Please pray for Tristen.
Tristen is 13 years old. On Monday April 17th he was intubated (A machine is breathing for him). And placed on EcMo (A form of life support that keeps blood moving through the body and keeps blood gasses (oxygen and carbon dioxide) in balance.)
Background Tristen was diagnosed with Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) cardiomyopathy as a baby at St. Louis Childrens Hospital. After years of being on meds at the age of 7 he had his first major cardiac event. Tristen went into cardiac arrest at his home and had to receive CPR and be intubated. He again was sent to Childrens Hospital where they did a brain MRI as part of their post code protocol. Tristen was diagnosed at this time with a non-related brain disorder. Moyamoya disease is a rare, progressive cerebrovascular disorder caused by blocked arteries at the base of the brain. He had a cardiac pacemaker placed at that time which has shocked him back into a normal cardiac rhythm a few times over the years followed by admissions to Childrens in which they change up and increase the amount of heart meds he is on. He has had brain surgery to try to improve blood flow previously and has had strokes from this disease. Tristen is from Southern Illinois and was in Florida for his Make A Wish Universal Studios trip. His team of doctors in St. Louis who have been treating him since he was a baby are really wanting to get him back to St. Louis where they are familiar with him. The events of today have proven to be heart breaking for his mom, Nana, and family. It looks like we have a long road ahead of us. Tristens mother is a strong single momma of 4 kiddos. This family could really use some extra love at this time. Wear your red power ranger gear for our power ranger to help show support.
Update: In the last few weeks. Tristen was picked up by medical plan from Florida Hospital and brought to St. Louis Childrens Hospital by his team of doctors from St. Louis. He was removed from EcMo to give his heart a chance on its own. A Impella heart pump was placed surgically when his heart proved to note be able to supply enough cardiac output to support his other organs. This was emergently removed the next day due to lose of blood supply to the right arm. A heart Transplant became necessary but insurance has yet to approve paying for it. So a LVAD was placed to support his heart and therefore his other organs while awaiting approval for a transplant and then an organ becoming available. Tristen has remained intubated through all of this with a machine breathing for him. This has been a long road and is long from over for our power ranger.