We've created this blog for family and friends who are worried and concerned about Sam's fight against his serious illness. Sam contracted the H1N1 virus(Swine Flu) about a week and a half ago. He started to get flu symtoms on Tuesday, Nov. 24th which progressed rapidly. On Thanksgiving night, he was admitted into UMC. On Friday he was feeling alitlle better with hydration and meds. On Saturday, his breathing became very labored and ineffectual, so he was transferred to the intensive care unit and was placed on a ventilator. He was sedated and has remained that way since. The next hurdle was that his kidneys werent function properly and so he was placed on continuous dilalysis. He held steady for acouple of days, but then his lungs were no longer able to oxygenate his blood. His oxygen levels dropped to a very dangerous level and the physicians decided to use a risky proceedure in an attempt to get his oxygen levels up. The proceedure is called ECMO, which is the same machine that is used in bypass surgery. It takes the blood from the body, oxygenates it, then returns it to the body. This proceedure has been used effectively in pediactrics, but up to now, has not been widely used on adults. But do to the serious complications of H1N1, it has been successfully used in other areas of the country as well as other parts of the world. So Sam will be on ECMO for at least 7-10 days before they even try to go back to traditional treatments and see how he will do. Currently, he has made very small improvements, but the staff seems hopeful.
So that everyone is aware, right now, Sam is CRITICALLY ILL. The doctors have said that if he is able to make it past this most critical part, he will still very likely be on the ventilator for 4-6 weeks! And then will be very weak and need rehab.
Right now, there is not much that we can do as friends and family except to petition the Lord on his behalf. We ask for your prayers for his comfort and speedy recovery. Thank you! PS I'm not sure how you can post to this blog or send pictures. If you know how to do it, feel free to do so. If you are like me (technologically challenged) send it to my email and I will post it. jkpikyavit@hotmail.com - Jeff and Kristi Pikyavit