Scans and PICU

Abby recently had her MRI to check on tumor progression and to see if her new chemo is working.  Thankfully they showed a small decrease in tumor size.  It is a very small decrease, but it is better than no change and definitely better than an increase in size.  That means she will continue on the same chemo regimen for now.

Unfortunately, Abby had complications from the anesthesia for those scans and ended up in PICU for the weekend.  This was her first sedation without her trach in a year and a half.  Since she no longer has her trach, that meant she had to be intubated.  When I got down to recovery, her 02 levels were in the 30s and her respiration rate was in the 70s.  Without an oxygen mask, her levels were consistently in the 40s-60s, never raising above the low 60s.  Even the nasal cannula would not raise her oxygen levels.  She also had blood coming from her trach stoma.  So she ended up in the PICU on 6L of oxygen.  The doctors don't really know what happened.  My theory is that the intubation pulled off the scab from where she had a granuloma removed a week or two before and that, combined with irritation from the intubation, almost closed down her airway.  After breathing treatments, steroids, and antibiotics (they also thought she aspirated based on chest xrays), she was finally able to leave the PICU a couple of days later.

Since she has been home, Abby has been doing great.  She has been full of energy and wanting to play.  She also started physical therapy this week, so hopefully that will help improve her strength even more and will help her learn to run again.