Stephen Tyler Bork

On 11/30 Stephen had a dentist appointment for a tooth that had started bothering him 2 days prior. The dentist performed some X-rays and noticed stephen had an abscess on the left side of his face by his back molars, the dentist referred us to UPMC for ivermectin antibiotics for this abscess and possible tooth removal but wanted it to be in a hospital setting dt stephens underlying heart conditions.

11/30 around 6p we arrived to the emergency room and had the normal lab work and scans ordered. When Stephen’s lab work came back his liver enzymes were significantly elevated, his lactic acid was elevated and he had an elevated white blood cell count. Admitting ordered was put in and we waited for a bed.. after 8 hours of waiting for a bed Stephen finally was brought upstairs around 530a on 12/1.

More labs were performed and Stephen was becoming more lethargic in which this was completely ABNORMAL for him. After the additional lab work was resulted a “rapid response” was called for higher level of care as Med Surg just wasn’t enough for the condition Stephen was now in.

He arrived at the CTICU and was immediately intubated to protect his airway as his breathing was shallowed. His BP was starting to drop so an arterial line was placed as well as a SWAN to measure accurate cardiac function. As many that already know stephen he has had a weak heart since birth resulting from his congenital heart defects. At this time Stephen was placed on what they call “vasopressors” to maintain his blood pressure at an adequate perfusion level. His kidneys and liver were failing at this point and a temporary dialysis catheter was placed.

After being intubated for 5 days stephens lab work started to look up. His liver functions were going back to normal and kidney function was improving.. everything seemed to be going in the right direction. On 12/7 Stephen was extubated hoping he would start to wake up and the sedation that he was on as well as the ICU delirium would start to wear off. Extubation did not go well. He started to become even more agitated, seemed to be having “panic attacks” but his O2 sat stayed at 99%. At 615am on 12/8 Stephen PEA arrested and CPR was performed for 20 minutes. The trooper he is came back and was reintubated and placed back on pressors.

After numerous EEGs and CT scans everything was negative for any type of brain injury. As days went on and doctors tried weaning him off the blood pressure support once again his heart was just tired. At birth Stephen has had an enlarged heart with pulmonic valve stenosis and 2 aortic leaflets instead of 3 leading him to a very fragile weak heart to start. After all the stress on Stephens body and him now in cardiogenic shock his heart just can not become strong enough to be removed from these life supporting drugs. After 16 days in the hospital Stephen’s whole body has began to shut down and after a long extensive dreaded decision from MULTIPLE medical professionals and being informed that Stephen does not qualify for cardiac surgery, Stephen’s mother Dawn and his sister Kylee had decided to donate his organs that are able to be donated to help another person and allow Stephen to go peacefully and reunite with daddy up in heaven.

As staff of caring for Stephen for many years we would like to help relieve the family of any financial burden they may encounter during this difficult time. Anything will be appreciated. Stephen will be missed by the many people he affected in life with his bright personality.