"We Love Andrea" was created to update Andrea's friends as she went through a difficult journey. After her second heart transplant when her pulse began to speed up she was given a pacemaker, then a Heart Mate II or LVAD. She was in the Stollery Children's Hospital, then the Mazankowski heart unit in Edmonton, Alberta for 7 months. However, she peacefully died on May 11, 2011 when the rest of her heart and other organs could handle the strain no longer. If you come to this blog, pray for her family and friends, remember to tell your friends you love them, then sign your organ donor card.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Lots of Little Problems

Well I am not sure what to report tonight.  Andrea went down to have an ultrasound on her right arm this morning, she had some swelling in her arm and hand, so they wanted to make sure she did not have a clot.  Her arm was warm and ultrasound did not find any clot there.  That excursion took over 2 hours and by the time she was back in her room she was very tired, so after some bedside checks, she went to sleep.  After lunch  she woke up another test was done to determine if she was actually getting enough nutrition, a very simple test where a clear space like helmet was put over her head while she was lying down, and a hose led from there to a computerized machine.  this machine measures the amount of carbon dioxide she was breathing out and how much air she was breathing in, and from that they could tell how much energy she is burning.  Results showed that she needed a little more nutrition, so her tube feeds were increased a bit.  After that she was lifted into her wheelchair where she stayed for an hour or so.  She was awake for awhile after that, but soon fell asleep which is likely for the night.  Tomorrow at 7 bells they will come in and start her on hemodialysis for 4 hours again.  It is tough to fit everything into the day with physio therapy, occupational therapy, nursing care, nap time, all needing a part of it.  Now it is time to sleep here too, Goodnight.
 
Regards, Maynard

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