Help Grady Bug Overcome His Battle

Hello friends,

On behalf of John and Samantha Kuchac I am creating this page.

Their youngest son Grady has had a very unexpected stay in the PICU.

Big news for our little Grady Bug!

The ID team fought for answers and we finally have some - little man tested positive for mono EBV. This is a common virus for teen-aged kids, but GB had a rare, extreme reaction that caused the swelling in his airways.

He’s been sedated and intubated since Friday evening, diligently cared for by the wonderful PICU staff up here. All of the doctors and nurses and specialty staff have been absolutely amazing ❤️❤️

GB got his breathing tube out last night and started weaning off the sedation meds. We had high flow O2 overnight but were stable without it by noon today - so we’re officially off oxygen too!! ❤️

Withdrawals have hit this little guy pretty hard so we’re working through those symptoms and some delirium. He had his first session with PT that went okay - he’s definitely still too out of it to really test his motor function. But neuro doesn’t see any signs of deficits, and he’s starting to come around to his normal spicy self

With his stats more stable and all his progress over the last two days - we’re graduating out of the PICU today!! we’ll move to a regular peds room where he’ll finish off some antibiotics, get a few more treatments for his lungs, and do physical therapy over the next few days. hopefully we’re homeward bound by the end of the weekend!!

We are absolutely blown away by the love and support we’ve received so far. We can’t thank you all enough ❤️

Our little Grady Bug had a bit of a medical emergency Friday 6/21 and was airlifted to the PICU at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo. He’s sedated and stable, but unable to be taken off the vent at this time. His little body needs help and more time to fight, rest, and recover.

Update 6-25

Rough night last night. Grady was struggling to get comfy, he was all gunky in his chest from whatever viral infection he’s fighting. He developed a mucous plug and his left lung collapsed. Took about an hour but they were able to stabilize him and more heavily sedate him again so he wasn’t so agitated. They increased all sorts of meds and his oxygen and vent settings to help him. He does still have a significant leak around his tube which is a good sign. But the increased cloudiness in his lungs means extubation is pushed back - dr carver is hoping tomorrow, but could be Thursday or Friday.

Please help this loving family during this extremely rough time, while they are in Fargo with Grady .

We love you all and thank you so much for all prayers, love and support

Update 6/26

Grady has been diagnosed with Mono. Some kids can react really severely to this and GB was the lucky one.

They have been able to take him off the vent YAY!!!

GB and parents will still be in the PICU as they monitor him to make sure he stays stable off the vent. Most likely will be in the PICU over the weekend.