My 2yr old niece Ava has been in the hospital since 3/10/17. Her amazing parents knew something was wrong and kept taking her back to the doctor until someone listened, when the MD finally decided to take them seriously they discovered that Ava had pneumonia, flu, strep, and positive blood cultures (an infection in her blood). The hospital she was at knew she needed more acute specialized care so they sent her to Lurie Childrens hospital that same day.
Ava had a chest tube inserted on 3/11/17 to help remove some of the infected fluid from around her lungs and on 3/12/17 her care team called a rapid response due to dropping oxygen levels, difficulty breathing, and very high fevers. After the rapid response team evaluated her they transfered her to the Pediatric intensive care unit. Ava had to be iced down, given lots of IV fluids, medications, and constant monitoring. She was not allowed to eat for several days due to procedures and the risk of aspiration. She has been receiving multiple IV antibiotics and diuretics to remove all of the fluid from her body. Her whole body has been swollen, tight, and uncomfortable. On 3/15/17 she acknowledge her chest tube for the first time, lifting her gown and touching it saying, "ow ow". Ava is on isolation for her infection and is terrified and cries any time someone enters her room, expecting to be poked and prodded.
She has been on high flow oxygen and her oxygen levels still drop overnight without the oxygen for support.
On 3/19/17 Ava was transferred from the Pediatric ICU to an Acute Care floor where they are still watching her very closely as she has fluctuating high fevers and her chest tube is still in place.
Ava is starting to have more periods of time where she is awake and her appetite is improving, and hopefully this trend will continue. As a nurse I know that this hospital stay may be quite long, and at this point in time it is unknown how long she will have to stay.
It takes a lot for my brother to ask for help with anything, and even with everything that is going on, he still hasn't asked for help. Johnny has been out of work at Avas bedside, along with Ava's mother Heather, since she went to the ER on 3/10/17. For a single earner family, being out of work for a week+ (so far) can be extra hard on finances. My brother Johnny and his fiance Heather have been going through an emotional rollercoaster and I want to try to help them in any way I can.
Any donations made will be used to cover expenses incurred throughout the unknown duration of Ava's hospital stay. Prayers, good vibes, and lots of love are also appreciated.
At Swedish Covenant Hospital, before Lurie Childrens hospital
At Childrens
Super swollen baby hand
chest tube output... lots of infected fluid
Still very swollen but starting to feel better