Thursday, March 6, 2008

A Better Morning

Julianne was extubated some time in the wee hours of the morning. We have no idea what time, we just know it was still dark out.  She did fine.  She was happy to see us when she woke up this morning and was back to enjoying pulling her mommy's hair.  Painful for mommy, but if she likes it she can do it. :)

The Neurologists spoke with the stroke doctors about Julianne's symptoms and they agree that these are not symptoms you see with a stroke in the part of the brain in which Julianne had hers.  The only time he'd seen a turned head and eyes was when the stroke was in the Cerebellum (more like the bottom of the brain or brain stem).  The Neurologist told us that adults typically experience symptoms of just bumping into things because they can't see as good on one side.  He also said that adults generally do well with this type of stroke and its reasonable to think that if adults do well a baby would do even better!   As you can imagine, we were happy to hear this. 

The echo results did not show any improvement in Julianne's heart function and they couldn't see much as far as the PICC line is concerned.  Her doctor said yesterday that if they saw a clot on the PICC line it doesn't necessarily mean that it caused the stroke and if they didn't see a clot on the PICC line it doesn't necessarily mean that there wasn't one there that caused the stroke. SO....we guess that wouldn't have helped much anyway.

Please continue to pray for our little pumpkin as the dystonia (eyes and head looking to the left) is still somewhat of a mystery.  The thought is that if it was a Reglan reaction it should be better by now.  It is still responding somewhat to Benadryl though, so its puzzling.  Neurology is still coming by to check Julianne frequently.  Tonight they plan to do an EEG on her.  This is where they will attach lots of wires to her head and record information which will tell them whether or not she's having seizures.  They'll do this over night.

On a fun note, we got to take Julianne for a walk around the CICU today!  It was a HUGE production getting her pumps, monitor and oxygen all arranged to take around the floor with us, but it was worth it.  We enjoyed taking her out.

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and prayer.  It has been so wonderful to know that so many people are supporting and praying for Julianne and for us.   Of course please keep praying for Julianne and please keep us in your prayers, as well.  Its so difficult and sad for us to see all this happening to Julianne.  We wish that WE could protect her but its not up to us.  What we can do is continue to pray for her and show her that her daddy and mommy are here with her and love her very much. :)


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13 comments:

Anonymous said...

God Bless you all...
I'm glad Julianne is responding well with you all. If you havent seen it yet see my comment from your previous post.
I love you all and am glad this was a happier day.

Anonymous said...

A couple verses for you that have seen me through difficult times:

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

We continue to pray deeply for your peace and comfort and Julianne's healing.

Love, The Eptings of Columbia, SC

Anonymous said...

We were excited to hear that you were able to take Julianne for a walk! Also, praise God that the stroke she had does not appear to have any permenant effects. We continue to pray for her heart function and for your strength and comfort. God's plan is perfect even if we can't see how. Take hope and comfort, He is in control. We continue to pray and rejoice with you in each miracle.
love,
Erin C.

Anonymous said...

I am so sad to hear that you all are going thru all this. I can only hope that you will be encouraged by knowing that Giac also had a stroke, seizures, and was on seizure meds for nearly a year...and he is FINE. It is so hard to go thru all the uncertainty -- I can honestly tell you my recovery is still far from complete, tho Giac is 6 months post-Fontan and by all measures doing perfectly well. It is all just so emotionally difficult. Just know that you are not alone, things somehow always turn out better than you fear -- hopefully your faith overcomes your fear better than mine has! Know that we are with you in spirit.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful that you had an interactive day with Julianne today! I hope that has lifted your spirits greatly. Even in the valleys, God seems to give us little gifts along the way. We rejoice with you and continue to pray for healing, comfort and peace. In Him,
paul and sherry z

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to hear that the stroke has not caused much damage.

I am thankful that you all have had some more time to have fun with Julianne before the schedule her surgery again.

I continue to pray for my sweet little great-neice. Also for all of you.
Love Aunt\Great Aunt Suzette

Unknown said...

We're all praying for you. The Caperton's are in the hands of a God who loves them and wants the best for them. Let me know if you have any needs! In His Care, Jim.

Anonymous said...

Praying and sending you this hug ((((((((K,J, J, M, L))))))))
Reading the blog but not so much time for comments. Know that you all are in our thoughts & prayers when ever the Holy Spirit prompts and that is often!

Kelley, Jack and Grace

Anonymous said...

You don't know me but I have been following Julianne's blog as I saw the link on another blog.

Last year we took our 2 month old Julia in for what we thought was a scheduled heart surgery and a 2 week stay in the hospital. 5 months and 3 open heart surgeries later we finally brought her home.

We dealt with the "we don't know exactly what is going on" aspect for weeks on end and I know how difficult that is. Julia also had unexpained decreased heart function and strange neurological symptoms for a long time. Suddenly, one day she started gettig better and today she has no neurological problems and heart heart function is perfect.

Her doc's still can't really explain what happened and why she got better but she did. I pray that your Julianne has the same outcome. She is a strong, beautiful little girl.

Take care of yourself in all this. I know that is the last thing on your mind right now.

Kimberly Diokno, NC

Anonymous said...

So did Julianne wear her leg warmers for her walk??? Thinking of you! The McCrarys

Anonymous said...

Praying for you all right now....

Love --

Leanne Cole

Roxy said...

I am following your story and praying that Julianne will successfully get through this time and make you both the happiest parents for a long time to come.

Anonymous said...

We will continue our prayers and know that god is watching over you all. Please know that we are always here for you.

Your friends at Citrus Creek