October 21, 2016

It's been 16 hours since Ashtyn's breathing tube has been taken out. She has been very sleepy and seems delirious. Throughout the night her eyes rarely opened and she frequently babbles with incoherent speech. The doctors believe she is still improving though it may not seem as noticeable. Her morning labs showed that her liver is doing good but her kidneys are struggling from not getting enough oxygen during her shock period. When her kidney's don't function properly, her body is unable to get rid of fluid which is effecting her lungs. Also her body isn't able to get rid of the sedation she got in the past which makes it more difficult to wake up. Ashtyn would benefit a great deal if her kidneys would start recovering. Prayers for the day: 1. that her kidneys will start to recover allowing her body to get rid of fluid that is effecting the lungs, and decrease wastes that are building up, preventing the need for dialysis. 2. that she will become more awake and alert. 3. that she will stay free of complications so the healing process will continue. The healthcare team are all still very pleased with how well she's doing 😊 Thank you!

October 20, 2016

On Monday October 17th, because of a bacteria in her bloodstream, Ashtyn went into decompensated septic shock: which is the late phase of shock when the body's compensatory mechanisms (such as increased heart rate, vasoconstriction, increased respiratory rate) are unable to maintain adequate perfusion to the brain and vital organs. The doctors did not expect she would make it through the night. Not only is shock a medical emergency, she also was compromised from cancer and is neutropenic (absence of infection fighting cells). Ashtyn had nothing going in her favor and wasn't expected to live. Once the healthcare team got her stable in her instability, it was just a matter of waiting to see if she could pull out of it. I sat next to Ashtyn in quiet contemplation. My thoughts and feelings went to things I already knew. I knew that God lives. I knew that we come to this earth with a unique purpose. I knew Ashtyn would stay on earth until her purpose was over. I also felt her purpose wasn't over yet and if enough people prayed and showed God how much we wanted her here, she would heal and overcome. That night I slept fine and have been sure ever since. Miracle of the day: Ashtyn no longer needs her breathing tube. This girl's got things here worth living for.

October 19, 2016

You might wonder what it's like for me to watch my daughter go through this. Having the privilege to be by her side day and night, I actually might have more peace than others. I'm able to feel her calmness, watch her progression, and observe the miracles. So how's the family doing? We are happy, hopeful, and at peace. If you were to walk into Ashtyn's PICU room, you would feel a very calm, social vibe of optimism. It is not dark and dreary but rather peaceful and light. I feel joy. How can I not? The hundreds of prayers on her behalf are felt here. Her progression is miraculous. She is doing so remarkably well. Ashtyn's on the ventilator and is needing less and less support. Her life sustaining drug norepinephrine is no longer needed and the epinephrine she needs is getting less and less. She is becoming more and more awake. From time to time she'll open her eyes and look around for a brief moment. Today she tried talking. With a tube down her throat it's impossible to talk so I couldn't interpret what she was trying to say other then the word "mom." I asked her if she was in pain or scared. She shook her head "no". It was cool to see her try to communicate. The rest of the day she slept. Another remarkable thing is that her blood cultures from Tuesday came back negative. Another blood culture was drawn just to be sure but a negative blood culture shows the antibiotics worked at sterilizing her blood and getting rid of the bacteria that was in her system. Everything is amazing about this girl and God is answering prayers. At the rate Ashtyn is going, and without any hiccups, Ashtyn will be out of the PICU and back to the cancer floor within a week (that's just my opinion). So please pray that she will continue the course without any complications. Your love is being felt here at the hospital. Thank you.

October 19, 2016

Brighton High School is honoring Ashtyn at the Brighton/Bingham football game tonight @ 7:00. It is a Camo out, so wear green or camouflage to represent Ashtyn's Army. A table will be set up selling items. A silent auction for a Steph Curry jersey will be auctioned off. Join Ashtyn's Army tonight during the football game and show your support. *pictures from October 12, 2016

October 19, 2016

Today was a day of prayer and fasting, by many, for Ashtyn to stay on this earth with us. Twenty four hours ago I asked for specific prayers that: 1. her body would perfuse blood and oxygen properly to her tissues and organs. 2. her body would begin to maintain a blood pressure so the epinephrine and norepinephrine could begin to be decreased. 3. the antibiotics would start killing her bacteria. 4. her bowels and all organs would be protected. What blessings did I see because of the hundreds of prayers and fasts given for her? Everything she needed. Ashtyn went from being on the path to death to being on the path to healing. She went from having white, cold, pulseless legs and arms to having warm, blood filled extremities. She started perfusing properly. Simultaneously, with a high continual dose of epinephrine and norepinephrine, her blood pressure's remained stable. As the day progressed on, her norepinephrine dose gradually decreased and is being completely weaned off it. This is indicative that her septic shock is getting under control and her blood vessels are beginning to constrict again. Her body is responding to the antibiotics and beginning to kill the bacterial infection. In the process, no detrimental downfalls have occurred allowing the body to start the healing process. We could not ask for better. The doctors are nothing but impressed with Ashtyn's progress and worded it as "remarkable". We aren't out of the woods yet but she is definitely headed in the right direction. Ashtyn's on life support and many things are being done to keep her alive. One PICU nurse is constantly at her bedside while countless others on Ashtyn's healthcare team work together to do all they can for her. Prayer for the day: Ashtyn is extremely susceptible to getting a new infection as well as having any number of complications. Her body has absolutely no reserves to handle any set backs. Please pray that she will heal without any road blocks. That her kidney, liver, and bowels will be well. And that her body will find balance. She's got this because of your prayers.

October 18, 2016

Faith, prayers, and fasting are saving her. Doctors didn't know if she'd make it through the night. They are currently pleased with her slow progression heading in the right direction. Miracles are happening.

October 18, 2016

All I can do is sit in the PICU next to my daughter hoping that God's will is for her to stay on this earth with us. I've read hundreds of comments from Ashtyn's Army, texts, instagram, and others facebook pages, all praying for her. Truly and sincerely pleading to God for this beautiful girl to have the strength to pull through. I know God lives. I know He answers prayers that are for our best good. He is a God of love. Ashtyn has typhlitis, as suspected, and a gram positive bacteria in her blood. At 6 am on Monday, I turned on the lights and saw that Ashtyn's face was bright red. A clear sign she was heading for septic shock. Her vital signs were still ok. As liters of fluid were push into her central line, Ashtyn was taken in her bed to the PICU. There her blood pressure starting dropping and septic shock set in. A very high dose of norepinephrine, a very high dose of epinephrine, albumin, a heart med, six total liters of fluid, were all needed to keep her alive. She was also intubated on a ventilator and started on a slew of antibiotics. By noon doctors gave us the talk that she may not make it through the night. It is now 2:00 am. For over 14 hours, Ashtyn has been stable in her instability. I know why she hasn't gotten worse. It's because of the hundreds, if not thousands of prayers being poured out to God on her behalf. It is because of the fasts from family, friends, and strangers. It is because we are showing God how much we want and need her here. Please pray that her body will perfuse blood properly to her tissues and organs. Please pray that her body will begin to maintain a blood pressure so the epinephrine and norepinephrine can begin to be decreased. Please pray the antibiotic will start killing her bacteria. Pray her bowels will not perforated or necrose and all her organs will be protected. My family sends so much love and gratitude to you for your prayers and loving Ashtyn like your own.