Support Katie Grace Brown

Katherine Grace Brown—Katie Grace, KB, KK, Katie—was admitted to Atrium Main (CMC Main) on May 15th, 2019. Hospital stays are nothing new for Katie, however this stay has been significantly different. Katie was admitted regarding issues for her gallbladder, and surgery was performed. Her gallbladder was so diseased and inflamed, that it was the worst the surgeons, and specialty surgeons, had ever seen. The bile duct was damaged in the process of surgery, due to a golf ball sized stone. After surgery, Katie was taken to ICU, to begin the long road to recovery with the bile ducts, new tubing, and a sizeable incision. Katie came off the ventilator after surgery on May 24th, and while showing some expected signs of pain and overall recovery, she progressed out of the ICU to the Progressive floor briefly May 28th.
 
While recovering on the Progressive floor, Katie’s stats became unstable, and issues began to arise with her liver and the bile duct tubes not working properly. Prior to gallbladder surgery, the infected gallbladder had lodged itself adjacent to the liver. Part of Katie’s liver was damaged, and had begun to die. With her body attempting to resolve the issues with her liver, she was moved back to the ICU on June 1st. The doctors attempted multiple tests and procedures to fix the issues with the bile duct tubing, and monitor her liver, however, they were unsuccessful. During this time sepsis (infection in the blood) was diagnosed, and additional related complications developed. In order to regulate Katie’s stats, Katie has required large amounts of fluid. The fluid has become very dangerous for Katie, having a direct effect on her healing. June 5th, Katie became very unstable, and was placed back on a regular ventilator at 100%. Later that evening, she was able to have a CT done to confirm the fluid was not in her abdomen as suspected, but was in her lungs. She was diagnosed with pneumonia, but was able to have the ventilator reduced partially. While things would improve, Katie was unable to become consistently stable.
 
June 7th-Katie entered respiratory distress, and her stats suffered for several hours.  The sepsis and fluid has led to a diagnosis of ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). While the doctors diligently attempted multiple options to help her lungs absorb the oxygen being given to her, Katie was placed on an oscillating ventilator with a chemical paralytic to allow her body a chance to rest and recover. Within moments of being placed on the new ventilator, Katie began showing signs of acceptance and progress.
 
Since the weekend, Katie has had moments of progress, weening the oscillating ventilator down to about 80% function, however, she has not been able to sustain the decrease over significant periods of time. She is very critical, and progress is imperative at this point.
 
Katie is the strongest person I know, second only maybe to her mother Tammy. Every time she’s been given odds, she’s proven she is not one to ever be counted out. Though her body is tired, Katie is a fighter. She needs our prayers, and positive thoughts. Specifically—she is able to stabilize long term, be weaned from the oscillating ventilator effectively, and her lungs are able to function on their own. Katie has been through so much, and you all have been so diligent with prayers and support. Our family, and her parents, are forever grateful. We’re humbled by the love each of you continue to show us, and Katie.
 
During the course of this hospital visit, since May 15th, Tammy has only been able to briefly leave the hospital property twice. She has supported Katie without ceasing. The reality outside of the hospital room, is Tammy has been unable to go to work. Her daily expenses have not decreased. The cost of long term medical care exceeds doctors or a hospital bill.
 
Thanks so much again, and please share if you’re able. Let’s take the financial burden off of Katie’s family so they can concentrate on loving and supporting her during this battle. Any donation is deeply appreciated.