is also something that you are teaching your girls which is one of the best gifts you could ever give them!(even though that October girl is driving you nuts beyond belief ;})We will continue to pray that this is just another little bump and that God will smooth the road a little. I loved those Halloween pictures! Ashley sure can vamp! (thinking of another October girl...) I'm glad Ally was able to enjoy herself a little bit and laugh and smile, too. I miss you all so very, very much. Hugs and kisses to everyone...JeanneD.Stinnard: Halloween pics are cute. I like the boas. See Ally as the ghost under the blanket ohh. See even in costume she can smile. Good to see her able to sit on the floor. your in our prayes.D.Stinnard: God's watching over you believe in him and you'll make it. It might be scar tissue or someting minor. We'll continue to pray for the family and all the families there who need us.The Bollingers: I'm sure you were scared with the trach...I'm sure you stayed calmed though...Praying that they will resolve the problem so the talk of Ally being able to come home will resume. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.Pastor & Kathy: We give you thanks, O God, for the good progress that Ally is making. We pray your presence with her that each difficulty may be overcome. Give Jill and Shane confidence and strength and be with big sister, Ashley. We pray it all in the healing name of Jesus. Amen.Lynne: Jill, you are as far from incompetent as it gets! But I can't begin to imagine how scary that was. I pray they figure out what the problem was and remedy it soon, so you can rest a little more easily. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Love the photos! LynneAdd a comment:
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Thu, Nov 1, 2007 11:07 AM
Hope everyone had a wondeful Halloween. Ally was rather crabby yesterday I think mostly becasue she was up most of Tuesday night. So needless to say she only had her costume (Alice in Wonderland) on twice for about 10 minutes. I did manage to snap a few good pictures and by looking at them you would never guess that she was crabby she was all smiles. Ashley had a very nice Halloween. She was dressed as Sharpay from High School Musical. We went trick or treating for about two hours and she also got some goodies at the hospital from a few of the nurses.
On top of the Halloween festivites our day was very busy. Ally had an echocardiogram done in the morning and then her stoma and belly dressing changed. After that she had physical therapy. Then I left for the airport to pick up Grandmom and Ally was supposed to be napping. Of course as soon as she laid down to take a nap ultrasound came in and woke her up. Next occupational therapy came by. Then Ashley came from school and got dressed in her costume for Ally. Needless to say Ally was awake until about 8pm without a nap all day. Besides she then got woken up again at 8 so that she could take her rejection meds. It was a very long day.
Unfortunately we also got a little bit of bad news. Ally's echo showed that she has an area of infection around her heart (endocarditis). She will need to remain on a strong dose of IV antibiotics for the next 6 weeks. I don't know what this means as far as us going home. At least now we know why she keeps ending up with infections. If during the next few weeks she starts to act sick again then another echo will be done to see if the area of infection is getting larger. If all stays good then she will have an echo done when she has completed the six weeks of antibiotics.
Otherwise she was scoped again this morning just because of the excessive amount of output from her stoma. The docs did switch her formula on Tuesday but so far we are not seeing to much of a change in output. Her doc really does not expect to see rejection on todays biopsies but he felt it is always best to air on the side of caution so that is why he ordered yet another scope.
I will try to update again tomorrow night with Ally's biopsy results.
Jill
Please keep our friends the Maichers in your prayers. The are facing some difficult decisions right now and they could use some extra prayers.Comments:uni-brower: Prayers are still coming--so glad Halloween was fun. Stay strong allD.Stinnard: Glad to hear Halloween went well for Ashley. Sorry to hear about Ally, hope she feels better soon. Everyone out there is in our prayers. God bless.Susan/Angel_Wings: Praying for you, Ally!Pastor & Kathy: Heavenly Father, watch over Ally and protect her from danger and infection. Helkp those new organs to function just as they are supposed to do. Let your blessing fall upon Ashley, Jill and Shane. Watch over them all. We pray in the name of Christ, our great healer. Amen.Aunt Sherry & Uncle Wally: Hi Heintz family. Glad you had a nice Halloween. Can't wait to see the photos. We will keep Ally, Ashley, Shane and yourself in our prayers during this yet another hurdle for all of you to go through. Hope things do improve so you can bring Ally home. God Bless and Take Care.
Love youphil h: Glad to hear that Ashley had a great Halloween, and hopefully Ally will continue to get better and you'll be able to return to Boyertown soon
The Bollingers: Sounds like Ashley enjoyed herself for Halloween. Sorry to hear that Ally wasn't up to. Our prayers will continue for you and for your friends the Maichers. God Bless all of you.Add a comment:
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I thank the Lord for answered prayer and for your kindness in keeping us up to date.
God is with you!
May GOD allways be by your side to guide you and keep giving you the strength that you have had all through this hard time.We here in Pa will never forget you and hope that you will keep all of us informed on the progress that Ally is making,once again we all thank you.
You four are so amazing and strong! Thanks for sharing your story with us. Everytime I read how well Ally is doing, it puts a smile on my face.
I am so happy to hear that she is out of the hospital!! I will keep praying that she gets stronger everyday. It would be great to lose that trach again. I hope you all have the most joyous holiday season together. No need to decorate with lights on hospital cribs this year, just your house!
Such great news I know good things will now happen for your family. You are blessed and loved by many. I'm very happy for you all. Take care.