Several days ago, we packed up, and got on an airplane to start our new venture. Our plans were to pick up my car in Oakland, and allow my son to experience his very first road trip, by driving cross-country. The morning we arrived in Oakland, my Aunt was supposed to pick us up at the airport. We arrived at 0915. DAY1
0900 I received a message from Kim that she was going to run to her storage to move a couch, and will be there to pick us up as soon as she was done.
0915 I land, and call her, but no answer. Text her, walk down to baggage claim, get our bags, and sit curb side.
1000 Still no answer on her phone. At this point, I'm starting to get a little upset that I can't get through to her. My son, my husband, and I on each of our phones start calling and texting her much more frequently.
1100 Still nothing.... my phone dies. My son begins calling her from his phone, but still no answer. Then, his phone rings, and he picks up. An unknown person is on the other end, and notifies me that they found Kim unconscious at her storage unit, and she is being rushed to the Hospital.
1115 We get into a cab, and rush down to the hospital.
1200 I finally get to go into the E.R. to see Kim. At this point she is conscious, But a little confused, and not sure what is going on. I am the only face she recognizes amongst the crowd of nurses and doctors that are attending to her, asking so many questions all at the same time. I'm completely convinced at this point, that Kim is still in shock, Coming back to consciousness, and completely overwhelmed over the situation.
1400 Dr pulls me aside to fill me in on Kim's situation. They keep telling me that she's REALLY sick.... but I'm not sure what that means. I ask a ton of questions, but those questions can't be answered.... They aren't sure why this is all happening. It doesn't make any sense to them. So they run tests so they can try to diagnose her.
1430 I call a cab, and head to the storage unit down the road, to pick up my car. Head back to the hospital, and call my husband to tell him that I'm not going to be heading on the road, but instead, going to stay there with Kim.
1454 Call my mom, and tell her what's going on, that she should come to CA as soon as she can. Kim is REALLY SICK.
1545 Drs receive test results. She is being moved to the CCU (Critical Care Unit). More tests, are being done. Dr is preparing me for the worst, but are still unsure as to why she is so ill.
1709 I call my husband to let him know that this is a very severe situation. They found an infection inside of Kim, and after several ultrasounds, and multiple tests, they believe her GallBladder is severly infected, and it is leaking fluids into her body. She will need to go into surgery immediately to remove it. They prepare her for surgery. My cousin Mindy arrives at the hospital, and we are both in the room with her. At this point, Kim is up, and very aware of what is going on. She's conversing with us, asking us questions about the kids.... And in true Kim fashion, apologizes, and says she feels bad for US because she knows we are supposed to be heading toward the East. lol. In the most dire situation, she's thinking of others. I love her!
1800-2030 Kim is in surgery. Dr. comes out to inform us that the surgery went well, and that she will be taken back up to CCU. It will be a while til she is able to see anyone, but they are hopeful, that she will start to get better.
2100 We leave the hospital to pick up my mom at the airport who diverted from her trip to be here with us.
2200 Mom gets to see Kim for the first time in CCU. Dr's fill her in the events of the day. It's difficult for my mom to see Kim like this. Flashbacks of the day their mom was hospitalized start to run through my mom's head. Kim lays there heavily sedated. They are unable to stabilize her blood pressure. It is still EXTREMELY too low, and unnormal. She now has a breathing tube assisting her. It's difficult to see Kim laying there helpless, but I pray, and know that God is there with her.
Not much we can do for her tonight, so we find a hotel, check in and try to get some rest.
Day2
0800-0900 Shower, get ready, eat breakfast, check out of hotel, head to hospital
0930 We arrive at the hospital. Dr's immediately update us on Kim's situation. She is in critical condition. They are unable to stabilize her blood pressure, and due to this, they began running more tests on Kim last night.
1136 They find that the infection is still in her body. Tests reveal that liquid is surrounding her heart, and they need to perform emergency procedures to remove the liquid. Dr. describes it like this. The heart sits in a sack, and that sack doesn't expand well. Liquid leaked into that sack and is surrounding her heart. Because the sack is not expandable, it is adding pressure to her heart, and not able to flow blood to it, which is part of the cause of her low blood pressure.
Mom signs a consent form allowing them to perform the procedure. We are informed that she is CRITICAL AND VERY ILL. At this point, I'm tired of hearing that. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? They keep saying that, but can't tell me anything... I need to know something! Dr is straight up with us. Says that Kim is very strong and is a fighter. Tell us that most people in her condition rarely make it through this. Her blood pressure is too low, and her heart is beating too fast. But that's KIM! She's always been a fighter. She does things her way... and does it well! I'm proud of her.... keep fighting Kim! We need you to keep fighting!
Kim receives a delivery of flowers from the EComm team at World Market. We set that in her room bed side.
Around 12ish: They tell us that they had to insert a blood pressure rating monitor into her groin to be able to constantly monitor her pressure. That went well. They were also able to extract about 300cc's of liquid from around her heart. The GOOD News/BAD News game begin.
GOOD News: The heart procedure went well, and as soon as the liquid was removed, Kim's blood pressure went up. They will be sending the liquid to the lab to be tested, to find the cause of the infection.
BAD News: (Dr.'s words): Kim is still critical. There are so many possible causes to her infection. She is extremely ill. Pin pointing the cause of infection is the next priority.
Kim's gallbladder test results came back, and they were unable to find any infection in her gallbladder. (My mom is concerned that they removed her gallbladder for no reason). This is bad news, because they were sure once her gallbladder was removed, she would be on the road to recovery. Since that was not the issue, they still have no prognosis for her. Without a prognosis, Kim is helpless. MUST FIND THE CAUSE!!!
We have extended our stay in CA to be with her. She was moving, and comprehending. She is unable to speak due to the breathing tube, but she is nodding and responding to us.
1400 Kim is sent downstairs to do a CT scan. They need more results.
1500 - 1630 We leave to get some lunch. Since there is nothing we can do until the results come back, we need to nourish our bodies. Within this time, Kim receives a visitor from her friend Tim.
1900 Kim receives another visitor. Amy brings her some flowers, but is told that she is not able to see Kim, and the flowers can't be brought in. After I speak with the nurses, they allow Amy to come in for a few minutes. But the flowers were unable to stay with Kim.
2100 Kim's visits have been restricted, there is no new updates. She is still in critical condition, and the CT scan results will not be back til tomorrow. Her vital signs are still border line, but much better than they were earlier in the day.
2130 We turn in for the evening and head back to the hotel. We call CCU around 2300 to get an update, and Kim has been taken off one of her blood pressure medications, and is doing well so far. Her fever is coming down, temp is at 99.
Please stay tuned for frequent updates on her facebook page, or here in my journal
Day30700 - Nurse's Update:
GOOD NEWS: Kim's blood pressure has been stabilized and her temp is normal. She received a bath this morning, and oral care. She is responding when you call her name, she will open her eyes, and nod.
BAD NEWS: No update on her diagnosis, and prognosis. The drs make their first rounds at about 9am, and will be able to give more information HOPEFULLY at that time.
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