Hi, I'm Aunt Sarah and my baby niece just went through a procedure when something happened that has us all in a complete state of disbelief, fear and disarray.

Ellie went in for surgery around 10:30, and at 11 a Dr was coming to chat with mom and dad in a private setting. At that point Ellie was in trouble, her words exactly, during the dilation her esophagus perforated allowing air into the chest cavity and sending her into cardiac arrest, coding on the table. She was down for 15 minutes but thanks to the quick intervention by her team (plus a ton of others) they started CPR within 4 seconds and continued until her heart restarted.

They placed two tubes into either side of her lungs to allow the air out as well as opening up her belly to get the remaining air out.

Since coming out of the OR she has continued to stay stable, but they have her heavily sedated and on a paralytic to keep her absolutely still so her esophagus can heal.. she is in critical condition in the PICU in Iowa City and has a very long road ahead.

It’s unreal, it’s terrifying, & it’s rare… something that most doctors see once or twice in their career. Taking things very slow to get her back to her smiley self.

Thanks to all that have prayed for her and reached out, please keep those prayers coming because we need them more than ever.