Susie-Q&A

• Feb. 13, 2007 - Thank You, Lord!

We have a good report on Jillian today; thank you so much for your prayers!

Katie says that they only dose her with the sedative when necessary, so they have to watch her 24/7 and attend to her needs immediately so she doesn't get agitated and pop the tube out. So obviously, whoever is staying the night with her, whether mom or dad, doesn't sleep very much.

But the good news is that they plan to start weaning her off that uncomfortable vent today! Once she is off the vent, she should be able to go off the medications and go home! Katie said the machine is set at 18 respirations a minute, but that Jillian is breathing over it at 32-36 breaths per minute, and there are more breathing sounds in her lungs every time she is checked.

From Katie:

"The left lung now has some about half way down and the right lung was almost at full capacity yesterday when I left!! WOO HOOO!!"

Thank you for your prayers! Keep it up! Jillian may be able to go home soon.

Thank you, Lord, for your tender mercies toward Jillie and the Bettendorfs.

UPDATE (2/12): From Katie: "Jillian is opening her eyes!!! Jeff made a video of the kids saying hi and Jillian watched it several times last night. He also read her books and books. YEAH!!!"

More good news: X-rays show that her heart is moving back to its proper place.

UPDATE (2/13): God is answering our prayers! thank you, Lord! They have set the ventilator to work only when Jillian initiates a breath. Katie says her respiration rate is now normal for a sleeping four-year-old! Everyone thinks she could breathe fine on her own, but they don't want to pull the vent too soon, to be on the safe side.

Katie has updated her blog with pictures.

ETA: From Katie's blog:

"They don't know specifics of what cancer but they can at least start with the three chemo drugs they always use for tumors in this family. They are saying that they think it is Pleuropulmonary Blastoma."