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Well, my brother –in- law was scheduled for a Heart/Kidney Transplant work up in San Diego, California at the University Hospital there. It is supposed to be one of the best in the country. Things have been a bit crazy and although he had a 2pm appt with the Transplant team there he ended up going through the ER - having had a heart attack. A policeman was in the neighborhood and relived my sister of doing Chest compressions until the Paramedics arrived. In the process he has 8 broken ribs, his heart has stopped multiple times, and he aspirated stomach contents into his lungs. Today is Friday and he is still in. This is my sisters update:
Hi everyone -
I am just going to attempt to recap the day for you and then if I missed someone in my email list please forward as you feel best. Ernie had an appt here in San Diego for an evaluation to see if they would be willing at UCSD to evaluate for a heart/kidney transplant.
He has met most the team through the backdoor. He came in to the ER Monday morning because he passed out and I had to call 911. Short story he had a heart attack, 10 min of chest compressions and his heart stopped once.
So now he is in ICU at UCSD Thornton ctr because this hosp was close and i asked them to bring him here. He was intubated Monday, but improved Tues. Yesterday he had a couple vtach episodes and then after dialysis his lungs seemes to get cranky, so now he is on a CPAP machine and they have discussed doing a bronchioscope to find out what is going on in the lungs, but he has to be intubated to do it safely.
Yesterday he spiked a fever and they are concerned about a possible pneumonia. He has an NG tube to help get fluid off his stomach and his esophagus had a few issues they are concerned about, prob relating to the chest compressions but no one has yet confirmed my theory.
He has 1 or 2 broken ribs due to chest compressions for so long and in quite a bit of pain from that part of the experience.
I have met a large part of the heart transplant team and they said we make quite an entrance. ;). I have met with a social worker, diabtic educator, psychiatrists, tons of cardiologists, Nephrologists for his kidneys, and 3 heart transplant surgeons (Dr Adler, Dr Greenburg, and Dr Bernard.
We asked the Bishop in the area if they could arrange someone to help my dad give a blessing. They sent 2 of the cutest missionaries, very sweet young men...fun to be with missionaries.
Cori's Mission Pres and his wife will be telling Cori what has been going on today. Ernie and I are trusting her decisions.
His heart function (ejection fraction) has dropped from approx a 20% to now approx 10%. He is alert, asking us to scratch his head and get back rubs, he is aware of all that has gone on but is very tired so he forgets and we retell him. He is on Morphine and Ultram for pain mngmt and a strong iv med to boost his blood pressure.
My parents drove out Monday and Ernie's mom flew out so we are all staying at the La Quinta approx 10 minaway, but we get to drive by the San Diego Temple when we come and go from hospital to hotel.
Things change frequently so if you have questions you can call any of us and we will do our best to fill you in.
We feel your prayers and support and love you all. THis journey is a bit bumpy but Heavenly Father has the controls and we are working to improve our faith.
Love Ya, Nelle
This is her update for today:
Morning Everyone!
Just as a quick update on Ernie in case one of us did not get with you yesterday. Ernie has become more stable throughout yesterday. Several corrections on my earlier email include he has 8 broken ribs and it is not a CPAP but a BIPAP machine for his breathing.
They are working to wean him back on to regular nasal canula for his breathing, but he does have a pneumonia from aspirating possibly stomach contents during CPR. He is on antibiotics and working with a lung team. It may take a while to recover from the pneumonia because with 8 broken ribs he isn't able to take as deep of breaths as they would like to help clean it out. But he is working hard to improve.
He got some really good rest finally yesterday after 4ish, of course with the little interruptions....but they did not do any procedures so he got better rest. Couple options they have mentioned are a possible ablation again to find the arrythmia. This may be able to wait until we get home if he responds ok to the increased dosing of amiodorone.
The transplant is off the table for a variety of reasons, but the infection is a major cause at this time. He has some esaphageal damage they are not sure is due to the chest compressions. He still has the NG tube currently.
The hospital allowed us to stay at their Bannister house - it is about 20 min away, but it is a better price.
I spoke with President and Sister Collins yesterday. I had asked they talk to Cori in person about all that has transpired. They were so loving in their kind words of praise of Cori and her missionary efforts. They said they can put her anywhere with anyone and she changes the whole atmosphere and her companions with dramatic missionary results. Her and Sister Donaldson have their YSA branch on fire with missionary work. They expressed Cori's concern and love for her Dad. She did not request to come home. President Collins and Sister Collins expressed their desire to maintain her 'fire' and they will help her through. I will keep them aprised of Ernie and let them help me make decisions on what and when we should tell Cori information. It has been Ernie's desire that she stay on her mission at this time. We all felt this is the right decision and are so proud of her. If you can help us support her with positive encouragement towards her missionary efforts we would appreciate your help. Thanks for all you have already done to help her, especially your prayers.
They are going to do some testing to make sure he does not have a clot in his right leg where the central line is placed today and make a decision on using continuous dialysis for him instead of the other type because it is more gentle. They have helped me understand this a little better and although i am not thrilled he will be on dialysis 24/7 for a few days it is more gentle for his heart and healing.
I can not tell you enough how your prayers are lifting us and helping answer prayers in so many ways. We love you and know of your love for Ernie. He has excellent care from his drs and nurses and they are working hard to keep communications fluid on their expectations and progress. We are very disappointed about the transplant option, but now we know.
We love you! Nelle & Crew
I can’t imagine what it is to be my sister and deal with everything that she has in her 22 year marriage. I have known Ernie for 22 years. He IS my brother. He is an amazing person and I have a great deal of respect for him as a Priesthood Holder and as a person. The things that HE has to deal with is just incredible. To think that they are trying to be grateful for his 8 broken ribs . . . if he didn’t have them, he wouldn’t have been resuscitated multiple times. Tender mercies for sure~~
Make it a great one!!
